Page 49 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady
“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” Dr Frederick said, causing her to turn around sharply.
The Duchess smiled when she saw him.
“No wonder, I was wondering how Roman got back so quickly,” the Duchess said.
She stood up from the chair and walked towards Dr Frederick. She wore a black gown that reached up to her chin with its high collar. It had short sleeves, revealing smooth skin. There were golden bracelets on both wrists, dangling against each other as she approached him. He couldn’t see her feet. The gown covered it entirely.
“Dr Frederick, thank you for the other day. I was expecting you in a few days, not today,” she said when she was in front of him.
Dr Frederick placed his left hand on his head to remove his hat. His hand met dry, stringy hair.
Oh! I didn’t wear a hat.
He muffled the laughter that was about to emit from his mouth due to his forgetfulness and bent forward in a quick bow.
“I realised a cogent fact last night as I was reading at home. It’s not that I realised, more like I remembered, Your Grace.”
Dr Frederick looked to the sides to ensure no one else was in earshot. The Duchess moved backwards and signalled for him to follow her. It seemed she understood why he had looked around. She pushed the door of her husband’s room open and walked in. Dr Frederick walked in after her.
“Thank you, Your Grace for your comprehension of my behaviour. I prefer the patient or direct nurse of the patient getting to know the ailment first before any other ear hears of it because sometimes medical information can be used negatively. That was why I wanted a more private place,” Dr Frederick said.
The Duchess nodded. Her expression was apprehensive. Thin worry lines ran across her forehead. She said nothing; her expression encouraged Dr Frederick to speak further.
“Your Grace, from all the signs and symptoms I have gathered, I have to submit that your husband, His Grace, has an ailment of the heart.”
The Duchess didn’t move; nothing moved. Her expression didn’t change. Her eyes didn’t squint, shake, or enlarge. She was just statuesque for the first few moments. When she finally moved, she sat down on the bed, just beside her sick husband’s legs.
“Is it terminal?” she asked.
Her voice sounded coarse like the wheels of an old, rickety carriage on a rocky, bumpy road. Her eyes looked bigger now. Dr Frederick felt hot. He placed a finger between the neckline of his shirt and his neck, pushing the cloth forward.
“I am yet to determine that, ma’am. What I can tell you is that it is an ailment that strikes quickly and suddenly. I suspect it was a major part in the early death of the Duke’s father. I only came to this realization because I am currently researching hearts and ailments like this. The Duke exhibits a lot of signs, major signs, that other sufferers have exhibited,” Dr Frederick said.
The Duchess looked back at her husband. It was just a glimpse, a quick turn of the neck before she turned back, but everything changed when she looked back at Dr Frederick. Her eyes shone. Pools of water appeared in them, catching the afternoon light. Her eyes were wider, and she blinked rapidly. Dr Frederick couldn’t bear to look anymore so he lowered his eyes.
Is this what happens when one looks like losing a loved one? She appeared very strong just now.
Dr Frederick raised his gaze and saw the Duchess mopping her eyes with a blue ’kerchief. Her mouth was in a tight line, almost a grimace. Short vertical lines ran across both lips, ageing the woman before Dr Frederick’s eyes.
She looks well capable of being Lord Jeffrey’s mother at this moment.
“Is there anything we can do?” she asked.
“There is a lot that can be done, depending on what you want to achieve, Your Grace. A good change in lifestyle could do a lot. I am yet to confirm if a weak heart can be strengthened, but I do know we can ameliorate its effects if we do certain things,” Dr Frederick said.
The ’kerchief was off her face again, and the lines had disappeared. The Duchess’ face was a blank mask once again. She spoke in a strong voice.
“What are those things that we should do?” she asked.
Dr Frederick nodded.
“I mentioned that the Duke, on recovery, should try to avoid public outings. It’s no more just a mere suggestion, Your Grace; it has become imperative that he doesn’t attend to so many public responsibilities. I advise that he attends only the ones that cannot be missed,” he said.
The Duchess nodded and spared her sleeping husband another look.
“I also suggest that he spends as much time outdoors as possible, just within the compound. Good air and sunshine will do a lot. He might be given to bouts of weakness and sleepiness, faintness of breath, and a few other evidences of lack of bodily strength, those should be taken as normal now. There is no need to panic. All he needs is to rest and to take in lots of fluids. Drink enough water.”
The Duchess nodded again. There was a groan from the Duke. Dr Frederick walked closer to the Duke as he opened his eyes. The Duchess stood away from them, watching closely from a distance.
