Page 34 of The Heir
“She should be bled,” insisted Mama again. “At least an ounce. She barely slept at all last night.”
“I see no occasion for such interference,” replied Dr. Clarke. “Should the aches become too severe, I recommend a warm compress and two tablespoons of brandy.” He packed his bag.
The doors were opened. Dr. Clarke paused in the sitting room to bow to Sir John and Lady Flora. Jane had not moved, but Victoria was certain she was attending to every detail. She wondered what Sir John had said and how Flora had answered.
Victoria found herself reluctant to let Dr. Clarke leave so soon. While he was here, Mama had to show at least some modicum of courtesy.
“Dr. Clarke, do convey my best wishes to Dr. Maton,” she said. “How is he doing?”
Dr. Clarke paused. Dr. Clarke looked at Mama and at Sir John. He cleared his throat.
“Ah. There we have very sad news, ma’am. Unfortunately, Dr. Maton has succumbed to his ailments.”
For a moment, Victoria felt as dizzy as she had when Prince shied.
“That is very sad news,” she said slowly. “Is it not, Mama?”
Mama’s face remained stony. Her attention, however, was focused not upon the doctor but upon Sir John.
“Indeed it is.” Her voice was low and steady.
Victoria’s sensibility—trained by hours at dinners and in drawing rooms, where there was nothing to do but watch the adults in the room—leapt up.Pay attention to this, it told her.Pay attention to how she looks at Sir John right now.
“Did Dr. Maton have family?” inquired Victoria. Jane was watching them now, too, frowning and listening hard. She did not know Dr. Maton had died. And from the displeasure in her expression, neither did Mama.
Did Sir John?
Pay attention!
“Dr. Maton has left a wife and three sons,” said Dr. Clarke. “All the boys have followed him into the medical profession. A fact of which he was very proud, you may be sure.”
“Well,” said the duchess, “we shall be sending our condolences to his family.”
“I know that will be most appreciated, ma’am.” Dr. Clarke bowed. “I shall return again tomorrow, but as ever, do not hesitate to call me if there are any changes.”
And he bustled away.
Victoria turned on her toes to face Mama, her head cocked, her eyebrows raised.
Which, it seemed, was more than Mama was prepared to stand.
“You are a ridiculous child! Your imagination has done enough damage, and if you are not able to properly command your thoughts, I willorderDr. Clarke to bleed you to bring down this fever. Now you have your journal to write, Victoria,” she said. “I expect to see you busy.”
Victoria folded her arms around the book. “I will go to the—”
“You will stay here!” snapped Mama. “You have more than fully demonstrated your judgment is not to be trusted.”
“I may not go to the next room?”
“You may not.”
“Not even if I take Jane and Lehzen?” Victoria blinked her eyes in a great show of innocence. “Not even if I leave the door open? That way I will remain safely under your watchful gaze.”
This was a dangerous game, and she knew it. She was pricking Mama just to provoke her. It was childish and disobedient and would create a scene, and she could not stop.
You will hear me. I will make you. You will admit he lied to you, just like he did to me.
Chapter 15
