Whatever. No point in arguing. “It isn’t some type of pox, right?”
“No, it’s nothing contagious, but you need to take it seriously.” He ripped a page from the notebook and handed it to me. “Disinfect the wounds with diluted carbolic acid or tincture of iodine. You’ll need some salicin crystals dissolved in water as well.”
“To wash the wounds?”
He exhaled. “To drink.”
Those drugs would cost a fortune.
“If the wounds get worse, come here. I might have to incise them to purge them of the pus.”
The wordsinciseandpurgedidn’t make me want to return here.
He opened the door. “Who’s next?”
And that was all.
As I hopped off the table, the wounds throbbed as if outraged after the examination.
Miss Harlowe was still on the bench, less green.
“All done?” She stood up.
“The doctor insisted the wounds were from an animal bite. He gave me quite a long explanation.” I rubbed the aching spots on my neck. “At least I’m not contagious. He prescribed me a few drugs.”
She held my hand, and I froze. Not because I was shocked, but because the contact was too nice. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had held my hand.
She withdrew her hand slowly, leaving a trail of sweetness behind. “Sorry.”
I averted my gaze from her pretty face, not to show how much I’d liked her touch. Oh, right. She must have sensed that.
I cleared my throat. “We’d better take the omnibus.”
“Actually, you take it. I’ll walk.” She handed me the ticket fare. “I don’t want to spend more time in a crowded, narrow place.”
On any other occasion, I would snatch the money and leave, but I couldn’t.
“I’ll walk with you.” The proposition came without warning.
“You aren’t well. And you need to buy those drugs. I’ll be fine.” She offered me the money again.
And again, I didn’t take it. Something was very wrong with me.
“I can stop at the chemist along the way.”
She put the money back in her bag. “All right.”
We walked towards Mayfair in silence at first. She stayed tense and skittish and winced when groups of people brushed past her. I wasn’t faring better. Walking drained me. My neck was burning, and I was tired and thirsty. My mouth was parched. Each inhale hurt my throat. The world tilted.
I stopped at a corner and doubled over, breathing hard.
“Take the omnibus.” She dipped her head to catch my gaze. “There’s a stop over there. You’re exhausting yourself.”
“I need to drink.” I straightened and closed a hand around my throat.
“What did you say?” She touched my shoulder.
Her scent, a combination of jasmine and orange blossom, worsened the thirst. There was another scent, something I didn’t fully catch, but that drove me mad. It was rich, coppery, and flowery at the same time. Completely mouthwatering.
