Page 5 of The Gentleman Physician

“Thank you, I am certain Emily and I will get on well.” Julia nodded, grateful for her cousin’s thoughtfulness.

“If there is anything you need, you have but to ask Mrs. Fairchild or Thurston.” Virginia gestured to the housekeeper and butler respectively.

The other servants were introduced and then dismissed to their duties.

“Now, come this way while your things are taken to your room.” Virginia looped her arm through Julia’s and they went up the stairs and down the connecting hall, barely giving Julia time to take in her surroundings.

The townhouse, adjoined to its neighbors, felt like any other fine home Julia had visited. The furnishings were fashionable, the paintings on the walls tasteful, the plush rugs luxurious to walk upon. Most of the trappings belonged to the owner, as a family leasing the property would not dress a temporary home in such elegant things.

Virginia led the way into a light, airy room with cream-colored paper upon the walls and delicate furnishings in beautiful shades of blue. With the lace curtains tied back, light poured in from windows facing the street.

“Please, do be seated,” Virginia invited, somewhat breathlessly as she took her own place upon a settee. “I am sorry to rush you, but I have been anxious for your company ever since my mother wrote of the decision to bring you here.”

Moving more slowly, still attempting to gain a firm grasp of the house and situation, Julia nodded and lowered herself into a chair near the fireplace. “I must be truthful, Virginia. I did not think to find such a positive welcome. I was told of this visit two weeks ago and then sent upon my way. But to find you amiable to the idea relieves me on many accounts. I am an unexpected visitor.”

Virginia waved a hand dismissively. “That is the way of our parents, I am afraid. They thrust their plans upon us and we adjust. I am only pleased Mother thought to send you instead of one of my relatives on Father’s side. I have many fond memories of you and our time spent together before my marriage.” Virginia’s lips pulled tightly closed and she glanced away, her throat constricting in a tight swallow.

In that instant, a thought struck Julia with perfect clarity. Her dear cousin’s warmth, her eagerness, stemmed from deeper emotions she did not show to others. The baron’s illness must be more severe than Julia had been told.

Though not anxious to confirm that suspicion, she needed to understand the situation in the home if she was to help. Julia spoke with gentleness.

“I have happy memories of our time together, too. I hope we will be able to make more while I am here. However, you must know I have not come to be an added burden upon you. I am not seeking entertainment. You have always been one of my dearest friends and I wish to help you. Please. Tell me. How are you? How is your husband?”

Virginia tipped her chin up, a carefully constructed, cheerful expression in place. “He is having a very good day today.”

Julia moved to sit next to her cousin on the settee and put her hand upon Virginia’s arm. Though Virginia was five and twenty, Julia had often found herself in the role of adviser to her cousin in years past.

“And how are you, Ginny?” The pet name slipped out naturally.

Virginia’s smile faltered, and she bit her bottom lip. Then her facade melted away completely and sorrow manifested itself in her eyes and the downturn of her lips.

“I am miserable,” she whispered. Tears filled her eyes and she slumped forward, covering her face with both hands.

Julia took a deep breath, forgetting about her desire to rest in a comfortable bed, and put an arm around her cousin’s shoulders.

“Tell me,” she said, keeping her tone gentle. “You need not fear I will tell tales to anyone else. I am here for you, Virginia. Let me help if I can.”

For half an hour, Virginia spoke in halting words of her husband’s illness. Consumption, the dreaded killer. The doctor had no hope for the baron. The children were not permitted to be in the same room with him above a few minutes, lest they become ill as well. The household functioned, but Virginia felt empty and spent at the end of each day, and fully alone.

“I am to lose my husband,” she said, dabbing delicately at her eyes with a handkerchief. “What will become of me? Of the boys?” A bittersweet expression quirked her lips upward. “Oh, I know there is an inheritance for them. A stipend for me. But they will not have their father to mold them, and I will be without his companionship, his care. A widow.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “And he bears it with courage, making arrangements for his own funeral.” She shook her head and a humorless laugh escaped her. “He is the best of men. Charles is a good husband and father.”

Julia nodded and listened, only murmuring words of sympathetic encouragement when her cousin faltered in her speech. Truly, she did not know how best to offer comfort, but she hoped being present and willing to listen would be enough to start.

“You said doctor. Is there only one? Aunt’s letter made it sound as if you had an army of them.”

“At present, there is one.” Virginia admitted, albeit shakily. “There were many when we first arrived. I think I had every physician in Bath call on us. But their promises were ridiculous and some of their methods even more so. The blood-letting didn’t work. Some only tried to administer treatment our apothecary, in the country, attempted. One dosed him on mercury, which only made Charles weaker.”

She shuddered, then continued. “Our current doctor, he is a wonder. He told us, with complete frankness, that the illness is too far progressed. Nothing can be done, but we may ease the symptoms and give solace in the time we have left. Charles has always admired honesty and frankness. We dismissed the other doctors and retained Doctor Hastings.”

Julia’s hand stilled where it had been lightly patting her cousin’s hand and her spine tensed.

“Doctor Hastings?” The name came out strangled and she cleared her throat. “He sounds like a fine man indeed.”

A fine man with blue eyes, perhaps? And a smile that melted a woman’s resolve to act with polite indifference? It could not be her Nathaniel. Hastings was a common enough name, and she did not know that Nathaniel had actually become a doctor, though he’d begun his medical studies when she met him. No. She refused to allow the baron’s physician to be the same man.

Virginia’s words pulled her from her thoughts. “Yes, and he has such helpful ideas and treatments. Charles slept soundly through the night for the first time in ages, thanks to Doctor Hastings. And he insists we keep the sickroom clean and that everyone wash upon entering and before exiting, something he learned in Scotland. No one else has fallen ill following his advice.” She dried her eyes thoroughly and attempted a confident tilt of her head before continuing.

“But these are things you need not worry about at present.” Virginia’s voice no longer held false cheer, but determination. “I have detained you in this room long enough. You should freshen up, rest before dinner. If you are up to it, after all the burdens I have cast upon you, I would love to introduce you to my sons. They are excited to have a new person to show all their tricks to.”