Page 22 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“Yes, some months, Your Grace.” Dr. Fowler took the handshake and dismissed Daniel with a natural nod. “Have you been well?”
“I have, and you?”
“I cannot complain, Your Grace, I am still with the Royal Society.”
“Yes, of course.” Kenneth thought about what Leah had told him earlier.
“Well, anyhow.” Dr. Fowler huffed. “Where is our patient?”
“Upstairs, in one of our spare rooms.” Kenneth beckoned and began to lead Dr. Fowler through the house.
“I admit, Your Grace, I heard some strange stories regarding this woman you wrote of to me this morning.”
“Have you?” Kenneth asked, dismissively. Of course, he knew by now that word of his actions would be all over London.
“I heard that you killed three thieves who were attacking her, Your Grace. I also heard stories suggesting some sort of, well, previously-established relationship, between you and this woman people saw you carrying into your coach.”
“I am sure you have heard a hundred different stories, my dear Dr. Fowler.” Kenneth said impatiently, starting up the grand stair case. “Rest assured that none of them are true.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” the doctor apologized, wiping his brow with a small kerchief in his breast pocket. “I meant no disrespect. I mean only that it is an unusual circumstance.”
“In that you are correct.” Kenneth admitted. “The truth of the matter is that I found a woman beaten near to death and brought her in so that she may recover in a place that is safe.”
“You should give that to the papers,” Dr. Fowler breathed laboriously on the long staircase. “before they keep to what they've been given.”
“It's in the papers?” Kenneth asked, astonished.
“It got a small mention, Your Grace, on the back page, but the more people talk on it the more of a story it will become. A sort of, investigative series, if you will.”
“I find people utterly absurd on occasion, don't you?” Kenneth shook his head. He had to get ahead of this publicity before he was permanently ineligible for marriage with a noble woman. Although he was not driven by a desire to marry, Kenneth understood the importance of a good match for the sake of his family and estate. Those were two things he took very seriously at all times, as of late.
“Indeed, Your Grace, utterly absurd.” Dr. Fowler hauled himself with the handrail to the top step.
“Now, before you go in, Doctor, I would speak with you a moment.”
“Concerning?” Dr. Fowler took the moment to wipe all the sweat from his face.
“Your patient. She…Well you see, she has that common distrust of doctors.”
“Common by which you mean only the common folk have it.” Dr. Fowler protested, puffing out his chest. “People do not understand that we are men of science, medical science. How is it she was raised to hold such an old-fashion belief?”
“She is of the common folk, doctor, and you must not offend her. She requires you meet her, and she approves of you before you may examine her.”
“I say.” Dr. Fowler frowned. “This is most out of the ordinary. I cannot pretend to understand it.”
“I do not ask for you to understand it, doctor, but I do ask for you to indulge it.” Kenneth lowered his tone to be more commanding. He knew he could be quite the imposing figure when he wished it.
“Of course, Your Grace.” the doctor nodded hurriedly. “I shall meet and talk with the poor woman. If what I hear is true, she is most in need of a doctor.”
“Again, none of it is true, doctor.” Kenneth led them to the door and knocked twice. “Miss Benson? I have Dr. Fowler here for you.”
“Send him in.” her voice could be heard through the door.
“Off you go then.” Kenneth opened the door and shut it behind Dr. Fowler.
* * *
“You’re the doctor then?” Leah asked the squat man before her.
