Page 19 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady
The Duke swallowed audibly before answering.
“She’s just gotten progressively weaker since about five months ago. At first, I thought it was nothing, just a small illness because it never looked serious. But it’s never left. Our physician has tried everything he knows. He never told me this, but to be frank, I think he doesn’t know what is exactly wrong with my wife,” the Duke said.
Dr Frederick nodded and neared the sleeping woman. He touched her and noted that she didn’t have a fever. He checked all her basics and was satisfied.
“For how long has she been in this room, sir? Since she fell ill?”
“Yes,” the Duke answered.
“Your Grace, you have to move her out of here on a regular basis. You can take her to the garden or somewhere with lots of air and sunshine, those things help more than a little,” Dr Frederick said.
The Duke nodded eagerly.
“Does she have trouble sleeping?” Dr Frederick asked.
The Duke shook his head.
“Not at all, she sleeps like a baby,” the Duke of Somerset said.
Dr Frederick put his hand into his box and brought out a small vial. There was a green liquid in it. He put it on the table behind the Duchess.
“That should be added, one capful to her water once a day. Most preferably anytime she is leaving to just receive air. It’ll give her more strength to relax when she’s outside.”
The Duke nodded his head.
Dr Frederick faced the Duke and looked straight at his eyes.
“She’ll be fine, Your Grace. Do not worry. I will need more time for observation to narrow down anything wrong with her. She will be fine,” Dr Frederick said.
The Duke nodded again.
“I am to host a ball by the end of this week. I would very much like you to attend,” the Duke said.
“I would love to.”
Dr Frederick bowed again.
“Where will you be hosting the ball?” Dr Frederick asked.
“Here, in the hall downstairs,” said the Duke.
Dr Frederick looked again to the Duke’s sick wife.
“I would advise that you do not host it at all, or host it here,” said Dr Frederick.
The Duke raised both eyebrows. He was surprised.
“The noise might be too much for her.”
“I understand,” the Duke answered. “I’m calling it off now.”
“Your Grace, your Gr …”
The Duke had walked out of the room, presumably to tell his stewards to spread the news about the cancelled ball. Dr Frederick neared the sleeping woman and placed his stethoscope on her chest. Her heartbeat was strong.
She will get better.
Dr Frederick raised his head from her chest and was placing his tube back into his box when the Duke came back in.
