Page 31 of A Masked Lady for Mr. Kenworthy
Mr. Kenworthy looked at her for another moment before he, too, began to laugh.
“It was a most interesting manner of meeting, to be sure,” he said, chuckling. “Well, someone who is not a criminal.”
Faye giggled again, grateful for the reprieve from her sadness and worry. Though he had done it unintentionally, Mr. Kenworthy had helped put her mind at ease. It was just another of the many nice things he had done for her since she had met him. The kindness he was showing her was undeniable, and she knew she would spend the rest of her life being grateful to him. Her laughter subsided, and her expression grew serious, though calm, once more.
“I truly cannot express my gratitude as deeply as I feel it,” she said.
Mr. Kenworthy also ceased laughing and gave her an affectionate smile.
“Truly, it is all my pleasure,” he said. “I cannot think of anyone more deserving of kindness than you, my lady.”
Faye felt such overwhelming affection for Mr. Kenworthy in that moment that she found herself fighting to resist kissing him. She was stopped only by the sound of the door to her mother’s bedchambers opening. It startled the gentleman as much as it did her, it seemed, as he took a big step back from her and turned toward the physician, who was slowly emerging from the room. And, when Mr. Kenworthy took her hand as they approached the physician, she did not resist. The physician merely glanced at the comforting gesture and gave the pair a kind, understanding smile.
“Lady Faye,” he said, reaching out to touch her arm.
“Yes, doctor?” she asked, her voice trembling with fear. “What is wrong with my mother? Can you help her?”
The physician’s face grew grave once more, and he placed his large medical bag at his feet. Then, he met her gaze, his eyes sad and concerned.
“Your mother has come down with a cold,” he said slowly.
Faye shook her head, confused.
“A cold?” she asked. “But I treated her for a cold when she first fell ill.”
The doctor held up a gentle hand, indicating to Faye that he was not yet finished explaining. She offered him a sheepish grimace and lowered her head.
“Forgive me,” she said. “I am just so very worried. Please, continue, Dr. Hosh.”
The physician nodded, patting her once more.
“It is quite all right, my dear,” he said. “As I was saying, your mother has a cold. And I imagine that you would have done everything you could to help her when she first became ill.” He paused and sighed. “However, what you likely did not know at the time is that colds can often worsen almost overnight. And, when that happens, they can begin to affect the patient’s chest. That is precisely what has happened to your mother.”
Faye drew in a sharp breath, blinking back tears.
“Is that the reason why she has so suddenly started coughing so badly all the time?” she asked.
The doctor nodded solemnly.
“It is,” he said. “And it is rapidly getting worse. Had you not sent for me today, as you did, she would have started having further complications with her breathing. And, I fear, she likely would have soon stopped breathing altogether.”
Faye felt her knees begin to collapse from under her, only vaguely aware that there was suddenly an arm around her waist, holding her up gently. She shook her head slowly in disbelief.
“Can you help her?” she repeated, trying to regain her wits. She was more frightened than ever for her mother, but succumbing to hysteria would do no good for either of them.
The doctor bit his lip and sighed.
“I will do everything I can for her,” he said. “I have left some medicine in there for her to help with her fever and cough. That she is to have twice per day. It is hard to say at this stage what her chances of recovery are. But I can assure you that she stands a much better chance now that she will be receiving treatment, provided you adhere strictly to her twice-daily medicine.”
Faye nodded, steadying herself on her feet. A cyclone of thoughts whirled through her mind, and she closed her eyes. She was angry with her father, she hated Mayson, and she was disappointed in herself for not finding a way to get a doctor to her mother sooner. But, for the time being, her sole focus must be on getting her mother well. If more attentive care and medication were what her mother needed, then Faye would see to it that was what she got. She would devote her entire life to nothing but that if that was what it took.
After a moment, she smiled wanly at the doctor.
“I cannot thank you enough for your help, Dr. Hosh,” she said. “I cannot imagine life without my mother, and I feel as though you might have just saved hers.”
The doctor blushed and shrugged.
“It is a pleasure to be of service, my dear,” he said. “But wait to thank me until your mother is well and healthy again.”
