Page 14 of The Marquess of Secrets

With a gentle touch, he ran his gloved fingers across the scarring. “These are not recent. How long ago?”

Lydia gulped. “More than three months.”

“Opium or cocaine?”

“A mixture of both, I imagine.”

“Toxic and dangerous. Did you become addicted?”

Lydia met his gaze. There was no judgment anywhere in his eyes, only concern. When was the last time someone worried for her?

“No. I don’t crave it.”

His fingers continued to explore the bumps. “The skin was torn during the injecting; did you do this, or did someone else?”

Doctor Damian wandered too close to the truth. No matter his conciliatory tone, she would not reveal the depths of her debauched relationship with Huntsford to anyone.

Abruptly, she yanked her arm away and pulled the sleeve down to cover the scars.

“It’s in the past, one I would rather forget.” A coughing fit overtook her, and she brought up phlegm in her hand. How mortifying.

But the doctor did not react, merely pulled out a cloth from his apron pocket, clasped her hand, and wiped it.

“Yellow,” he murmured. “A sign of an infection. But you know that; do you not, Miss Best?”

“Only because my mother died of consumption, Doctor,” she replied firmly.

He folded the cloth and tucked it away. “How long ago?”

“Ten years.”

“Sister Monica mentioned since your father passed, you’ve been alone and have run out of money. Would you be open to considering a job?”

Oh, why couldn’t everyone just leave her alone?

She was an ungrateful piece of baggage. Lydia was in no position to turn down assistance. Not at this stage. It is why she came here after all. Well, for medical aid more than anything. Might as well accept the help.

“Doing what?” she sniffled.

The doctor handed her another cloth, and she wiped her runny nose.

“When you’ve recovered, we could try and procure a position in a shop. Or perhaps a companion to a lady.”

Companion? Indentured servant more like. Lydia could not be choosy. Being a companion meant she would be off the street, hidden away.

“The way I look?”

“One step at a time, Miss Best. You must recover first. We have donations of second-hand clothes. There may be something that will suffice for an interview. We not only give aid medically and physically, but we also try and assist those who wish it, another chance to rejoin society in whatever capacity.”

Doctor Damian stood. “Yes. Working as a companion would be suitable for a young lady such as yourself. You are well-spoken, educated, have experience caring for someone who was ill.”

A young lady such as yourself.

Well. Lydia Had been put in her place. Servant, indeed.

But judging by the kindness she read in the doctor’s eyes, he meant no insult.

“You’ve had your dinner?” he asked.