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He spoke with slightly accented English. An Indian accent, if Alice wasn’t mistaken.
“Finished with what?” she asked.
“Lord Hatherly led me to understand that you might require assistance in translating a Sanskrit manuscript. I’m no Sanskrit scholar, but I do read the language and would be happy to help, if I’m able. I apologize if my visit is a surprise. Is Lord Hatherly here?”
“He’s out this morning.” Nick had asked someone to help her with the translation? When had he done it? And why? “Please have a seat, Doctor.” They sat in comfortable chairs arranged before the fireplace. “What part of India are you from? I will voyage to Calcutta soon.”
“Then you travel to my home city. How do you happen to be in possession of ancient Indian manuscripts?”
“My grandfather was a director in the East India Company and a collector of literature.” She wouldn’t reveal that his collection had been of a decidedly salacious nature.
A momentary disquiet crossed Dr. Forster’s face, but he quickly regained his smile. “So your grandfather acquired the manuscripts directly from India.”
She nodded. “And I will return them there. I’ll donate them to the Fort William College library for use by the Asiatic Society.”
“Won’t Lord Hatherly have something to say about all this voyaging when you are newlyweds?”
“He wants me to travel.” One month of marriage and then the freedom for both of them to pursue their disparate interests.
“He’s a good man, Lord Hatherly.”
“He is?” Alice replied. “I mean, yes, of course he is.”
“He funds my research into the causes and treatment of mental derangement, especially milder cases, such as the duke’s, which I believe to be entirely curable.”
This was news to Alice. “You believe the duke may be cured?”
“I believe that Lord Hatherly’s care and attention to his father’s needs, and the wide berth he gives him in which to roam, are the best possible methods for attempting a cure.”
“You mean that locking up lunatics is harmful for them?”
“If the case is mild, locking away someone with a nervous or mental complaint and treating them with contempt and callousness can only exacerbate the malady, and in some instances may even hasten an untimely demise.”
“How fascinating.”
“The methods of care Lord Hatherly employs are quite novel,” the doctor continued, “and I believe they deserve serious study. Encouraging the Duke to continue cultivating his orchids has had an extremely therapeutic effect.”
“I’m to visit his orchid conservatory today.”
“You’ll be amazed. I’ve never seen a more beautiful collection.”
Alice smiled at his enthusiasm. “I’m curious, doctor, whether you know anything about Lord Hatherly’s servants?”
Dr. Forster ducked his head. “I’ll leave that subject for your husband to explain. You know, I’ve been attempting to convince him to write about his father’s case. Perhaps even publish a case study.”
Interesting how he’d changed the subject so swiftly when she mentioned Nick’s servants.
“But I’m sure you would rather speak of Sanskrit manuscripts than case studies, Lady Hatherly. What are you working on?”
“I’ve been translating a fragment from a temple text on the subject of love and desire.”
“The Ananga-Ranga?”
Alice stared in surprise. “You’ve heard of the Ananga-Ranga? Well, this may be of some interest to you, then. The fragment I possess is believed by a scholar in Calcutta to be from The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana, referenced so frequently in other works, but much more uncommon.”
“Extraordinary,” exclaimed Dr. Forster. “I’ve heard of this elusive Kama Sutra.”
Should she go and fetch the manuscript? But the subject matter...
