Page 22 of The Secret of the Dashing Detective
“Very well” Lewis said, looking at Lady Juliana now, and she stared back. “What seems to be the problem? Do you have any other symptoms?”
“Ah…” she began, looking to Matthew for help, and he nodded at her encouragingly. She was the one who wanted to be here. Now she would have to help him as best she could. “Y-yes, I have stomach upset. It comes and goes. And I am very tired. All the time.”
“I see,” Lewis said, revealing no emotion. “Anything else?”
“Ummm…” she said, tapping her fingers on the table in a show of nerves,” that is mostly all.”
“When were your last courses?”
“Pardon me?” Lady Juliana asked, her cheeks turning pink.
Lewis patted her shoulder as a grandfather would his grandchild in sympathy.
“I only ask because I am trying to determine if the obvious answer is the correct one. The symptoms you are describing are often those a woman would feel if she was with child.”
If it was possible, Lady Juliana’s cheeks turned an even brighter red, and it took everything within Matthew not to burst into laughter as she looked to him in desperation. “I ah, I see,” she managed. “Yes, I-I suppose that could be the case.”
“Well, congratulations to you both,” Lewis said, reaching across the table and shaking Matthew’s hand. Matthew allowed the grin to cross his face, for he should be as pleased as any expectant father, should he not? Truth be told, the notion of having a child with Juliana… well it was not as absurd as he would have thought. In fact, it was rather… interesting.
“Thank you,” Matthew said, reaching into his pocket for a shilling. “Is this enough for your time?”
Lewis held up a hand, rejecting it. “No need. It was nothing.”
“I insist.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Allow me to buy you a drink, then.”
“Very well,” Lewis said, before turning to Lady Juliana again. “You are both welcome to come see me again if needed, although I would propose that you are better off with a midwife who knows much more about such matters than I do. If you need any suggestions, please tell me and I will be happy to provide you with a few names.”
“That would be lovely,” Lady Juliana said, the pink in her cheeks having receded, to be replaced with some warmth in her face as she stared at the man who was, apparently, her brother. “You are quite kind.”
Lewis grinned. “I endeavor to be so.”
He looked to Matthew now.
“How did you know I was a physician? I do not believe I’ve ever met you before.”
Matthew shrugged. “Word gets around. You know how it is.”
“I do. I believe I’ve seen you in here, although I’ve never made your acquaintance.”
Matthew nodded. He thought of giving the man a fake name, but then decided it was better not to. Having lived his entire life in Holborn, it wouldn’t be long until Lewis discovered his true identity.
“Matthew Archibald,” he introduced himself. “You’re not from around here, are you, Dr. Lewis?”
“I’m not, actually,” Lewis said. “I grew up in a town not far from London until I came here for my schooling. I’ve remained ever since.”
“Do you like it here?” Lady Juliana asked, chiming in, still obviously fascinated by the man. “As opposed to where you are from?”
“I suppose it’s certainly a different world,” Lewis said, his eyes somewhat faraway. “In a small town, everyone knows you. Here you are more anonymous, which can be both comforting and isolating.”
Matthew wondered how much being born a bastard had affected Lewis’ childhood, especially in a town where one couldn’t hide the fact he had no father.
“Well, I am glad you are here,” Lady Juliana said, leaning in toward him. “You are an asset to London.”
Apparently, Lady Juliana had made her decision as to whether or not to trust her half-brother. While Lewis seemed a good sort, Matthew was still wary. It was also why he had wanted to meet Lewis himself first – he had a feeling that none of the siblings would be able to be particularly impartial. Especially Lady Juliana.
