five
Five years later
AFTER FIVE BLOODY years in a small town in the middle of the Alps, where even the birds never chirped too loudly and the thunder apologised for its booms, Perry wasn’t used anymore to the loud chaos and crowds of London.
He’d returned to London a few days ago after a tortuous, painful trip through the Continent that made him question how people could travel for enjoyment.
Nothing in London seemed familiar. Not even his house. The city had turned into a vast, chaotic metropolis with too many carriages and people who were always in a hurry.
He wondered if he’d recognise Edith. She was a Doctor of Medicine now, and he looked forward to congratulating her in person.
Drinking his tea, he watched Belgrave Square from the window and winced at the crowded pavement. People nearly jostled each other so packed the streets were. He would shout if someone bumped into him. How he’d managed to be around so many people and even find it pleasurable, he couldn’t fathom.
“Good morning, Perry.” Oliver, his best friend and personal physician, strolled inside the dining room.
“Have you recovered from the trip?”
His speech was nearly flawless now, only a little hesitant. Lots of practice, determination, and patience worked miracles. Especially since he took the opportunity to learn German to exercise his speech. Just pronouncing the name of the town where the clinic was—Eichhörnchenstadt, literally, Town of the Squirrels—had been his main speech exercise for weeks.
Oliver arched his back, his hand on his hips. “I still feel sore. We took literally every type of transport humans have created since the dawn of time. All that up and down those bloody mountains. Now I understand why nobody wants to invade Switzerland.”
“Have some excellent English tea, the cure-all.”
“How are you today?” Oliver took out a notepad and a pencil from his pocket and waited for Perry’s reply before writing.
Always the same question. “I’m tired of London already. I didn’t remember the air being so thick with smoke.”
“Yes, that’s all fascinating, but you know what I mean. I need data, data, and more data. I can’t make bricks without clay. Nausea, headache, anxiety, tingling?” Oliver stuffed a piece of buttered scone in his mouth.
“Trouble sleeping.”
“Interesting.” Oliver scribbled that piece of information on his notepad. “Anything else?”
“No, I’m quite all right. Just annoyed by the noise.”
“Irritability,” Oliver muttered while writing. “Mobility?”
“My left leg becomes a little numb sometimes.”
“Hmm.” Oliver took note of that as well. He’d been diligently recording Perry’s life for the past four years. Everything from what Perry ate to how many hours he slept and how his mood changed. “Great. If the horrible trip didn’t break you, you have an excellent chance of being able to do everything you want. I think you’re ready for your debut in polite society as the new Earl of Ravenscroft.”
Perry nearly spilt his tea. “Not bloody likely. Too soon.”
“Nonsense. You can’t escape your duties.”
“The fact I’m the earl now doesn’t change anything. I don’t have to change my habits.”
Oliver pointed the pencil at him. “It changes everything. You must accept your new reality and embrace it. Think about me as well. Me, Dr. York, the official physician of the Earl of Ravenscroft. It has a nice ring to it.”
“No. It’s too early. I still hope Albert will change his mind. Hell, I’m sure he’ll change his mind and come to his senses. His decision was a fleeting affair.”
“Really?” Oliver sorted through the pile of letters and messages resting on a silver tray. “Did you take a look at the correspondence arrived yesterday?”
“Only to check if Miss Winkworth sent a message.”
But she hadn’t. Likely, she was busy being a doctor. He was so proud of her. Dr. Edith Winkworth.Thathad a nice ring to it.
He’d buy a plaque with her new title for her to hang on her study door. In fact, celebrating her success was one of the reasons that convinced him to return to London now.
