“Remember how I was whinging to you about my uncle’s change in fortune? Well, that evening when I went back to my room, thinking I’d clear out by morning, the landlord pulled me aside.” The boy’s eyes twinkled as he perched on the edge of theseat. “He says that as long as I’m studying to be a doctor, I’ll have room and board at the Bullwithout charge!”
“What?” Alwyn feigned shock. “But the man’s a skinflint! How did he explain such madness?”
“It seems his sister nearly died last year, and I bear a remarkable resemblance to the doctor who cured her.” Sliger laughed out loud.
Alwyn nearly snorted.A life-saving doctor who looks like this young shaveling?
He had not expected the dirty-aproned fellow to be so inventive, nor so ridiculous, while taking credit for such largesse.
“Ah, trots!” Sliger said suddenly, his joy dimming. “I don’t sound as if I’m gloating, do I?”
“Not at all! I’m very pleased for you.”
“Thank you. He wants me to stay quiet about it – says if every student comes clambering for such charity he’ll lose his inn – but I had to tellsomeone, and you seemed the proper choice.”
Yes, certainly the ‘proper choice’ to hear how that particular story played out.Alwyn smirked to himself, then asked what Sliger had told his family about the surprising turn of events. The boy recounted the letter he had written in much detail, then started to tell another story when the carriage suddenly swayed to a stop.
Looking out of the window, Alwyn saw an unfamiliar row house, and the gravity of his situation hit him full force once again.
Did I bring everything I need?He fumbled with his satchel, fighting the ridiculous idea that when he opened it, he would find a collection of toys whittled out of wood rather than his doctoring instruments.
The carriage door opened, and the footman urged, “Just this way.”
Forgetting all else, Alwyn followed him through the servants’ entrance, past a warren of rooms, to arrive in the front hall. There, a woman was descending the staircase. Seeing her ashen face, he realized he had met her before — in Trippingham at the start of Mrs Everson’s convalescence. Coming towards him was none other than the aunt of Miss Belinda Everson!
“Mrs Caspar,” he murmured, bowing.
“Oh! Thank you for coming so quickly.” She glanced just beyond him, a question in her eyes.
Following her gaze, Alwyn saw that Sliger had followed him in and was standing close by.
Blast! She was expecting Dr Felix, not his unseasoned assistant with a naïf in tow!
But Mrs Caspar said nothing of it, grasping at Alwyn’s sleeve. “Please. Up here.”
Motioning to Sliger that he ought to stay put, Alwyn let her draw him up the stairs. As they started down the hallway, he said, “Mrs Caspar, Dr Felix is presently in Yorkshire, but I have come to help you in any way that I can.”
“I am very thankful to see either of you in this moment. My husband is quite unwell.” Tears glittered in her eyes as she opened a bedroom door.
Heartened by her confidence, Alwyn took a deep breath and stepped inside the room.
Precisely Here
THOUGH SHE HEARD voices out in the front hall, Belinda could not discern whose they were, nor what they said. A moment later, there was the creak of stairs, followed by the sound of floorboards being trod overhead.
They’ve gone up,she thought, but remained rooted to the cushion, clutching the embroidery hoop until her hands began to ache.
Look at me, hiding myself away!She secured her needle and laid the tambour aside.Why must I lose my head at the thought of facing Mr Alwyn?
Though her legs felt likeblancmange, she rose and went to open the library door, just slightly. She peered out and her heart leapt into her throat.
A young man was standing in the front hall.
She quickly realized, however, that he was most certainlynotMr William Alwyn, and a curiousmélangeof relief and disappointment pooled in her belly. This fellow appeared to be only a bit taller than she was herself, and had a rather messy thatch of straw-coloured hair.
Has Dr Felix taken on a second apprentice? But then why did he not take him upstairs with him?
The man – or boy, really – looked as if he did not quite know what to do with himself as he stood there all alone.
