The spasms slowly died down. His muscles relaxed, and his eyes rolled back into his skull.
“Open his mouth lest he choke on his tongue,” Father said. “If he casts up his accounts, make sure he doesn’t suffocate.”
She did as she was told and gently opened Perry’s mouth. “I know you don’t trust me, Father, but I’ve changed. Perry is helping me, and nothing happened in Hyde Park.”
Perry blinked slowly, his breathing returning to normal.
“He’s an honourable man.” She caressed his cheek. “I trust him, and so should you.”
Perry swallowed a couple of times.
Without saying anything, Father rose to pour a glass of water. He helped Perry drink it. “Do you know what I want more than anything for you?”
“That I stop being wild, I guess.”
“No.” He scowled. “I want you to be happy. I don’t care if you become a doctor or not, or if you get married or become a spinster. I want to see you do whatever makes you happy, and in the past years, you’ve been anything but. That worries me more than gossip or your medical degree. I know I’m grumpy, and it’s not easy to talk to me, but I love you, your mother, and your sister more than anything else, and it pains me to see you sad and lost. I can stitch a wound or fix a bone, but I can’t mend a soul.”
“I’m not sad anymore. I know what I want.”
He moved to hold Perry up. “Help me lay him on the sofa.”
She took Perry’s legs up while Father carried him to the sofa.
“Thank you,” Perry said in a quivering voice. “I’m better now.”
“You’re welcome, Ravenscroft,” Father said in the compassionate tone he used for his patients. He covered him with a blanket before facing Edith. “Whatever you choose, be sure it’s what you want. I can live if you decide you don’t want to be a doctor. I can’t live if you’re miserable.” He hugged her. It was a crushing bear hug that filled her with love and hope.
She rested her head on his chest. “Thank you.”
He patted the top of her as he’d used to do when she was a child. “And just so you know, Mrs. Richards will receive fully funded care for her recovery.”
“Oh, Father.” She returned the hug, squeezing him as hard as she could.
Her father’s love was the best motivation to pass the test.
