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The noise of his arrival must have alerted the man, for the physician himself opened his door before Daniel reached it, and directed Daniel to the room he used to consult patients. For the local aristocracy, Simpson went to them, but for the villagers and farmers, he required that they come to him.
“Simpson, please tell me that she will be alright! We had a carriage accident, and she was tossed out! I couldn’t stop it. A youth raced close past us in a cart, sending my horses into a panic, and us nearly into the trees – close enough that my carriage has a damaged wheel, curse him! Tell me that she will be alright!”
Daniel was beside himself with anxiety. The physician’s wife, a matronly woman who also assisted as a nurse, helped the men to arrange Verity on the bed which occupied one corner of the room. Then she patted his arm and turned him towards the door.
“You must not stay in here, Your Grace, we will see to her. Her colour is only slightly pale, and her breathing appears quite normal. Don’t worry, but pray seat yourself in the parlour to wait. We’ll be fetching you directly.”
Daniel allowed himself to be pushed out through the door, only because it would hurry the evaluation and his eventual reassurance. In truth, he did not want to leave her side.
She must recover.
She simplymust.
In that moment he realised just how empty his life would be, if she was not in it.
Chapter Seven
As he sat in the physician’s parlour, Daniel cast his mind back to the cart which had driven them off the road. He was sure, upon reflection, that he recognised it. Which meant that he also likely knew who had been driving it. Anger flared within him, and he determined that, once he was sure that Verity was safe, he would deal with the offender, severely.
It was not long, and yet an age before he heard the door open again and the physician smiled at his jump to his feet.
“Take your ease, Your Grace, the young lady will fully recover in time. You have chosen to support a gracious person, for she is most grateful and well spoken. You were quite correct to assume that her care while she carries this child would require more than old Maggie Carter could provide. I prescribe bed-rest for at least a month, to help ensure that the child stays in the womb until time. After the fall she’s had today, she needs to be treated gently to allow the body to recover. Even without the mishap, she is more frail than best supports a healthy infant.” Narrowing his eyes at the taller man, the physician continued. “You say that she is the widow of an old school friend?”
Daniel rubbed his face vigorously with his hands. Relief had coursed through him at the physician’s first words – for they meant that Verity was awake, and able to speak!
Then the final question registered upon him. As he reacted to that, he realised that his sigh and his eyes had told the physician more than he intended.
“Yes sir, not as close a friend as I have indicated to the lady, but how could I let her be abandoned by his death and his family’s heartless rejection?”
“Especially as you are in love with her yourself, Your Grace?” Simpson held up a hand as Daniel went to speak, and Daniel knew that, again, his face had given him away. The physician smiled and continued. “Quite understandable. But you must give her time to complete her mourning. Do not pressure her to consider you yet – that would not help her condition at all.”
As always, Mr Simpson’s concern was first for his patient, a quality Daniel greatly appreciated.
“Of course, Simpson — er..., can she travel by carriage soon? I’d like to tuck her up in the old hunting lodge cottage, but it won’t be ready for a day or two, so she will have to be at Maggie’s cottage at first. I’ll hire a maid for the while, to help Maggie, and to care for Mrs Millbrook. And I’d appreciate it if you could check on her every few days, at least to begin with.”
Mr Simpson smiled wryly and nodded.
“Of course. By the bye, she called you ‘Mr. Trowbridge’ not ‘His Grace’ or ‘Summerfield’. Neither my wife nor I corrected her, for we thought there might be a reason. Perhaps a reason related to the feelings you have for her?”
Daniel looked away for a moment, a little ashamed, then drew himself up and replied.
“There is a reason – and you have deduced correctly. When I met her – rather unconventionally - by accident, it was out in the meadow, with no one else about. I was struck by her beauty, and I wanted, for perhaps the first time in my life, to converse with a woman without my position in life dictating how the woman responded. I wanted to come to know her as a person, without any of the social expectations colouring the experience. I thank you for your kindness in not giving away the truth of it, and would appreciate it if you continue to allow me my subterfuge. I will tell her the truth of it in time – and soon, but I want that to be at a time of my own choosing.”
Mr Simpson regarded him for a moment, then gave a nod.
“I can understand that desire, Your Grace. I will do as you ask – but I suggest that you reveal yourself soon, for it would be best that she hear it from you, and not from servants’ gossip. At least, it would if you truly intend to pursue something more with her.”
“I agree, and thank you again.”
“Give her another hour in my wife’s care, and you can be off again.”
Daniel considered, only beginning to think clearly again, now that he knew that Verity would be all right. He did not trust the damaged carriage to convey her – which meant that he needed to arrange another carriage, and quickly.
“Simpson – might I borrow your pony and gig to take her back to Maggie’s? I’ll send it back to you post haste, with two of my grooms, who can then see to the repair of my own chaise and the care of my horses, which I apologise for leaving your man to deal with, while I’ve been in here.”
“Of course, Your Grace. But… please do not keep it for too long, lest someone needs my services. I would not want to be unable to get to a patient who needs me.”
Exhaling loudly, his relief clogging his throat, Daniel nodded his thanks and rose, ready to leave.
