“But before his latest attack, he wasn’t threatened,” Edith said. “He wasn’t scared.”
“I think he was,” Oliver said with an air of triumph. “He was worried about you. The same thing happened in the Scarlet Room. You fell into the pool, he pulled you out, and afterwards, he had a seizure. Fear, worry, and anxiety for someone he cares about.”
Perry reclined on the pillow. “What am I supposed to do, then?”
Oliver’s enthusiastic expression settled down as if he were disappointed that Perry didn’t share his ecstasy. “It’s obvious, isn’t it? Don’t get scared.”
“Oh, thank you. Why didn’t I think of that?” Perry scowled at his friend. “Remind me how much I pay you.”
Oliver rubbed the back of his neck. “We can work on techniques to control your fears and anxiety. Perhaps we can find a medicinal herb that helps. But you have to do the biggest part of the job and work on your emotions.”
Perry stared at her, sending her all the warmth of his love. “Nothing more simple.”
Edith couldn’t sit stillin the carriage as they rode to Sir James’s house.
Perry had been right. The prestigious physician hadn’t hesitated to express his support for her. She suspected Sir James’s help had more to do with the Star Maiden than her medical skills. Anyway, beggars couldn’t be choosers. Only two days were left before the possibility of trying the admission test ended. But the urgency wasn’t why she was so nervous. Above all, she wanted to do a good job.
“Stay calm,” Perry said from the seat in front of her. “You’ve studied so hard. I’m sure everything will be fine. However it goes, I’m proud of you.”
He sounded so honest and determined that some of his calm seeped into her.
“There’s something else I wanted to ask you.” She shifted her weight and cleared her voice. “It’s about our marriage and my career. We’ve always said they’re incompatible, but I might have found a solution.”
He held her hand. “I’m listening.”
“Well, don’t be offended, but I was thinking, if I become your countess…” It was more difficult than she thought. “I won’t need to work.”
He drew his eyebrows together. “You won’t be happy if you renounce your career, and I’m worried this choice might cause you to resent me over time.”
“No, I mean, I’ll study, get my degree, and then I’ll volunteer. I care about helping people, and I can do that in every hospital as a volunteer if I don’t have to earn a salary to live. Florence Nightingale had a staff of female volunteers, some of whom weretitled ladies, and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson manages an all-female hospital in Mayfair where many volunteers work.”
“You won’t become a consultant surgeon, be part of any medical associations, publish articles in prestigious medical journals, or attend conferences.”
“It’s the price to pay to be a doctor and your countess, and it’s a good compromise.”
He burst out laughing and kissed her hands. “You’re a genius!”
She laughed as well, the tension leaving her. “Now I only have to pass the test.”
“I propose a bet. If you pass the test… no. When you pass the test, you’ll spend a night with me. All night.”
“You’re on.”
Thank goodness the queen’s physician lived on the outskirts of London where the traffic was non-existent. Edith had the opportunity to concentrate on her exam without distraction.
Sir James seemed unable to stay still as he welcomed them.
He smiled broadly, gazing from her to Perry. “Lord Ravenscroft, what an honour to have you here in my humble home.”
Thehumblehome was a two-storey manor house with at least a dozen bedrooms, a deck surrounded by Grecian columns, and a garden that stretched for yards in every direction. Not even Perry’s townhouse in London had such a grandiose garden. Not to mention the stunning paintings hanging on the walls. Paintings by Turner, Delacroix, and, of course, Valentine brightened the hallway with their beautiful rural views. She guessed the most explicit paintings were hidden somewhere.
“Thank you for agreeing to see us.” Perry gave a polite nod.
“My pleasure. I love encouraging young people to study the noble science of medicine. Let’s begin the test then. I believe the opportunity to enrol in medical school is going to closetomorrow. We must be quick.” Sir James stretched out an arm towards a cosy study. “Everything is ready.”
“I’ll wait outside,” Perry said. “Good luck.”
Worry tightened her stomach as she sat in the small study with her forty-question test on the table. Sir James got himself comfortable in a chair, smoking a pipe and reading the newspaper.
