Treating a Sinful Earl by Henrietta Harding
Chapter 35
The journey to London was filled with anticipation. Catherine felt great conviction, and also, she felt intense love. If she could heal Jasper, they would have a lifetime to themselves. Nothing would make Catherine happier than that.
The shop was located down a sooty London street. There was so much hustle and bustle around them. Catherine felt the desire to flee, but she knew there was no turning back. Oh, how she already missed the calm streets of Bath! But fear would not deter her. Off in the distance, she saw the little shop window illuminated with candles and just as she hurried there, her chaperone complaining all the while, a cart went by and splashed a great deal of muddy water upon her gown.
Catherine froze, hating the cold, dirty feeling of the water. She looked down at her skirt and frowned to herself.
“We should turn back, my lady,” the chaperone said.
Catherine shook her head. “A little muddy water will not deter me. Come, the shop is just this way.”
She continued on, pushing through what felt like a crowd of people before arriving at the shop. The sign in front of it read, “Advik’s Remedies.” Peeking through the window, she noted that the shop was entirely empty. Was she in the right place? Why was no one else there?
“Wait out here,” she said to her chaperone.
“Truly?”
“Yes, truly.” Catherine pushed open the door to discover a tiny Indian man seated on a rug, several candles lit around him. His eyes were closed, and he appeared to be deep in prayer. “Have I disturbed you?” Catherine asked in a whisper.
He did not open his eyes. “No, I was expecting you.”
“You were expecting me?”
He nodded slowly. “Be seated.”
She did so while asking, “Are you Advik?”
He nodded again. “I am he. And although I was aware that you were coming, I do not know your name.”
“I am Catherine Trowbridge,” she replied with a smile. “How did you know I was coming?”
“I know such things. I am a great shaman, after all.” There was humour in his voice. “Miss Trowbridge,” he opened his eyes, “how may I help you today?”
The words fell out of her mouth quickly. “I am here on behalf of the Earl of Simmons, a very ill man with only six months to live.”
“Tell me of his symptoms,” Advik said, perfectly calm.
“The doctors are unable to tell him what the disease is, merely that he has little time. If you ask me, the diagnosis comes from the mere fact that they do not know what they are dealing with. He has been told that his symptoms mirror a severe lung or heart condition, and when he feels faint or breaks into a sweat, he truly sees his life flash before him. These bouts can be frequent and ongoing. I have made several remedies of my own to amend this, and although they helped, nothing has healed him completely.”
Advik took a weighty breath. “I see. You are an apothecary, as well?”
Catherine could not help but smile. “I am. I take great pride in what I do, and I wish to learn from you.”
Advik grinned, exposing more than a few missing teeth. “I am glad to hear that. Might I be honest with you? Women are the best healers. This is something the Hindu tradition keeps secret.” He spoke eloquently, with a rich Indian accent but perfect English.
“Is that so?” Catherine asked, delighted.
“Oh yes. Women have a far greater power to heal. What they lack is the knowledge. In India, only the men are taught the secrets, but the women have a secret touch. It is all too clear.”
“Then will you teach me, Advik? I am so desperate to learn. In my hometown of Bath, I am constantly experimenting with herbs from my garden and also herbs that I find in the forest. I have success, but not the kind of success that I really crave. Will you teach me?”
“You must be close to an Indian spice market,” he instructed, lifting a finger into the air. “The spices blended with the herbs are the key. I can provide you with everything that you need to heal this man, but if you truly want to learn, you must come to me so that I can share with you all that I know.”
Catherine was speechless yet had so many questions. “Why are you being so generous to me? Why is there no one here?”
“Because in my morning prayers, I was informed that my pupil would be arriving today. I am an old man, and this is necessary for my transition into the next life. When I learned that you were coming, I closed my shop for the day.”
She cocked her head to the side. “You appear no older than thirty years.”
Advik laughed. “I am ninety-five years of age. I have lived a good life.”
Should she laugh or cry? Advik certainly did not appear to be that ripe old age. There was no chance that he was lying, so she merely sat in wonder. “How have you kept so young?”
“Meditation, and my spices, of course. Age truly means nothing. I was excited to meet you, and now I am even more excited that you are a woman. The gods have truly led you to the right place.”
"And you say that you can heal my friend?”
“I know that I can. This all was part of my premonition before you arrived. Sometimes, the gods are the most wise.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent in exploration. Advik showed Catherine all of his texts, translated into English. He also showed her his spices and the significance of each one. “So, you see,” he said. “There is much to learn and memorize. These are the spices that can be mixed with your herbs to heal your friend. Boil these down, then create a tincture that should be administered thrice daily. The ailment should be cured within one month.”
Catherine was so overjoyed that she did not know what to say. An intense flood of relief washed over her. “Once I am married, I shall come to you to learn more,” she assured him.
Advik grinned yet again. “And I look forward to the company.”
Exiting the shop, Catherine was unsure how long she had been inside, but the sun was beginning to set. The chaperone sat asleep on a crate. Catherine touched her shoulder, and the chaperone instantly awoke.
“Heavens, you startled me!”
“We must return to Bath now.”
“This very moment?”
“Indeed.”
There was no sense in staying in London any longer. Catherine had achieved what she’d hoped for and there was no time to waste. They returned in their family coach, and Catherine looked down at the satchel of spices which were remarkably fragrant. She spent the rest of the journey deep in thought, gazing out the window as she did so. Heaving a sigh, Catherine knew that something magical was about to happen.
Upon entering the family home, Catherine stepped into the parlour, eager to greet her parents before rushing up to her room. What she discovered there was even more magical, for the Earl of Simmons stood there, her father by his side.
“What on earth?” Catherine asked.
Her father was the next to speak. “Be seated, Daughter.”
She wished to be seated after having an explanation, but she still fulfilled her father’s request. “What is happening?” She gazed directly into Jasper’s eyes, which glittered with delight.
“I have been speaking with the Earl of Simmons.”
“Oh?”
Jasper stepped in closer. “Catherine, I have asked your father for your hand in marriage.”
The room began to spin. Could this possibly be the truth? Had Jasper taken it upon himself to do such a heroic thing in her absence? “I did not know…I did not know you were coming.”
“I could hold back no longer. Your father has agreed to our marriage. I have told him everything regarding my health.”
Catherine turned towards her father. “And you still consent?”
He nodded. “If this is what makes you happy, it is a suitable match, Daughter. The Earl has sufficient funds at his disposal, and these will be transferred to you upon his death.”
Saying such a thing sounded cold and harsh, but Catherine understood that a marriage was a business contract of sorts, and she brushed it off. “Father, you do not realize how happy this makes me.” She finally stood, and her father came to embrace her.
“That is all that I need to know, Catherine. If you are happy, then I am even more pleased with the match. I will leave you two.”
Her father made his way to the door, motioning for the chaperone to follow him. When the door was closed, she and Jasper were entirely alone.
“Jasper, I do not know what to say.”
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Say that no matter what happens, you will continue to love me.”
“That is guaranteed.”
“Then it is all set. Everything that I possess is yours, including my body and soul.”
Tears threatened to fall, and Catherine would not hold them back. She let them fall, fully displaying her happiness.
“I shall accept them eagerly, whilst informing you that your health shall now be transformed.” She held up the little satchel for him to see. Jasper took it from her hand in interest.
“What is this?”
“Spices from an apothecary in London. These mixed with my herbs are going to heal you, Jasper. I am sure of it.”
“Nonsense. We do not have to worry ourselves about these matters any longer. What will be, will be. We shall love each other for eternity, whether I am here or no.”
She shook her head. “No, I am telling you how this is going to go,” she said playfully. “These tinctures shall heal you, and we shall be free to spend the rest of our days loving one another. I want you Jasper, all of you. Everything that you have offered me. But I want these things for many years to come. I will do everything in my power to heal you and I trust that this time it shall work.”
He came in close and kissed her softly, then forcefully, holding her in his arms and not letting go. Catherine heard herself softly moan. She was grateful that they could be alone together to share this moment, for it was delicious in every way. Oh, once they were wed, they could share this moment as often as they chose! They would be free to fully be there for one another, and to share their bodies the way that only a husband and a wife could! There was nothing more delicious than that notion.
When they pulled away, Catherine caught her breath and said, “I must go to my room at once to begin this process.”
“You shall leave me here?”
“I have no choice. It is imperative that I make these tinctures tonight so that you can begin tomorrow. The shaman instructed me that it would take one month’s time to see the results that we crave.”
He looked at her dubiously. “One month’s time? A shaman?”
“Yes, Advik,” she said warmly. “Oh, Jasper, he wants to teach me everything that he knows. He wishes to make me his apprentice. Would you allow such a thing?”
He gazed at her in mock seriousness. “Allow it?” He scratched his chin. “This is a difficult decision.”
She softy beat her hand upon his chest. “You’re toying with me.”
“I am.” Jasper took her hands. “You shall always be free to do as you choose. And if this shall make you happy, then it will make me happy.”
Before she could depart, Catherine leaned her head upon his chest and listened to his heartbeat. That was the very heart that would continue to beat for years to come due to her efforts. She sighed deeply then pulled away.
“I shall go now. We will encounter one another tomorrow…husband.”
“Yes, yes we shall.” He brought his hand to her cheek. “Wife.”