Page 9 of A Devilish Element
“Ah, yes, you wished to see Bell. You’re in good health? No—you already said you require a remedy.”
“Not for myself. I’m very well, thank you. It’s for the housekeeper.”
Jem supposed there must be one but couldn’t rightly recall having met her. If he was quite honest, he couldn’t recall much at present. That was the effect of Eliza Wakefield’s luminescence. He quite forgot himself. “I’ll fetch Bell.”
He turned, only for Eliza to grasp his arm, stilling him instantly. A touch through clothing should not affect him so greatly, but his innards turned loops.
“No-no don’t bother him. I simply need a few ingredients. I can easily gather them and mix it myself.”
She took a step forward, leading him, her hand outstretched to raise the latch.
“Ah!” Reality burst through his lovelorn haze. He moved with all speed, inserting himself between Eliza and the door, acutely cognisant of what was occurring on the other side. Even ignoring the fact that Linfield was stretched on a couch with his privates on display, that there were issues with his lordship’s knob wasn’t something he’d want getting out, particularly to his bride. Additionally, there was the fact that Jem was wretchedly ill prepared to have the hereto unconnected parts of his life collide. “You know, now isn’t really a good time. Do you have a list? Maybe I could gather—”
“It really will only take a moment.” She patted his hand, clearly expecting him to move aside.
Jem stood firm.
“The thing is—” He chewed on the words. “Bell, he’s—well, he’s in the middle of an experiment. Vital that it’s not disturbed.”
“Experiment?”
Of course, her eyes lit.
“What manner of experiment?”
Lady Linfield groaned. “Eliza!” She clasped her by the hand and tried to turn her about. “You’re not to tell her, Mr Whistler. I invited her here to be my companion, not to lose her to whatever nonsense it is you gentlemen find to do down here. I’ve heard enough talk of fish heads and entrails this last week. I had hoped additional female company might make for a little less of it.”
“Entrails?” Eliza hadn’t budged an inch despite Jane’s continued tugging. “And fish heads.”
“I did tell you he was an anatomist.”
“Yes, and you know that I’m positively enthralled. I must say that Cedarton is far exceeding my expectations. Jane, you implied I would be quite sorry to visit such a place, but why if it isn’t filled with the most intriguing and engaging characters.” She turned her smiles on him. “Jem, you can’t think me the least bit squeamish. Let me in at once.”
“Definitely not, on both counts.”
Eliza was brimming with so much barely contained joy, one might assume she’d just received a proposal from the man she’d hoped would marry her.
The matter was made moot by Bell wrenching the door open from the inside. His lanky form filled the space and swept over the assembled persons. “Is there some issue here?”
“Doctor Bell, I assume,” Eliza said, peering around Jem and offering her hand to the cadaverous brute. “Miss Wakefield. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I was wondering if I might bother you for a few things—supplies to make up a remedy, and Jem says you are in the midst of an experiment. I should be honoured if you’d allow me to observe, I’m most fascinated by such things.”
The luscious curls of Bell’s full-bottomed wig trembled, though whether in horror at the thought of a woman entering his surgery or mirth over the suggestion that she might relish looking at Linfield’s leech dotted cock was uncertain.
“Most assuredly not, madam,” he replied. “If on the other hand, someone is ill, and you require my—”
Jem raised a warning hand. “It’s the housekeeper, a minor ailment, nothing that can’t wait.”
“I’m perfectly able,” Eliza stuck her nose in the air. “If you’ll just allow me—”
“No.” Bell rasped.
“—I can have the remedy mixed in a matter of minutes.”
“That really won’t be possible, Miss Wakefield, was it? You see, I don’t allow women in my surgery. And I certainly don’t allow them to meddle with the preparations I put a great deal of effort into assembling. If Mrs Honeyfield requires any treatment, I will see to it myself. Good day now.” He closed the door in her face.
“Well of all the rude…” She slapped her hand against the door.
“Eliza,” Jane beseeched.
