Page 46 of The Gentleman Physician

This loss would pain Julia as she mourned with her cousin. The bond between the women was a close one, forged by friendship as much as family ties. The memory of Julia’s beseeching eyes when she asked him to help the baroness came to him. She’d asked him to do what he could to help Lady Heatherton.

The baroness’s fainting spell from her lack of sleep and nourishment was testament to her state of health. As strong as she was, Nathaniel could see the stress of the last several days in her bearing. Death of a loved one would take its toll further on her strength, and a long night of grieving would not help her situation. The days ahead would be trying enough without her falling ill from exhaustion.

There was something he could do to help with that.

He took in a deep breath and went back to the baron’s room. He rapped softly on the door frame before entering. The baroness remained where he had left her, kneeling beside her husband’s bed, her head bowed over his form. He took in the dark circles beneath her eyes and the tears upon her face.

He knew what a broken heart felt like, but this was more painful, more poignant and agonizing than he could imagine. Her love had been forged through years of marriage, the births of her children, and now her heart went through the crushing finality of death. It was there in every line of her face, in the way she held her body.

“My lady.” Nathaniel waited until she raised her head to speak.

Lady Heatherton bent her head to place one last kiss against her husband’s cheek. She carefully stroked the hair back from his eyes. Then she looked up at Nathaniel, her eyes reddened by tears and her face white with grief.

“Whenever you are ready, my lady.”

She gazed at her husband’s peaceful face. “Goodbye, my love.” She looked up at Nathaniel. “I am ready, Doctor.”

He gave her his hand and lifted her from the floor, then tucked it through his arm and led her out, surreptitiously lifting his bag from the stand where he’d left it. The housekeeper was in the hallway, a shawl wrapped around her nightclothes.

“Mrs. Fairchild, please send for tea for Lady Heatherton. Then sit outside the door here. Do not allow anyone to enter.”

The woman nodded her understanding and he continued to the sitting room.

“Is your cousin with the children?”

“Yes.” She started, brought to sudden remembrance. “We must tell Julia—”

“We will, my lady. As your doctor, I must first make certain you are cared for. Sit here.”

She obeyed, her movements slow and decorous, her gaze unfocused.

Nathaniel put his head outside the door and saw a maid hurrying down the hall, a tea tray wobbling in her hands. It was the maid he’d seen with Julia but a week past. He intercepted her, trying to recall her name.

“Emily?”

She stopped and stared at him, confusion written all over her face.

“Is that tea for Miss Devon?”

She nodded, then shook her head. “It was, but when Missus saw me with it she said to bring it to her ladyship instead.”

“Excellent. I will take it from here. Go at once and tell Miss Devon that her cousin has need of her.” After taking the tray into the sitting room, Nathaniel picked up his bag where he had dropped it inside the door and found a small glass bottle. He added several drops from the bottle to the cup and then poured the tea.

He went to kneel before the baroness and cleared his throat to gain her attention. She looked up at him, her eyes heavy with more tears.

“I’m sorry, Doctor. I ought to pour you tea.” Grief was a strange thing. It took hold of people and made them act in ways which often showed their true nature. Lady Heatherton was a gentlewoman, always attempting to put others first in her thoughts.

But she remained weakened, he could see, hardly able to stand on her own. The demands upon her in the morning, the necessary steps she must take to begin the mourning process, would be emotionally and physically taxing for her in her state.

“My lady, you are in no state to look after anyone. Your children are well cared for. The staff knows what to do. As your doctor, and as someone who holds you in the highest regard, I must impress upon you how important it is that you keep up your strength. The night before you is long and purposeless. I must ask you to drink this tea. I’ve added a sleeping drought to it. You are to take it and go directly to bed.”

“No.” She shook her head and drew her hands into her lap. “Charles cannot be left. It isn’t right.”

Julia appeared at his side, kneeling next to him, and her hands reached out to take her cousin’s. “Ginny, my dear, you must. Please.” Julia’s eyes were wet with tears, but her expression was compassionate and gentle. Nathaniel could not remember seeing a more comforting sight.

“Doctor Hastings is only trying to care for you,” she added after sharing a quick glance with Nathaniel. “The children will need you tomorrow.”

The baroness choked back a sob and met her cousin’s eyes. “I cannot leave him alone. Julia, he can’t—and the boys. They shouldn’t be alone.”