“They don’t want us to know them. We had to force them to allow us into Canton.”
Max grimaced. “I’m aware.” Then his gaze lifted to his friend’s. “What if they have medicines, treatments, ways to combat things we don’t understand?”
“I’m sure they do. The world is too large for England to have discovered everything first.”
“Why not bring that information back to us?”
“How?”
“With a Chinese apothecary shop in London. With Chinese doctors who will teach us.”
Benedict snorted. “Where will you find English doctors willing to learn from heathens?”
“There has to be a few whose pride will not get in the way. Young women, if no one else.”
“Women!”
“Why not? Lady Kimberly’s knowledge far surpasses many doctors. Surely you don’t believe that only men can learn such things.”
Benedict chuckled. “Oh, I have a great deal of faith in the intelligence of women.” He abruptly leaned forward. “Very well, I shall support you in this endeavor.”
Elated, Max grinned. “Really? How?”
Benedict shrugged. “I know of several people open to new elixirs, special teas, all sorts of cures. Provided she doesn’t kill anyone, I can nudge them her way.”
“An excellent idea.” And one that he’d already had. It was the reason he’d brought up the topic in the first place.
“But I have a condition.”
“Yes?”
At this, his friend looked decidedly uncomfortable. He took refuge in his brandy and then looked at a point somewhere over Max’s left shoulder. “I can no longer refuse to wed. My parents are aging, and…” He sighed. “Like you, I cannot in good conscience leave England until I have an heir.”
Max nodded. It was the same problem he faced every day. “How can I help?”
“I have found a woman perfect to my needs. I respect who she is and believe she will make me an excellent wife.”
“I cannot wait to meet this paragon of virtue.”
“She is a midwife.”
Max nearly choked on his brandy. He had nothing against midwives, in general. Indeed, he thought them important women providing a vital service to those who could not afford a proper doctor. But the idea of a peer of the realm marrying one shocked him to the core.
“You mean to marry her?”
“Yes.”
“Your father will never allow it. Your mother—”
“They will have no say in this. The lady has an adequate pedigree.”
“Then she cannot really be a midwife.”
“And yet, she is.” His gaze fixed on Max. “I need your help in hiding her activities.”
“You want her to continue?”
“I want her occupied with something other than gossip, parties, and mucking about in my affairs.”
