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The three women looked at each other and laughed. Carter’s undying devotion to his wife and son was the subject of many chortles. Except as far as Rayne observed, the others in their group, Marcus Mallory, Lord Berkshire, and Nick Smith were all the same. It seemed the men who fell in love with one of the Merry Misfits of Bath—as they were all known—were good-and-well besotted.
Rayne had been drawn into the group of women and was thrilled to have female friends. For most of her childhood, with her devotion to studies, she hadn’t the time to develop relationships with other girls. Then, being the only female student at St. Bartholomew’s, and not widely accepted, there were no friends to be had there, either.
She mixed up the combination of herbs that would help the little boy and handed the jar to Lottie. “This should help, but I hate to tell you the best cure is time. It will run its course.”
“Thank you so much.” Lottie took the jar and placed it carefully on the shelf. They all walked to the door, and it appeared the babe had fallen asleep in his grandmother’s arms.
The silence was a blessing. “I am off to visit Lizbeth now. ‘Tis time for her monthly check-up.”
“I hope you can join us all for tea this week. I know you are busy, but you must take time for yourself,” Lottie said.
Time for herself sounded wonderful, but something quite elusive with her present in-house patient. “I agree. Physician heal thyself.” They were all truly wonderful women and she was so grateful to have met them. “Just send a note around when you have a day and time and if there are no emergencies, I will be honored to join you.”
The air had turned cooler, but Rayne still enjoyed the bicycle ride from the Westbrooke residence to see Lizbeth. As she sped by the houses between the two residences, she smiled at the memory of Lizbeth approaching her shortly after her marriage to ask for guidance.
Lizbeth had been kidnapped and sold to a brothel and was rescued by Nick Smith and Lizbeth’s now husband, Marcus. Although very much in love with her new husband, she was having a hard time with the idea of intimacy. Whatever Rayne had said to her had worked because only a few months later after a visit to her infirmary, Rayne was pleased to tell Lizbeth that she was with child.
Truthfully, Rayne was sure Marcus’s charm and seduction skills had much more to do with Lizbeth’s comfort with the marital bed than Rayne’s words.
Lizbeth’s examination went quite well, which was no surprise because the mother-to-be was a young and healthy woman.
“Rayne, I’m sorry, I know you are the doctor, but I am certain I am carrying twins. I still have three months to go and I’m big as a house.” Lizbeth rubbed her lower back as she settled into the settee in her drawing room, adjusting the necessary pillow against her back.
“As I told you, given all your signs, it is quite possible. However, I only feel one baby right now, but it’s possible that they are situated in such a way that the second one is—for lack of a better term—hiding.”
Marcus Mallory strolled into the drawing room. “Ah, good afternoon, Dr. Stevens. How is my lovely wife doing?”
Lizbeth smiled brightly at her husband who walked right up to her and took her hand, giving it a gentle kiss. Dr. Stevens grinned when Lizbeth blushed. They were such a sweet couple. “I just finished her examination and she is doing quite well, Mr. Mallory. Healthy, and happy. The best kind of mothers-to-be.”
“Since you are on a first name basis with all the men and women in our group of friends, I suggest we drop the Mr. Mallory.”
“Yes. And we can drop the Dr. Stevens, as well.”
“Will you be staying for dinner?” He poured a brandy and joined the ladies in the chair across from where they sat on the settee. Apparently, he knew of her aversion to spirits because he did not offer her one.
“I’m afraid not. I have a patient in my infirmary who needs looking after.” She tightened her lips and shook her head. “A gentleman who was in dismal condition when he was dropped by his idiot friends on my front doorstep a few days ago.”
Lizbeth’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, my goodness.”
“Yes. I understand the man has quite the reputation with dissipation, debauchery, and other unsavory habits.”
“You aren’t referring to Lord Sterling, are you?” Marcus asked swirling the liquid around in his glass.
“Yes. I’m afraid that’s who was dumped at my door.”
Marcus snorted and sipped his drink.
“Is he in bad shape?” Lizbeth asked.
Rayne stood and began gathering her medical bag, gloves, and hat. “Yes. Not life threatening, but his behavior and the way he abuses his body will be life-threatening in the future if he doesn’t stop.”
“What I find strange, is I’ve known Sterling for many years. It’s only in the past two years, once he moved to Bath in fact, that he has taken up this path to destruction,” Marcus added as he walked her to the door.
He gave her a slight bow. “Thank you again for taking such good care of my wife.”
Rayne smiled. “I can only do so much, but I assure you, your everyday care of her is what makes for a happy woman in her condition.” She shrugged into her coat and offered a smile. “Good day, Marcus.”
* * *
