“And how did your grandmother fare?” Louise asked with eager anticipation. So far, she’d only Mr. Berkly’s and Lord Redding’s assurances to go by, but now she was actually meeting someone whose family member had undergone the same treatment she’d decided to attempt.
“Very well,” Mr. Winterly said. “The recovery took time, but we knew that would be the case so Papa was prepared. He and his mother remained in France for one month following the surgery, during which she had to lie in a dark room with bandages over her eyes. But after that, they returned home and as time went on, her sight improved so much she was able to knit and embroider again, which were things she’d given up years before having the surgery performed.”
Gratified by this, Louise took another careful sip of her tea.
“We sympathize with your situation,” Mrs. Winterly said, “and believe you ought to be given the best treatment available.”
“So you’ll help?” Diana asked.
“We’d like to,” Mr. Winterly said, “but what about Grasmere?”
“My father will be furious with anyone who helped me, so I understand if you don’t want any part in this, even if I am the one who will face the brunt of his wrath.”
“There’s no other way?” Mrs. Winterly inquired.
“Have you met Lord Grasmere?” Diana asked.
“As a matter of fact,” Lady Winterly said. “I found him…”
When the lady failed to find the right word Louise said, “If I return home I lose the only chance I have of restoring my eyesight according to my wishes.”
“While it’s not really our place to interfere in a parent’s decision regarding a child,” Mr. Winterly said, “I firmly believe you deserve a say when it comes to your own health.”
Mrs. Winterly nodded. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as necessary, and if your father does turn up, you may rely upon our support.”
Louise was immensely grateful. She wasn’t sure they’d have a foot to stand on against her father, but she appreciated the sentiment. When he arrived, as she had no doubt he would at some point, he would be armed with angry remarks and threats – mostly aimed at her. Because the truth was, he had the right to deny her the dowry she needed to marry, or the allowance she’d come to rely on, not to mention the comfortable life he paid for.
By defying him, Louise might forfeit all of it, and what then? Where would she go and what would she do – how would she ever survive – if he chose to disown her? It was a major concern, though not one severe enough to stop her.
Come what may, at least she’d be able to see.
“Now that that’s settled, perhaps you’d like some time to freshen up after your journey,” Mrs. Winterly said. “I can show you upstairs to your rooms.”
“Thank you, Mama, but I have to be on my way,” Diana said. The clinking of china suggested she’d set her teacup aside. “If I’m not at the cottage with Albert when Grasmere shows up, the earl will have no trouble figuring out where to search for Louise next. But if my husband and I are together, it won’t be so easy to do. Hopefully, we’ll manage to think of additional ways in which to delay him.”
“Well.” Mrs. Winterly sighed. “We’ll be sorry to see you go.”
“But we understand your reasoning,” Mr. Winterly said. “And we shall do our best to make sure Louise and Mr. Berkly’s stay is comfortable.”
“Your hospitality is most generous,” Mr. Berkly said.
“Thank you,” Louise added, doing her best to keep her voice steady. “I’m indebted to all of you.”
“Oh,my dear,” Mrs. Winterly said, “we’re more than happy to have you.”
“As you know,” Diana said, “Albert and I wish you the best, which is why we’re doing this in the first place.”
“And it is my sworn duty to help people regain their sight as long as I am able to do so,” Mr. Berkly said. “To turn my back on you would be unthinkable.”
“Thank you,” Louise managed again, emotion clogging her throat even as Mr. Berkly’s words filled her with disappointment. Stupidly, she disliked the idea of being a duty to him - no different from any other patient for whom, it seemed, he’d have done the same. Which was properly ridiculous given the brief time she’d known him. Of course she was just a patient and he just a surgeon hired to do a job. That was their relationship. To suppose anything else simply because they’d met at a ball and because she thought him attractive would be idiotic.
Especially since she loved someone else.
She expelled a deep breath and squared her shoulders. If all went well, the operation would be a tremendous success, she’d return to London with renewed confidence in herself, and encourage Mr. Fairbanks to court her.
5
“May I have a word with you,” Marcus asked Lady Louise that evening after supper. He’d enjoyed a post dinner drink with Mr. Winterly in the library, and had now joined the ladies in the parlor.
