Page 13 of Seducing an Earl under the Mistletoe
Virginie nodded quickly, then rushed back inside the church. Marcus and Catherine guided their father towards the carriage with gentle, careful steps. Doctor Watson joined them shortly, accompanied by Virginie. The short journey home was fraught with tension, their worry for their father consuming their every thought.
Upon their arrival, they assisted their father into the house, settling him in a comfortable chair. He looked pale and weak, his illness a cause for immediate concern.
Doctor Watson commenced his examination by beginning with the customary vital sign assessment—feeling Lord Winters’ pulse and monitoring his respiratory rate to establish a medical baseline. He inquired about specific symptoms and their onset, paying careful attention to Lord Winters’ account.
Moving forward, the doctor conducted a thorough physical examination. With a gentle touch, he palpated Lord Winters’ abdomen, meticulously exploring for tenderness, masses, or any deviations from the norm.
Throughout the examination, Doctor Watson maintained a composed and reassuring presence, elucidating each step to both Lord Winters and his concerned family. He posed additional inquiries about Lord Winters’ recent activities, aiming to pinpoint potential causes for his overexertion.
“It appears to be a case of overexertion,” Doctor Watson said as he adjusted his wide-rimmed glasses, pushing them upward on his nose. “Lord Winters, you need to rest and stay away from situations that cause you any nervous agitation.”
“Well, that is easier said than done,” Lord Winters said, still sounding as if he had been running a race. “But thank you, doctor. I shall heed your counsel.”
Catherine and Marcus, relieved that their father’s condition wasn’t more serious, listened intently to the doctor’s instructions for their father’s recovery. Doctor Watson prescribed medication and recommended bed rest, emphasizing the importance of reducing stress and avoiding strenuous activities.
“I can find my way out,” Doctor Watson bowed respectfully, then bid them all goodbye, leaving Lord Winters and his three children alone. The moment the doors closed, the argument started.
All three of them were consumed by worry, their anxieties swirling like a tempest in the parlor. The air was tense with the weight of concern, and the fragile peace that held the family together, threatened to shatter at that very moment.
Virginie, caught up in the whirlwind of her youthful romances, faced off with Marcus. “This is all your fault, Marcus! You’re never here! Always running away, avoiding Isabel and the responsibilities you have towards this family.”
Marcus, struggling with his own heartache and the burden of unspoken emotions, retorted, “And you, Virginie, can’t you see how your recklessness adds to Father’s stress? Your behavior only makes things worse.”
Their voices grew louder, the argument echoing the underlying turmoil that had been building for some time.
“Why don’t we all try to calm down? This isn’t helping anyone, especially not Father,” Catherine tried to intervene, attempting to mediate the conflict, but she only managed to make things even worse.
Marcus frowned. “What would you know about Father’s condition? You’re the one who has created a new life for yourself in London, barely even thinking about us!”
“That is not true!” Catherine retorted.
The stormy argument seemed to hang in the air, a reflection of the emotional storm within the family. The situation was precarious, and the path forward was unclear. They all knew that they had to find a way to reconcile their differences, to come together as a family in this trying time.
As the argument between his three children reached critical heights, Lord Winters, weak but with resolve in his eyes, decided it was time to intervene. He raised his voice, commanding their attention.
“That is enough now,” he said firmly with a raised hand, his voice carrying the weight of authority he demanded. “This bickering is only making things worse, if such a thing is even possible.”
The parlor fell into an uneasy silence, the tension palpable. Their father sighed heavily, raking his fingers through his hair, then he continued, “I must admit, I bear some responsibility for my recent condition. I have been over-exerting myself lately, and it has taken its toll.”
“Has something happened, Father?” Catherine asked, sensing there was more to the story.
He turned to her with a decisive look in his eyes. “Haven’t the events of the past several days been enough to make one over-exert? I’m overjoyed that you’re here, Catherine, my dear. Then, the ball, and generally, I haven’t been sleeping very well. It is a combination of many things. Why question just one of them?”
Catherine was still not convinced. She felt that there was more, but it was obvious that her father was reluctant to open up about it. She made a mental note to discuss things with Marcus in private and see whether he knew anything about it.
He tried to get up, but Virginie rushed to his side, urging him to remain seated. “You are too weak, Father. Remember what Doctor Watson said.”
He smiled at her, then continued. “I need you all to understand that whatever happens, we must carry on. The dinner party will proceed as planned. It is crucial for our family’s standing in the community.”
None of his three children spoke. There was nothing to say. All they could do was silently agree. They weren’t of the opinion that the dinner party, which had been planned weeks ahead, ought to take place after everything that had happened. But it was something they organized every year, and their friends and family expected it to take place as usual.
“Now, I cannot very well remain here for the rest of the day, now can I?” he said good-humoredly. “Can someone help me up the stairs, so I can rest a little in bed?”
Marcus nodded, immediately walking over to him. He helped his father up, and together, they left the room, the weight of many unanswered questions still lingering in the air.
As soon as the doors closed, Virginie glanced at her sister. “Do you think something is the matter, Cate? Something he is not telling us?”
Catherine nodded. She was used to Virginie, as the younger one, not understanding some of the things that had been taking place in the household. But she was no longer a little girl. They were all grown-ups, with burdens of their own to bear.
