“Thank you, Diana.”
“Honestly,” Diana seethed. “That man has some nerve. I’m glad you’re taking a stance against him, Albert.”
Louise hid a grin. She knew her sister-in-law had always hated their father and that he disliked her in equal measure. It was the primary reason why Diana and Albert rarely came to visit, because putting Grasmere in the same room as Lady Linton was like tossing a stick of dynamite into a munitions store. Diana was not the sort of woman who shied away from speaking her mind, which was something Louise had always admired her for.
“It isn’t fair of him to deny my sister the chance she deserves to make her own choice,” Albert said.
“I dare you to say that during the next parliamentary session,” Diana told Albert sweetly. Although he could not hold a position within the House of Lords until he became earl, he’d managed to secure a position within the House of Commons, as a representative of a borough held by his father. “Perhaps you can educate other men with your progressive views.”
“If it were up to me,” Albert said, “you would be able to do so in my stead.”
“Oh, Albert,” Diana said, her voice one of pure delight. “You always know how to make my heart soar.”
He chuckled. Louise ate the rest of her cucumber stick. If she wasn’t mistaken, she had one piece of sliced sausage left at nine o’clock. She jabbed it with her fork and had popped it into her mouth when the Linton butler announced Mr. Berkly’s arrival. Her heart skipped a beat in response to his name, and her stomach turned into a tangled mess.
Which was to be expected.
It made sense she’d be nervous to meet with a man who’d been shunned by thetonand to pin all her hopes on him. And yet, she could not help but do so. The brief explanation he’d offered at Lowell House allowed her to hope for a chance at a normal life without fear. Provided she placed her trust in him.
Louise didn’t think doing so would be hard. He’d sounded more knowledgeable than Doctor Pierson, who’d always seemed to struggle with explanations. For the most part, he’d brush off her questions by saying that eye operations were complicated and required a medical education to understand.
“Shall we?” Albert asked. His hand touched Louise’s shoulder.
“Yes.” Louise pushed her chair back and stood. She glanced in Diana’s direction. “Please excuse us.”
“Of course,” Diana said. “I hope Mr. Berkly will prove himself helpful.”
Louise thanked her and allowed her brother to escort her to the parlor. She stepped inside and glanced around until she caught a movement which she believed must be Mr. Berkly rising from a chair.
“Lord Linton,” Mr. Berkly said, his low voice as calming as Louise recalled. “And Lady Louise. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I believe my sister will tell you in a moment, but first, would you care for some tea or coffee? There’s also brandy and claret if you prefer.”
“I wouldn’t say no to a cup of coffee,” Mr. Berkly said.
“How about you, Louise?” Albert asked. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” She’d no intention of accidentally spilling her tea or worse, relying upon her brother to help her drink in front of Mr. Berkly.
“All right then. If you’d please have a seat, Mr. Berkly.” Albert guided Louise toward the sofa.
Grabbing the armrest, she turned and lowered herself carefully while her brother went to call for a maid. Once comfortably in place, she turned her attention toward Mr. Berkly’s indistinct figure. “I hope we didn’t force you away from your patients.”
“Indeed not,” Mr. Berkly said. “I would have delayed coming here if I’d had a prior appointment.”
Louise nodded. “Thank you for agreeing to meet.” The soft tread of footsteps approaching alerted her to Albert’s return. He sat beside her, ready to help if the need arose. “I’d like to begin by apologizing for the manner in which my father rejected your opinion the other evening. He can be very…direct.”
“Rude would probably be a more apt description,” Albert murmured.
“It’s quite all right,” Mr. Berkly said. “He’s not the first person to disagree with my views.”
Louise angled her head. The barest hint of strain in his voice suggested it took some effort for him to say this instead of agreeing with Albert’s assessment. Mr. Berkly, it seemed, was attempting to be polite when, Louise rather imagined, he’d like nothing more than to make a long list of her father’s shortcomings.
“You mentioned a different approach to treating cataracts,” Louise said, deciding it might be best to get on with her reason for summoning Mr. Berkly. “Could you please explain to me what this would entail?”
There was a pause, and then Albert said, “My sister would like to consider the operation you favor, but after everything she’s been through since birth, she’s wary of making mistakes that could leave her worse off.”
“I understand,” Mr. Berkly said, his voice pensive, “but it’s my understanding your father will never agree to letting me operate on your eyes, my lady. So I don’t quite see what—”
