Samuel moved away to give room to the captain. “She’s barely conscious.”
“Let me see.” The captain checked her pulse and touched her neck.
Vivienne blinked a few times as if she had trouble seeing. Captain Jackson checked her pulse again.
“Samuel believes Dr. Tucker is Murdock,” Dobkins said. “He wanted to take Lady Vivienne to an asylum.”
Captain Jackson whipped his head towards them. “What the hell!”
“Dr. Tucker’s description fits Murdock’s,” Dobkins said. “His timing in becoming Lady Vivienne’s physician is suspicious as well.”
“As if I didn’t hate the bastard enough.” The captain focused on Vivienne.
“How is she?” Samuel asked when he couldn’t stand the silence any longer.
“Too much excitement. But nothing that a good night’s sleep and a tonic won’t cure. Her pulse is slow, but I guess it spiked earlier. I’ll be back in a moment.” The captain left the room.
Samuel lit the fire. “How are you?” he asked Dobkins.
“Agitated.”
“Thank you for bringing Vivienne here.”
“I failed her all this time. It won’t happen again.”
“What happened isn’t your fault.”
Dobkins shook with a sob. “I should have understood Dr. Tucker was a fraud. He took advantage of the countess’s feeble mind and Lady Vivienne’s pneumonia.”
“The important thing is that Vivienne will be better.” He covered Vivienne with the quilt and caressed her hand.
She heaved a sigh and opened her eyes. A fleeting smile graced her lips. “Samuel.”
He kissed her knuckles. “You’re safe.”
“I know.”
“Here we are.” The captain came back, twirling a spoon in a large glass containing an amber-coloured liquid. “Vivienne, you’re awake. Good. Drink this. There are ginger, lemon, turmeric, dittany, and a lot of activated charcoal. I can’t guarantee the taste is good, but I can guarantee the effect is great.”
Samuel held her up and helped her sip the tonic, worried about her pale complexion.
She scrunched up her face after a few sips. “Horrid stuff.”
“You caught me unprepared.” Captain Jackson clicked his tongue. “I’ll prepare something sweeter for tomorrow. Now drink it up.”
She did as told, her cheeks flushing red. “Its strength is the disgust. I already feel better.”
“Excellent.” The captain checked her pulse again. “It’ll take time, but your strength will come back, although you’ll need to drink that tonic every day.”
She sagged against Samuel, and he welcomed her weight, vowing to take care of her.
Dobkins hadn’t failed her. He had.
Vivienne swallowed hard. “I’ll force myself to feel better just not to have to drink this anymore.”
“You should rest.” The captain glanced at Dobkins. “So should you.”
Bernard came back with the newspaper. “A few pages are missing because the flame-keeper uses them to start the fire.”
