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Chapter 13
Everything is therefore in the power of destiny, who is the lord of gain and loss, of success and defeat, of pleasure and pain.
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana
A knock sounded on the door, rousing Alice from a fitful sleep that had been interrupted often to help Jane, who’d mumbled about the Yellow House all night in her sleep.
Expecting Nick, Alice was disappointed to find March waiting outside the door.
“You’re to go to the library,” he said without preamble.
“Why?”
“Because the doctor is waiting for you.” He shook his head. “You’re quite slow, you know.”
Perhaps Nick had summoned a physician to examine Jane. “Where’s Lord Hatherly?”
March tugged at his earlobe. “Not home yet. Went out with the cap’n last night and never came home.”
“Never came home?” Alice exclaimed.
“Come on, hurry up. Daft girl,” he grumbled as he started down the corridor. “Don’t know why ’e wants her ’ere.”
“You needn’t be so rude. I don’t think—”
“Then you really shouldn’t speak.”
Indignant, Alice was about to make a cutting retort when she remembered what Nick had said last night: They’re not really servants.
Apparently not. No one would pay wages for such insulting behavior.
She intended to find out more about what he’d meant as soon as she saw him. She had so many questions. About Jane, and his servants, and... everything.
Kali raced down the hallway and rubbed up against March’s ankles. The manservant made a face. “Oh, it’s you, you rodent of an unusual size.”
Alice paused outside the door of the library. “Will you carry Kali outside for some exercise?” Now that Gertrude’s enclosure had been repaired, Kali could go explore.
March lifted Kali and held her at arm’s length, scrunching up his already deeply wrinkled face. “Maybe it’ll run away,” he said hopefully.
Kali purred, oblivious to his insults.
“She won’t run away. She always comes back to me.” Alice scratched under Kali’s chin. “Have fun exploring, Queen Kali.”
The grumpy March carried Kali away, muttering all the while about daft ladies and their precious royal rodents.
Alice entered the library.
A tall, well-built gentleman with dark hair, dark eyes, and light brown skin was waiting by the fireplace. Young—maybe the same age as she.
“Lady Hatherly?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m Dr. Forster.” He paused. “You’re expecting me?”
“Actually, I’m not. Are you here for an... examination?” Jane had arrived in such mysterious circumstances that Alice didn’t know how much she could divulge to a stranger.
“I’m the Duke’s personal physician. When you and I are finished, I’ll go and visit him.”
