Page 18 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“Standard route?” she asked, curiously.
“It is a joke, I admit, but not a good one.” The Duke folded his leg atop his knee.
“Tell me.” Leah said, but it rang out like a suggestive command.
“Well, I am born of a wealthy family. It is no secret. My father was the Duke before me. There are plenty of us, Dukes and Earls and Barons, I mean, and for all of us there are but three roads to choose from in life. Firstly, we may become military men. This is what I mean by the standard route. It is the oldest, indeed, originally the only way of life on these islands.”
“What are the other choices?” Leah was intrigued. She knew nothing of upper-class culture, and it was interesting to see how the Duke had conceptualized his life choices.
“Second, we may become students of the law, so that we may sit in the House of Lords and yap at each other for hours. And third, although this is the newest of paths, is to become a man of medical science. These are the three choices to a man of my stature.”
“Why did you not choose a different path?” Leah inquired, cocking her head a bit to study his reply. He seemed troubled, she could tell from the lines furrowing on his forehead as he considered the answer.Perhaps he does not know, and it tears at him.
“There was a war on, I suppose.” he said after a time, running his hat around in his hands, watching the rotation of the brim. “I was young, adventurous, and I had a keen urge to earn a bit of reputation.”
“Perhaps you are still a tad adventurous, Your Grace.” Leah grinned. “How is your back?”
“Fine, it is nothing.” He sat straight again, looking up from his hat. “I have had far worse.”
“I believe that.” Leah chuckled her answer a bit and grimaced from the pain.
“The doctor will give you something for the pain.” the Duke offered, gently.
“No doctors, I have said twice now.” she shot back.
“Oh, come now, this again?”
“I spent a year working for the students at that Royal Academy or what have you.” Leah argued. This seemed to surprise the Duke, as it was a fairly impressive sentence.
“You mean the Royal Society of Medicine?”
“That's the one.”
“You did?” He blinked. “That is an accredited position. I did not know they allowed women inside. But if you worked there, then why should a person of medicine such as yourself –”
“I didn't workinthe school.” Leah rolled her eyes again.Perhaps he is not as smart as I had imagined. “I sold them corpses from the parish cemetery.”
“Beg pardon?” The Duke looked to be at a loss for words.
“Where do you think they get all the bodies they do their experiments on?” Leah sighed. “Keep your ears closer to the ground,Your Grace.” She smiled and rested her head back down on her pillow, once again staring at the ceiling.
“I had heard rumors of grave robbing, but I am astounded to hear them confirmed and with such regularity.” The Duke shook his head. “It is troubling. I feel that a more improved method can be developed when the advancement of medical science is at stake.” He shook his head distantly.
“A good day that'd be.” Leah said blankly, blinking at the paneling.
“Dr. Fowler is already on his way from the city.” the Duke explained, a bit deflated. “When he arrives, will you at least meet with him? You may decide for yourself then if he should examine you or not.”
“Your offer is a fair one, Your Grace.” Leah said. “I will meet your Dr. Fowler.”
“Thank you.” the Duke sighed, clearly glad the negotiations were over. Then he began to chuckle and said, “I did not expect that to be a matter of contention.”
“I find one can never know what will or will not be a matter of contention.” Leah answered in his same candor, still facing just up from her pillow.
“Are you at all educated?” the Duke asked, likely finally willing to seek a background for her vocabulary.
“Not by your definition.” she shrugged. “Friend of mine taught me to read when I was young. Been reading anything I could ever since.” Then several gears clicked together in her mind, and she rolled her head sideways to stare at the Duke. “Do you have a library in this house?”
“I do, would you like to see it?”
