“For my personal enjoyment,” Dr. York said. “And scientific knowledge.”
A moment of thick silence stretched. She could bet everyone was thinking the same—rubbish.
She huffed. “Dr. York, please. What are you doing?”
The solicitor didn’t even glance at her. “Are you ready to put your declaration on paper?” Mr. Simmons handed him yet another document produced from his leather bag.
“Absolutely.”
“Oliver,” Perry said. “Don’t.”
Dr. York shut him up, lifting a hand. “I had to confess. The truth was weighing me down.” He wrote on the piece of paper under the watchful eye of the solicitor.
“Dr. York, please,” she said. “Don’t do this.”
“Please, Miss Winkworth, don’t interfere. Now you know why you felt dizzy and nauseous that night. It was my fault.”
Mr. Simmons read Dr. York’s confession and added his signature. “Very well. Everything seems in order.”
“So is the contract invalid now?” she asked, sceptical.
“Well, I have to deposit and file Dr. York’s confession to my barrister’s office and have it examined by a judge, but I guess the contract isn’t valid.”
She grinned at Dr. York, who flushed red, fiddling with his collar.
“Naturally,” Mr. Simmons added, “Dr. York’s medical licence will be reviewed by the barrister and most likely rescinded today. Should Miss Winkworth wish to press charges against Dr. York I suggest she visit the nearest police station. I’ll supply a copy of the confession for Miss Winkworth’s perusal.”
“Excuse me?” Dr. York said.
Mr. Simmons stared at him as if Dr. York were a particularly slow dog. “You drugged an unaware woman without her consent, without a proper, previous medical examination just for your entertainment. Miss Winkworth could have died as a result of the drug injection. There could have been unexpected effects on her health. You’ll agree with me, Dr. York, that this behaviour is particularly despicable, not to mention dangerous, for a medical professional, and against your Hippocratic oath. The Royal Medical Council will be notified immediately of your deplorable conduct and take any actions they see fit for your case, which will certainly include a hefty fine, the revocation of your license to practice, and depending upon the barrister, you may be facing imprisonment, no matter what Miss Winkworth does with the charges.”
Dr. York paled. “But…”
“Unless,” Mr. Simmons said, sweetening his voice, “you wish to retract your statement.” He pushed Dr. York’s written declaration towards him. “Your choice, Dr. York.”
“Dr. York,” Edith said at the same time as Perry said, “Oliver, think carefully.”
“Mr. Simmons,” Edith said. “Dr. York is lying. Obviously. He didn’t drug me. For goodness’ sake, the whole story is ridiculous. He would never drug anyone.”
“I can confirm that,” Perry said. “Oliver is the best man I know.”
The solicitor shrugged. “Your opinion doesn’t matter, I’m afraid. If Miss Winkworth was indeed drugged, as Dr. York claims, then her memories aren’t reliable, and Lord Ravenscroft, your judgement is biased and unsubstantiated.”
Dr. York’s lips quivered, but then he straightened. “It’s my decision. No, I will not withdraw my statement. That’s what happened. Miss Winkworth’s contract is null, and… and Lord Neville’s claims are invalid. Lord Ravenscroft will keep his title.”
Mr. Simmons let out a long breath. “As you wish.” He collected the documents and rose. “Good day, my lord, Miss Winkworth, Dr. York.”
The moment he shut the door behind him, Dr. York covered his face with his hands.
“Oh, Dr. York, you shouldn’t have done that.” Edith patted his shivering shoulder. “It was very brave of you, but…” A sob escaped her, too. A good man lost his profession to protect her. “I’m so sorry.”
“Ollie.” Perry hugged his friend, patting his back. “What the hell were you thinking?”
Dr. York wiped his face with a handkerchief. “What choice did I have?”
“Wait for me to talk to my solicitor,” Perry said. “Make a plan together.”
“I couldn’t let you renounce your title or let Miss Winkworth be blackmailed by your uncle. Although I admit I didn’t think my plan through. Oh, well. I guess it’s my fault.” Dr. York’s face was ashen.
