22
The tea Samantha had asked for wasn’t helping.She still felt wretched.Since she rarely suffered from any kind of ailment, this troubled her.It made her worry it wasn’t the pie but that something might be physically wrong.In which case Adrian’s idea she see a physician had merit, provided the man was the competent sort.
Adrian had always consulted Wentworth, but with him held at Bow Street until further notice, she’d have to find someone else.Doctor Moore came to mind.He’d recently treated Isak and had done so well.However, to meet with him would require a trip to St.George’s.Since Adrian planned on going there to speak with Fellowes, she would rather avoid the location and the questions her husband might ask.No point in needlessly worrying him.
She summoned Elks and asked if he could recommend a physician, then told him to let Murry know he was to join her for an outing.The least she could do was adhere to Adrian’s wishes that she not seek danger alone.
Finn O’Leary still posed a threat.Considering the ease with which he’d crossed paths with her at night, she knew he’d have no trouble finding her during the day.Should that happen, she’d rather not be alone.
Besides which, Preordian and Islington had yet to be apprehended.Until that happened – until she was sure all the doctors who had supplied the surgeon with victims had been rounded up – she wouldn’t trust any physician.
“Does Croft know you’re feeling unwell?”Murry asked as they travelled to Mansfield Street by carriage.
“Yes.”A brief response was all she could manage.The constant sway of the carriage made her feel so much worse.
“Does he also know you plan to see a physician?”
“No.”
“I’ll have to tell him.”
She nodded, then closed her eyes and tried to breathe past the nausea.She would share the details with Adrian later anyway.After he’d finished his interviews.When he could afford to be distracted by something else.Hopefully by nothing.She prayed it wasn’t a problem requiring surgery, though she was swiftly reaching a point where she’d happily submit to such a thing if it saved her from feeling this awful.
They reached the address Elks had provided and alighted.Samantha approached the door and knocked while Murry remained behind her.There, but on alert.Protecting her from any form of possible danger.
The door opened and a young man appeared.Samantha estimated him to be roughly her age.
“Yes?”he inquired.
She smiled politely.“I’m here to see Doctor Wolf.”
The young man studied her briefly, then asked, “Do you have an appointment with him?”
“No.I didn’t realize I…” Dizziness overcame her.She planted her palm against the wall of the house and waited for it to pass.
“You should come inside,” the young man told her, his voice filled with concern.“Doctor Wolf is with another patient right now, but I’m sure he’ll make time to see you immediately after.”
Samantha nodded her thanks and entered the building.Murry followed her into the foyer and then to a room that would have served as a parlor had the house not been used as a medical office.
Instead, two sofas and four chairs were pushed up against the walls.A table in the middle of the room held a couple of newspapers.Landscape paintings displayed on each wall were the only decorative items the room had to offer.It was a space intended for patients to sit while they waited to see the physician.
Samantha approached the nearest chair.
“May I have your name?”the young man inquired.
“Mrs.Croft,” said Murry when Samantha failed to reply.
“A pleasure,” the young man responded.“I’m Doctor Wolf’s eldest son and secretary.Mr.Wolf, that is.”He tilted his head and considered Samantha who’d managed to claim her seat.“Would you like some tea or something to eat?”
“No.”She shook her head.The very thought made her gag.
“I’ll be right back,” Mr.Wolf informed her.He sent Murry a quick glance and left.When he returned a few seconds later, he brought a ceramic pot with him.“In case you need to cast up your accounts, it’s best if we can contain it.”
She took the pot which was white with pretty blue flowers painted upon it.Holding it actually made her feel slightly better.Less worried at least about making a mess.“Thank you.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I must return to the examination room and lend my assistance,” Mr.Wolf said.“Should you need anything else however, do let me know.It’s just through there.If you knock on the door I’ll answer.”
Mr.Wolf sent Murry another glance, then left.
