Still, the physician could be wrong, could he not? Perhaps all this was, was a serious cold. Unwilling to accept his prognosis, Athena asked him directly, “Do you even possess a university education?”
Dr. Donovan gave her a frank stare. “I studied medicine in Edinburgh for five years, during which I apprenticed under Sir Charles Bell.”
“Well then.” Athena gave the young physician a grudging frown. “How would you advise us to proceed?”
“Unfortunately, there is very little we can do besides make him comfortable, ensure he eats, drinks, and receives as much rest as possible. Sleep, sustenance, and keeping his temperature down are the only remedies. The rest will be up to him.”
Jaw tight, Athena clenched her fists and stood. She wanted to throw something at the useless fellow, scream and rail at him until she was hoarse.
“Athena,” Charles warned as if sensing her state of deteriorating calmness, “Dr. Donovan did have to leave a luncheon meeting in order to come here, and having Robert’s condition confirmed is surely of some use.”
She nodded, thanked the physician, and went to help the maid who’d just arrived with a tray filled exactly with what Athena had ordered. Finally, someone who knew how to step in and do what their profession demanded. Athena turned to her brother. “Please let the rest of our family know what is going on. Robert’s mother will need to be informed as well.”
“I’ll return to help as soon as it’s done, so I can be here to offer assistance.”
“No,” Athena told him. “You have children. Exposing you to this illness more than necessary would be reckless. I’ll send word if I need anything.”
“Are you sure?” Charles didn’t look remotely convinced.
“Dr. Donovan,” Athena said. “Would you please inform my brother that there is no reason for two of us to risk our health by remaining here?”
“Indeed, it would be prudent to minimize contact with the patient as much as possible,” he said.
“There you are, Charles. Go home and let me deal with this.”
“You’re sure you can manage?”
“Absolutely.”
With another hesitant glance at Robert’s slumbering form, Charles gave a reluctant nod and departed with the physician. Athena took a fortifying breath and crossed to the table where the maid had left the tray. Picking up the bowl of broth, she returned to the bed, perched herself on the edge of it, and prepared to wake Robert just long enough for him to eat.
With careful movements, she spooned broth into his mouth. He thanked her and begged for cold water to drink, which she gave him.
“Athena, dearest. Is there anything I can do to help?” her mother asked when she came to bring a change of clothes later that evening. She wasn’t alone but had brought Robert’s mother with her. “You look a wreck.”
“I’m fine, Mama,” Athena lied because truthfully, she’d never been more afraid in her life. She gave Lady Darlington a hesitant look. “I’m sorry I didn’t come to inform you of Robert’s illness myself, but I was reluctant to leave his side.”
“You made the right decision,” Lady Darlington assured her.
“We thought we might stay here with you,” Mama said.
Athena shook her head. “Charles already offered to do the same. I sent him away.”
“Well, you’re not getting rid of me,” Mama informed her.
“Nor me,” Lady Darlington added.
“I see no reason for either of you to risk your health,” Athena countered. “I do not want you getting sick too. You ought to go home.”
Her mother crossed her arms and held her position. “It isn’t proper for you to be here by yourself with an unmarried man.”
“As far as I am concerned,” Athena exploded, her fear causing her to abandon all reason, “we are husband and wife. I’ll not let a vicar or a signature stand in the way of my caring for him. I’ll not leave his side.”
A sob wracked her body and she helplessly buried her face in her hands, ashamed of the weakened state she’d been reduced to. This wasn’t her. She was the strong one, the one who barged through life with the constant conviction that things would turn out as they should. Except right now, she wasn’t sure of anything anymore, and she very much feared Robert wouldn’t survive this. He was a strong man, and yet he was so incredibly weak at the moment – could barely speak, never mind eat or drink.
Her mother’s arms came around her and for the first time in years, she allowed herself to accept the support being offered. “I understand, Athena. Lord help me, I understand you better than you can imagine.”
“I know, Mama.” Her mother had lost a child once to smallpox. Claire had been Sarah’s twin.
