Page 6 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
The man laughed. “I am afraid you will get little time to devote to these precious tomes whilst staying in this house. The revellers will not allow it.”
“Yes,” Christianna mused. “I am glad I was able to spend a few solitary moments, but I confess I am surprised to find you here. I thought most of the gentlemen joined the hunt early this morning.”
The man scoffed. “I tend to leave the sporting to my big brother. Percival has a knack for shooting, while I infinitely prefer to indulge in my reading.”
“You are Percival’s brother?” The inquiry leapt from Christianna’s lips. It had not occurred to her that this man was anyone other than a guest at the estate. The two siblings did not share any features, except for perhaps their slender physiques. “Lord Phineas, I believe it is.”
He nodded his head respectfully. “Do call me Phineas.”
Christianna pursed her lips, thinking it would be nice to do as much but knowing it was unbecoming to assume such familiarity so soon. “We have only just met, my lord. I do not think it would be proper to behave in such an informal manner.”
He laughed lightly. “But we are to be relations, Lady Christianna.” When she did not give way, he continued, “All right, have it your way. If you must stand on propriety, you may call me Doctor Radcliff.”
“You are a physician?” Christianna asked as she took several steps closer to him.
“Has Percy told you nothing of me at all?” Doctor Radcliff questioned teasingly.
Christianna shook her head. “In truth, I have seen very little of my betrothed. He is always so very busy, and….”
Doctor Radcliff waved his hand dismissively. “There is no need to explain matters to me, Lady Christianna. I am well aware of my brother’s failings.”
Christiana stared at Doctor Radcliff, surprised by his cavalier comment. “You think your brother going hunting with his friends is a shortcoming?”
“I think inviting you to Bixby Hall, then skirting off so he might play with his friends, is very bad behaviour,” the doctor returned. “But perhaps I should not judge, lest my own actions come under the scrutiny of others, as well. My mama would likely be very cross with me if she knew I was closeting myself in the library this morning, reading my books, rather than mingling with the guests.”
“And what are you reading?” Christianna asked as she tipped her chin slightly, trying to get a peek at the cover of the book.
Doctor Radcliff patted the cushiony seat next to him. “Come, join me, Lady Christianna. I have perusedDoctor Buchan’s Domestic Medicineseveral times, but I am always glad to have someone sit with me and look on it with a fresh set of eyes.”
Christianna scurried across the room and gratefully sank into the spot next to Doctor Radcliff. “And what do you think of Doctor Buchan’s comments on the usage of medicine? Do you agree that it should be used sparingly or perhaps withheld altogether?”
Doctor Radcliff’s eyes widened in wonder. “You are familiar with Doctor Buchan’s work, Lady Christianna?”
“I am,” she replied as she gestured to the book in his lap. “I have always been fascinated by the human body.” She paused, realising belatedly how her words could be misconstrued.
“Forgive me, what I meant to say was that I know it is unladylike to show such a special interest in this topic, but I cannot help myself. God has given us these bodies, and we are charged with maintaining them to the best of our abilities. I have always believed that it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and to make the most of this gift we have been granted.”
“Very well put,” Doctor Radcliff said, with a hint of admiration in his tone. “And so, you have made it your mission to study the human body?”
“Hardly,” Christianna returned as a small chuckle slipped through her lips. “I merely read Doctor Buchan’s book because it was available to me and was written in such a reasonable way.” She shook her head. “I have tried to study medical journals that were written in Latin, but I confess, I am not up to the task. I cannot master the language.”
“But that is also one of the points the good doctor makes in his works,” Doctor Radcliff said excitedly. “He purports that physicians do society, as well as the medical profession itself, a disservice when they seek to make their findings, as well as their usage of cures, unintelligible to the common person.”
“And do you agree with him, Doctor Radcliff?” Christianna pushed. “Do you think the study of medicine should be applicable and able to be discerned by even the most unlearned man?”
“And woman,” Doctor Radcliff answered as he nodded enthusiastically. “I see no reason to hide my knowledge from others, nor do I seek to keep things from my patients. I believe people are much more likely to take care of themselves when they understand fully what they are up against and the possible treatments that exist.”
He paused and tipped his head to the side thoughtfully. “I admit I am quite beside myself to learn that my brother’s fiancée shares my interests. I suppose I thought you would be—”
“What?” Christianna asked, widening her eyes at him, encouraging him to speak what was on his mind.
“…Something else entirely,” Doctor Radcliff finished.
“Well, I am glad I could surprise you, Doctor, for you certainly caught me off-guard,” Christianna returned. “Tell me, how did you know who I was? I had no idea you were the duke’s brother and….”
“Ah…yes, well…I just took a guess,” Doctor Radcliff interrupted as his smile turned sheepish. “It was an educated bit of conjecture, though, because I’d been told Percy’s fiancée was the most beautiful woman in all the land.” He paused and nodded at her. “I took one look at you and knew you must be the paragon sent here to save us all.”
Christianna laughed lightly. “I am not sure if I should thank you for the compliments, Doctor Radcliff, or if I should scold you for your excessive flattery.”
