The Doctor and the Libertine - Callie Hutton Page 0,24
body, he found peeling away the demeanor she showed to the world and seeing the real Rayne underneath could be quite the adventure.
She had more pride and courage in her than a lot of men he knew. However, he was determined to employ help for her. If she insisted on paying for it, he would make sure all her debts were collected.
“Good morning, my lord,” Walter greeted him as he opened the door, obviously dressed to venture outdoors. It was a rainy, drizzly sort of day where staying inside next to a nice warm fire, with a book and a brandy—ah, maybe not—was the best way to spend one’s time.
“Good morning, Walter. Is Dr. Stevens up and about?” He removed his gloves and hat and handed them off to Walter, who put them and his greatcoat in the closet next to the stairs.
“Yes. I was up at the crack of dawn and Dr. Stevens was already attending to those in the infirmary.” He shook his head as he buttoned his coat. “She is doing far too much, and I have a suspicion she has not been to bed yet.”
“Yes. I agree. She does tend to do too much, but I have a plan for that.” He grinned at the man and with his cane firmly in hand, made his way down the corridor to the infirmary.
“Good morning Dr. Stevens.” He tried his best not to cringe at her appearance as she turned to him. She had no doubt enjoyed very little sleep if any at all. Her hair was in disarray, the tender skin under her eyes dark, and her weariness was evident as she trudged from one patient’s bed to the next.
“Good morning, my lord. What brings you here so early?” She spoke over her shoulder as she attended to one of her patients.
“I am here to work on your books as promised. However, I have also arranged with an agency for a cook, an upstairs maid, a scullery maid, and a nursing assistant to arrive sometime this morning.”
He raised his hand as she began to speak. “You need the help and since I am in charge of your finances, I shall find the money to pay them.” There was absolutely no need to tell her he would be financing the wages for the help until he could collect what was due.
It was apparent to him that she was exhausted when she didn’t argue the point. “As you mentioned, I am quite behind in collecting on my outstanding bills.”
“Yes. But I intend to work on that today.” Leaning on his cane he walked up to her. “How much sleep did you get?”
“Some.” She turned and began to speak to a young man who looked almost fit to go home.
When she finished with him, he asked, “How many of these patients can leave today?”
Rayne placed her hands at her waist and glanced around the room. She swayed a bit and looked as though she would collapse at any moment. He wanted to take her in his arms and carry her upstairs and put her to bed. Except he couldn’t carry a child right now with a broken leg. And he doubted she would let him anywhere near her bed.
“Probably two, possibly three,” she answered. “Those are the ones who only need bandages changed and salve applied. The most serious one, a head injury, is no longer a problem because the young man woke up and aside from a bad headache, he’s fine. One of the luckier ones.”
“If you give me the information on who is able to safely leave, I can send messages out to the families to have them escorted home.”
“Yes. I will do that.” She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a yawn.
The sound of the front door opening and the laughter and chattering of several voices caught their attention. The people the agency sent entered the infirmary.
Rayne shook her head as if confused. “I have never had this many employees. I don’t know what to tell them to do.”
Edwin had no doubt that Rayne would know what to do with employees, but she was so tired she couldn’t think straight. As soon as things were settled, he would take care of that situation, too.
An older woman stepped up. “Dr. Stevens, I am Mrs. Foster, your cook. Why don’t you show me to the kitchen and perhaps the girls,” she waved in the direction of the two young maids, “can get started on their work. I