A Duchess a Day (Awakened by a Kiss #1) - Charis Michaels Page 0,61
they are necessary. The world needs more doctors of every stripe. Who knows what you might accomplish all on your own? Quite a lot, I predict. And without having to sell your soul to the Girdleston family to do it.”
“I . . . I am so impatient for opportunities,” Miss Keep said.
“I believe you,” said Helena, “and I am sorry. But this was less of an opportunity, and more of a . . . terrible trade. I don’t believe it is the best trade for you. Will you forgive me for wasting your time? I . . . I had to be certain.”
Miss Keep closed her eyes, looked at the floor, and nodded.
As Helena and Declan made their way to the door, Miss Keep made assurances that she would not tell a soul that Helena Lark was in the clinic for any other reason than stomach distress.
Helena believed her, and she overwhelmed her with thanks and well wishes. At the last minute, Helena suggested that she might call on one Lady Moira Ashington to inquire about a consultation. If the girl was buying herbal remedies in Wandsworth, clearly she was open to alternative treatments. Even, perhaps, a young woman doctor.
When she said her final good-bye, Declan was already in the street. Helena collected a confused Meg and embarked upon the waiting carriage, her heart heavy.
When they reached the carriage steps, Declan was shaking his head.
“What was that?” he growled.
“I know,” she sighed. “I know, I know, I know. I’m sorry.” And she was sorry. She’d been reckless with their plan and precipitous with Miss Keep’s rejection. The interviews were rife with anxiety and complications. The margin of error was significant.
Declan did not respond and she climbed wearily into the carriage with Meg.
Not seen to any of them was the lurking figure in the black cloak hovering on the corner.
Chapter Fifteen
Seven Duchesses (Potential)
Happy ✓
Sneezy
Doc
Helena was sorry?
Sorry.
Sorry for what? Declan wondered.
Sorry for jeopardizing his wholesale betrayal of Girdleston by flaunting their obvious intimacy in front of a woman they’d only just met?
Sorry for allowing a perfectly willing candidate to simply walk away?
Sorry for making him want her through it all?
It was impossible to guess at her regret, and they were given no opportunity to discuss any of it, as she was locked inside the carriage with her maid, and then her sister Camille rushed to receive her when they reached Lusk House.
Declan went through the motions of stable chores with jerky, agitated precision. He ate dinner with the other grooms in stony silence. Girdleston summoned him to the green salon for his nightly threatening. This time, thank God, he also paid him: £75 and a bottle of brandy. Declan gave the liquor to Nettle and wrote a long-overdue letter to his father.
Da,
Still on the new job in Mayfair.
Busy but well.
You would be appalled—they’ve given me the most jaundiced shade of yellow livery, and the fit is terrible. I look like a walking daffodil.
Beyond that, they feed me well, and they stable the finest horses and the most modern carriages. The client is . . .
Declan paused, his pen hovering above the page.
The client is beautiful and clever and demanding.
The client leaps from one bold, erratic gesture to the next.
The client is trapped.
The client is relentless.
The client thrills me.
The client embodies something I’ve never wanted but now struggle to do without.
The client has hair as black as ebony and green eyes.
The client terrifies me.
The client is killing me.
The client is more than I can handle.
The client may send me back to prison, and I don’t even care.
The client needs me.
The client may deliver us all.
He could hardly write any of these.
He settled on:
The client is a spirited young woman who requires my full attention. I’m sorry there’s not been a spare afternoon that I may visit you.
Before I post this, there is one more thing. I may have managed a new situation for you and the girls. It is a forest cottage in Somerset. There is a village nearby and a river. I’ve not visited the site, but I’ve been to Somerset, and it’s lovely.
We cannot rely upon it, and I only mention it because you must be prepared to relocate quickly if I can make it come to pass.
Tell the girls. I know Somerset would be a significant change, but we’ve been over this. The good reasons far outweigh the bad.
I am sorry to tell you this by letter instead of a visit from me, which is long overdue. You are never