Page 62 of The Best-Kept Secrets
“What can I do for you, Miss O’Doyle?” Dr. Wilstead asked.
“You’ve said that Nia will still be ill when we return home to Ireland.”
He nodded. “Better than she is now, but even if she avoids the more severe version of rheumatic fever, she will be ill for several months.”
Several months.
“And no matter the length of this bout of illness, it is imperative that we watch her for signs of damage to her heart. That is the most dangerous aspect of rheumatic fever, and we must act decisively and quickly should we see any indications of it.”
Eve swallowed against the lump in her throat. “Decisively and quickly” were not very comforting words. The doctor had said he thought Nia unlikely to be ill for years to come, but clearly, he harbored very real concerns for her.
“I will, of course, let you know if I see anything at all that is concerning,” she promised him.
“And in the name of full honesty, even with treatment, any damage done to her heart cannot be reversed. We can lessen it but not entirely stop or undo it.”
“It would be permanent?”
He nodded.
“Would it be... fatal?” She could hardly get the word out.
“It can be,” he admitted, “which makes treatments all the more crucial.”
“I need an idea of what the medicines she will require are likely to cost once we’ve returned home. I realize that is difficult to say, since what they cost here is different from our corner of Ireland. But even a vague idea’d be quite helpful.”
“I will make a list and give you my best estimation.”
“Thank you,” she said. “And please give it to me and not to my sister. I don’t wish to burden her with worries.”
“Of course.”
As Dr. Wilstead made his way out of the room, Eve felt a sense of relief. She would have information, which would help her know what she was facing. But she also felt an added weight. The doctor’s estimate would almost certainly exceed what the family could scrape together.
Mrs. Greenberry joined her once more. She didn’t offer pity or platitudes. She didn’t press for details about Eve’s situation, and she didn’t ask Eve to lay bare her worries. She simply smiled and walked with her out of the room.
“I suppose everyone will understand if I don’t join in the festivities,” Eve said. “I think I would rather lie down and try to rest.” She would be breaking her promise to her sister, but shehadleft the room when Nia had fallen asleep, and shehadgone to the drawing room where the evening’s entertainments were being undertaken. So she had fulfilled her obligation, in a sense.
“A good idea,” Mrs. Greenberry said. “And we do have guest bedchambers that are not being used. Please do tell me if having a room of your own would be helpful.”
“I will. Thank you.”
They parted ways at that point, Mrs. Greenberry walking in the direction of the drawing room and Eve making her way toward the stairs.
It is imperative that we watch her for signs of damage to her heart.
Act decisively and quickly.
The most dangerous aspect of rheumatic fever.
She tried to breathe through each successive thought, but she didn’t manage it overly well. And in her distraction, she almost didn’t hear Duke and his father approaching before they were nearly already in view.
“All I am asking,” Duke said to Mr. Seymour, “is that you do what you can not to quarrel with Grandmother or Aunt Penelope around the other guests. It reflects badly on the family, and I cannot imagine you want that.”
“Why is it you aren’t scolding your grandmother? She instigated tonight’s difficulties.”
Duke rubbed at his mouth and chin. “I realize she is difficult, but one of you will have to be the more noble person, and I am holding out hope that it would be you.”
“I have always been the more noble person in this family. Themostnoble, I daresay.”
