by Fanny Walsh
“Did your attending physician grant any opinions regarding your long-term recovery or options after your… accident?” he asked, hoping that might coax more information about the incident from her.
She hesitated a moment before speaking.
“No. He said that my leg was hopeless, and that the best I could hope for was to use a cane for mobility and a gradual decrease from excruciating pain to a dull ache, likely for the rest of my days.”
Duncan frowned. “He did not recommend that you seek the advice of a surgeon, then?” he asked.
“No,” she said.
This angered Duncan. While he was still relatively new at medicine, he knew that surgery had made great strides in recent decades. He also knew that broken bones were often far from hopeless.
He restrained himself from asking her the name of this ignorant physician, unsure if she would have even told it to him.
Now, it was he who hesitated. He did not want her to think that he thought her dull for believing her own doctor. He just wanted to give her some hope.
He took a few minutes to search for the right words. He noticed that she studied him with interest as he cleaned and bandaged her wounds. He had removed her shoe and stocking, and the intimate contact had brought a flush to her cheeks.
Duncan felt intensely nervous. He was a doctor, but he had never found himself attracted to one of his patients. He had treated many beautiful women, but none of them had made him feel as clumsy as Lady Linden just then.
He silently cursed himself for these feelings, knowing how unprofessional they were. He focused intently on wrapping her ankle with a bandage.
He spared a glance at the lady and saw that she was still watching him with mild intrigue.
“Do you have an interest in learning medicine?” he asked.
“Oh, heavens no. Could you imagine what people would think of me, then?”
“Why? Because a woman of noble birth wished to pursue a career in medicine?” he asked, a defensive tone creeping into his voice.
Mary looked at him innocently. “Because any woman dared to consider such a manly ambition,” she said.
Duncan softened. “Then those people know nothing of the medicine women of which many medical texts speak.”
“I suppose not. But, in high society, any woman who attempted to step into a man’s role would be shunned, even mocked. Especially if she were suffering from an apparent physical deformity.” Her voice dropped to just above a whisper as she spoke.
Duncan realized her discomfort with the subject of her leg. He chastised himself for pushing the subject.
“So, Lady Linden, what brings you into town?” he asked, hoping to distract her from her woes. Instead, she grew paler than ever.
“I had business with my father’s business partners,” she said, trying to look brave.
Wincing, Duncan cursed himself for his utter lack of grace in the company of women. If his father had witnessed this painful exchange, he would have surely given up on his son’s ability to claim a wife, and run straight to Theodore, papers in hand ready to sign.
He turned away from her to collect more bandages. Although he was nearly finished and did not need more, he did not want her to see the wretched humiliation on his face.
She was silent for a moment, and Duncan feared that he had ruined the conversation beyond all repair. When he dared turn back to her, she had a thoughtful look on her face.
“Forgive my hesitation, Dr. Winstanley,” Lady Linden said. “I have just been trying to recall from where I know you.”
The idea of her recalling that his father was an earl terrified him. He hoped that she had only seen him at a social event and was unaware of who his father was.
“Perhaps we met briefly at a ball some years ago?”
“Perhaps,” she mused, “but that does not feel entirely correct.”
His stomach dropped. “Have I ever seen you before in my office?”
“Oh, no. The only physician I have seen since my childhood was… the one who tended me after the accident that injured my leg. And I would surely remember a doctor with as kind a demeanor as yours.”
She seemed hesitant to mention the name of this physician, although he could not imagine why.
“You flatter me, my lady,” he said, dipping his head.
The lady blushed as though she had said something untoward. “Oh, my. Surely, your wife would not appreciate such a remark from another woman.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Lucky that there is no woman in my life with any cause for grievance.”
“Oh,” she said. Duncan wondered at the strange glimmer in her eyes.
“And, do not fear,” he added, “I shall not tell your intended that you complimented your physician.”
“No man would want me with this hideous leg of mine…” she said ruefully. “Doctor, you never did tell me what it was you wanted to say about my leg.”
This time, her subject change did not discourage him. Rather, the news she had just delivered had given him hope.
Suddenly, the idea of courting did not seem so terrible, if it were a woman such as the one before him. He wondered how she had stricken this effect in him.
He tried again to compose himself. He did not know how Lady Linden would receive his words, but he truly felt that he could help.
Moreover, he wanted desperately to help her. He chose his next words carefully, praying he did not offend her.
“I believe that I could re-break the bone and set it, in such a way that it would heal properly.”
Mary looked at him, astonished. “You suggest putting me through all that pain again?”
“I know, it sounds crude. And yes, short-term it would be uncomfortable,” he said, now wishing he could disappear through the floor. “However, in the long-term, it would heal as it should have, and be much less painful.”
She continued to stare at him, her expression unchanging. “I say that sounds like a drastic solution. Would I be able to walk again, without my cane?”
Duncan sighed. “That is not guaranteed,” he admitted. “That would depend a great deal on how you cared for yourself after the procedure.”
“In that case,” she said firmly, “I say thank you for the suggestion, but I must decline.”
His face fell. He knew he had lost any trust she might have ever placed in him. He smiled at her weakly.
“I understand,” he said. He turned from her again to put away his unused bandages, trying to hide his shame.
“Doctor, I can see that you only meant to help,” she said, the warmth returning to her voice.
“I am glad,” he said, daring to look at her face. Her kind smile lit up the room, and he again admired her beauty.
“I am afraid that I must be going if I wish to be home before nightfall,” she said apologetically.
“Of course. I am sorry for having kept you so long. Before you leave, I shall give you an address where you can contact me, should you change your mind about the procedure. Or, should you need my services again.”
Mary smiled. “Thank you, doctor. You are too kind.”
He hastily scribbled his address on a piece of paper and handed it to her. Then, he walked her to the entrance. Her maid came immediately to her side.
“Thank you for taking such good care of me,” Lady Linden said with genuine gratitude.
“You are most welcome, my lady,” he said with a smile.
She offered to pay him and he adamantly refused until she relented. Then, he watched her go, secretly hoping that she would call on him for any reason at all.
Chapter 5
At last, they were back in the carriage and headed for home. She relished the comfortable silence of traveling with Susan, because it allowed her time to recall from where she knew the handsome young Duncan Winstanley.
It did not take her long. Unless she was mistaken, Winstanley was the name of the Earl of Bellston. She believed that her father had had many dealings with him. That meant that Doctor
Winstanley was the Earl’s son – the Viscount of Tornight if she wasn’t mistaken - set to inherit his father’s titles and land when the Earl died.
The realization surprised her. She would not have pegged Duncan for an earl’s son. Most of the men with a station equal to her own were arrogant and determined to try for her hand in marriage simply for her title.
However, Duncan had been kind and compassionate, and except for after his initial reaction when she introduced herself, he seemed unaffected by her title.
She thought about his gentle professionalism. Then, she recalled the way she had complimented him and she flushed, embarrassed.
In that instant, she felt certain that his continued kindness to her had been only of professional interest. Oh, what a fool she had made of herself! She could never allow herself to face him again.
However, she could not help smiling as she recalled his expression as he discussed the condition of her leg. He reminded her of a disheveled, excited child, with his unruly strawberry blond hair standing rebelliously, but attractively, on his beautiful head.
How he had managed to seem so unsure of himself and so devilishly charming all at once, she did not know. All she knew was that it was a lovely combination, and his green eyes held so much kindness that she had not been able to help speaking freely to him.
Too soon, the carriage approached the front door of her home. Reluctant to leave her dreamy thoughts behind, she allowed the coachman to help her down from the coach.
Before she and Susan could make their way inside the house, Johnson rushed out to greet them.
“Forgive me, my lady, but your uncle will arrive at any moment,” he said hurriedly.
Mary looked at him, perplexed. “My uncle? Did he send a missive while I was gone?”
“No, my lady. He was to come to dinner tonight.”
Mary gasped, feeling foolish. “Oh, how could I have forgotten?” she said.
“The fault is mine, my lady,” Johnson said, bowing his head. “I should have mentioned it this morning, but it slipped my mind, what with the whirlwind of the sudden trip to town.”
Mary smiled at the butler. “You are not to blame. I should not be so careless with my appointments,” she said.
Johnson bowed, gratitude in his eyes.
“What would you like me to do?” Susan asked.
Mary had to think quickly. “Is the cook preparing the meal?” she asked Johnson.
“It should be ready very soon, my lady.”
“Wonderful! Then all that is left to be done is for me to change,” Mary said, feigning far more enthusiasm than she felt. She chided herself for forgetting something so important.
“Come, Susan. Let us make something presentable and respectable of my countenance,” she said, leading Susan into the house and up the stairs to her bedroom.
***
When Mary was dressed, she dismissed Susan to freshen up and see to any last-minute tasks before her uncle arrived. She had just made it to the stairs when she heard Johnson letting in her guests.
“Your guests have arrived, my lady,” Johnson said, bowing to her as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Thank you, Johnson,” she said.
“My dear Mary,” Kent Hillington called from behind the butler.
“Uncle,” she said, allowing him to embrace her.
She was genuinely happy to see him. He had been by her side every step of the way since her parents and brother died, and she loved him dearly for all his love and support. She kissed both of his cheeks, then reached out for her cousins, Samuel and John.
She loved her cousins dearly, too, and she felt a bit guilty about rejecting her uncle’s proposition to marry his eldest son, Samuel.
He had broached the subject as a way to take care of her and to have a woman in the immediate family. Mary knew it also had a great deal to do with him missing his beloved wife, who had passed away several years prior.
After their greetings and pleasantries, Johnson escorted them all into the dining room. Once everyone was seated, he bowed and exited the room, leaving the family to talk amongst themselves as they waited for dinner to be served.
“Mary, my dear, you look absolutely lovely,” Kent said. Her cousins murmured in agreement.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling. “How are you, Uncle?”
“Quite well, my dear. I have been very busy with business matters, but I will not bore you with all the details.” He paused, clearing his throat. “And how are you, my darling niece?”
Mary smiled again, thinking of the day she had.
“Very well, thank you. I went into town today for a meeting with Father’s business partners, and I visited with Beatrice.”
Kent nodded, smiling joyfully. “That is wonderful, my dear. It is good to hear that you are getting out and about again. And how is Miss Beaumont?”
Her cousins looked at her with interest. Mary hesitated, unsure of whether she should mention Beatrice’s letter or the conversation the women had about Beatrice’s father’s death.
At last, she decided against it. She trusted her family, but Beatrice had spoken to her in confidence, so she thought it best to keep her friend’s secret.
“She is quite well,” she said. “She was thrilled to see me. We had tea in a nice little parlor. It was a lovely afternoon. I have missed her so.”
“Very good,” her uncle said. “Please, do give her my regards when you next visit with her.”
Mary smiled, relishing the atmosphere and the company. “Of course, uncle. And hopefully that will be very soon.”
Just then, the servants brought in their meal. After the meal was served and the servants departed, the family ate for a few moments in silence.
At last, her uncle spoke again. “So, your business meeting… I trust that all went well?”
“Oh, yes,” Mary said. “It was nothing of any great importance. A bit boring, really.” She recalled the accident with the carriage. “A strange thing did happen, though. As I was leaving the tea parlor, a carriage driver lost control of his horses, and the coach nearly ran over me. I jumped out of the way just in time to avoid being struck.”
Her uncle looked at her, alarmed. “Are you alright? Were you hurt?”
“Oh no, not at all. I am quite alright. Just a bit of a sprained ankle.”
Uncle Kent shook his head, unsatisfied with her answer.
“Let me have a look. You could have done further damage to that leg of yours,” he said, clearly distressed about the incident. “This is why you really must get yourself a husband to tend to these business things. You could have been killed.”
He started to rise from his chair, but Mary spoke. “Uncle, please, I assure you that I am fine. As it happened, the place in which I sought refuge was, of all things, a doctor’s office.”
Her uncle studied her face but did not immediately reclaim his seat. “And he examined you?” he asked.
“Yes, and he was quite kind and gentle. I suffered only a sprained ankle.” She winced, recalling the damage to Duncan’s entrance hall. “His office windows, however, were not so lucky.”
“Better that it was his windows ruined, and not you, my darling girl.” At last, he sat, seeming content that she spoke the truth.
“Those were his exact words when I apologized for the incident,” Mary said, relieved. “Oh, and did I mention that not only is he a doctor, but also a viscount?”
Her cousins looked at each other, then at her, smiling approvingly. Her uncle raised his eyebrows.
“Oh?” he asked.
“Yes. His name is Duncan Winstanley, and he was very kind and—”
“Winstanley?” Kent cried. He looked at Mary with wide eyes.
“Uncle, what is it?” Mary asked, taken aback at the vitriol in her uncle’s voice.
Uncle Kent frowned. “I know the name. Men like him only seek to benefit from others. Do you have any idea how quickly he would take advantage of you if given the remotest opportunity?”
“And did he know who you are? He recognized you, did he not?” her uncle asked bitterly.
“Not at first. But I, of course, introduced myself. Then he recognized my name.”
Mary’s mind was racing. She could not understand her uncle’s reaction. John shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“Father, perhaps—” Samuel began, but his father cut him short.
