If it wasn’t he showed no sign of noticing when he said, “Then you’ll forgive me for being so forward as to ask for your name, since we’ve no mutual acquaintance here to perform the introductions?” He cocked a brow when she didn’t immediately reply. “Did you hit your head in the fall?”
Juliette shook her head vigorously before he could reach out to check her skull for cracks. She was taken aback by the size of those hands; they could probably palm her entire head with ease. How did he possibly manage any of the finesse one would expect from a physician expected to perform delicate procedures?
“Lady Juliette Crawford. My brother is the Earl of Hopesend.”
With polished manners, Dr. McCullom inclined his head and took her hand to bow over it. “A pleasure.” His barely perceptible burr made the words almost like a purr that tickled every inch of her spine.
“Now,” he righted himself and turned to Thomas. “If you will excuse us, lad. I need to examine her ladyship’s injury.”
The poor young footman’s eyes widened. “If it’s all the same, I think I should stay.” He straightened his spine in an admirable show of protectiveness.
“I do not treat my patients with an audience, and I don’t particularly believe the lady would enjoy having a young man look on as I treat her.” The doctor’s words were calm and even, but there was an undertone that indicated he usually got his way; plainly, the statement brooked no discussion. Torn between a well-intentioned sense of duty and an innate desire for self-preservation, Thomas began to splutter until Juliette stepped in to rescue him.
“You may wait just outside the room, Thomas. It will be fine if the door remains open a crack if you would like to keep an eye on me.” This seemed to assuage his indecision. He strengthened his narrow jaw and gave a nod before bowing out of the room. He shot the doctor what she supposed was meant to be a warning look, but it was rather less impressive when aimed at a man who was easily two stone his superior.
Dr. McCullom watched the footman leave and he made a point of closing the door several inches more than the lad had allowed. He turned back to her and Juliette became suddenly aware that she’d never been so alone with a man to whom she was unrelated. As if sensing her nerves, McCullom’s face softened. His tone was gentler than when he’d spoken to Thomas; this was quite clearly the tone he used with overwrought and ailing ladies. With the faint lilt to his inflection, she found she didn’t mind it as much as she might have had it come from anyone else.
“Now, my lady; if you would please remove your stocking so I might examine your injured ankle.”
Juliette’s thoughts came to a screeching halt.
“I beg your pardon?” Had he asked her what she thought he had?
“I assure you, I’ve no ill intentions,” he reassured her; “I merely need to see the limb to assess the best course of treatment.”
She met his eyes but saw no subterfuge. There was no spark of mischief or lechery. Still…to allow a man such a liberty…even a doctor. Juliette scolded herself. Were he not half so handsome, would she have been quite so nervous? What a silly notion. He was simply doing his job. And he was well-respected. Surely something would have been said by now were he mistreating his female clients.
Reading her indecision with his uncanny sensibilities, McCullom sought to reassure her once again. “It truly is the best way for me to determine if the limb requires a splint or a wrap. I can always perform the examination over your stocking, but I want to be sure the bruising is not extensive.”
Convinced, Juliette nodded. McCullom excused himself to wash his hands and allow her some privacy. She waited several heartbeats before getting to her feet as best as she could. Not without a great deal of difficulty and whispered curses, she was able to pull aside her skirts, unbutton and kick off her shoe, undo the tapes holding up her thigh-high stocking, and slide off the undergarment.
She’d just regained her seat when there was a light rap at the door. She bid the knocker to enter and McCullom’s large frame filled the doorway. It took her but a moment to realize that he’d doffed his coat and was only in his charcoal-colored waistcoat and shirtsleeves. If it was possible, he seemed even larger without the confining fabric of his well-cut coat.
Suddenly aware that she was still holding her silk stocking in her hand, Juliette hastily shoved it beneath her hip. If he noticed, then he was kind enough to say nothing. He closed the door and left a gap only an inch or two wide, as he’d promised he would. It afforded them some privacy but allowed Thomas to hear anything should she require his presence.
McCullom gave her a reassuring smile that did funny things to the pit of her stomach.
“There, now; let us see what damage has been done.” He knelt before her and Juliette realized he was waiting for her to lift the hem of her skirts. As awkward as the encounter was, he was affording her every nicety possible and respecting her space as much as he could.
Her cheeks burned painfully when he began examining her foot and ankle with focused interest. When he asked permission to touch her, she just about expired on the spot. She had to avert her eyes and focus on one of the documents mounted on the wall. Though supremely gentle, the sight of her foot in his enormous hands made her realize that he really could snap her in two if he so wished. It was an unexpectedly heady realization.
Dr. McCullom proceeded to tenderly palpate the swollen joint with surprisingly gentle fingers, flexing it this way and that, stopping just shy of when he would cause her pain. Juliette watched the top of his head as he worked quietly and efficiently.
“I don’t believe I truly thanked you for your quick reactions,” Juliette murmured, fascinated by the tingling sensation of the pads of his large fingers on her foot and ankle.
What might it feel like to have those hands elsewhere…?
“There’s no need to thank me,” he replied, still focused on her foot. He moved aside her skirts to see just how high the ugly purple bruise and the corresponding swelling had traveled. The foreign sensation of his fingers against the back of her calf sent a pleasant chill down her spine.
So in tune with the human body, McCullom noticed the slight movement she made. His eyes flew to her face.
“My apologies; was that painful?”
Juliette quickly shook her head and he turned back to his examination.
∞∞∞
Ian was always detached and professional during his examinations. He’d seen many a disrobed woman and even been outright solicited forotherservices alongside the medical care he provided, but never before had he been so distracted by a patient. And by such an inane body part as a foot and ankle.
