Page 34 of A Virgin for the Rakish Duke

He spoke as he flew from drawer to cabinet, producing bottles and vials, packets and mortar and pestle. Jeremy watched him in bewilderment, silently thanking God for his decision to knock at the first door in the street.

“I am a Duke, money is no object,” he put in desperately at the spots of momentary silence.

Doctor March gave him a steely-eyed glare.

“Don't talk to me about money, Your Grace. There's a life at stake, and one that I know. Another providential coincidence. I don't suppose you'd be willing to leave her with me and go and inform her brother of her predicament, would you?”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Harriet seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Doctor March’s injection had eased the swelling in her throat, and though her breathing had been ragged at first, it was now steady. An hour had passed, and the worst seemed behind her.

Jeremy had refused to leave her side, insisting he was her fiancé—though March knew full well she had a brother.

I am gambling that they are not close, otherwise Ralph would have introduced us. An acquaintanceship then. It must be that.

March had shrugged and continued his work without mentioning it again.

“I believe she will recover in full. I should like her to remain here for tonight at least, so that I may monitor her. I would also like to run some tests so that I can try and understand the reaction sheunderwent. I have a feeling lives will be saved if we can decipher said reaction.”

Doctor March was an earnest man with a fine-featured face and swept-back black hair that was parted in the middle. His accent was of the north-east and had the hallmarks of a man born to common stock but elevated by his skill.

“Of course. I will remain with her if I may. I am happy to sleep on a chair if there is no bed.”

“There is not, except for mine and a guest bed for patients. You are neither me nor a patient. As you are her betrothed, I suppose you can be allowed to watch over her while she sleeps. In the meanwhile, I will send word to her brother...”

At that moment, Harriet's eyes flew open.

“Ralph? No, please don't!” she gasped, trying to rise.

Jeremy pushed her down gently, one hand on her shoulder. Harriet was shaking her head.

Doctor March frowned, glancing from his patient to Jeremy.

“If you know of Ralph, then you may know of his good friend the Duke of Penhaligon,” Jeremy coaxed. “That is me. I assure you that Harriet is quite safe with me and that we have every reason to keep this matter between us.”

“Please, if my brother finds out, then he will never let me leave the house again. I—I will be a prisoner until Michaelmas,” Harriet entreated.

Doctor March smiled, then sat at the foot of the chaise. Taking out a pocket watch, he pressed two fingers against Harriet's wrist, counting under his breath. Then he pressed a listening tube against her chest before nodding in satisfaction.

“You are in no imminent danger, and I must respect my patient's wishes,” he said at last. “Your Grace, may I speak to you privately for a moment?”

He left the room. Jeremy rose to leave, too, but Harriet caught his hand. He crouched at her side, putting one hand to her brow, which felt cool to the touch.

“Thank you, Your Grace. Your quick thinking saved me, I think.”

Jeremy smiled sincerely at her. “I could not stand idly by, and knew that Harley Street has more than its fair share of clinics and physicians.”

“P-please do not let the doctor tell Ralph. I know you will not, it does not serve your purpose to let this end now.”

“No, it does not serve my purpose,” he echoed.

She held his eyes, and he found himself quite unable to follow the good doctor from the room.

I must. Something tells me he has more to say on the subject of keeping secrets from Ralph. Should I ask Harriet about Simon? A coincidence that she knows Eloise, and that he should know that we had planned to walk in Hyde Park. She cannot be conspiring with him. Can she?

“I am sorry for causing so much trouble. I know that you did not bargain for it,” Harriet whispered meekly.

“It has certainly been… an adventure so far,” Jeremy admitted slowly, “and that has always been a calling for me.”