Treating a Sinful Earl by Henrietta Harding
Chapter 38
“I wish for you to see a new doctor,” Catherine instructed.
“Another doctor?” Jasper asked, thinking it pointless. “There have been four in the past, and they have all come to the same conclusion. Yet, if you ask me, they have all appeared rather confused.”
“Indeed. There is a chance that the doctor you saw does not know what he sees! You cannot think that you have six months left when perhaps this is not the truth.”
Jasper had to pull away to go and sit at his desk, where his thoughts were clearer. Once he was seated, he clasped his hands on the desk and inhaled deeply. No, he did not wish to see another doctor, but if the love of his life was suggesting it, then perhaps it was the right thing to do.
“I shall do it, but this will be the last time. There is no more sense in it.”
Catherine clapped her hands together jubilantly. “I promise that it is for the best. I know how much it pains you.”
He said under his breath, “It pains me greatly.”
“But you shall see that there is still hope.”
“Which doctor do you suggest?” Jasper asked.
“A London doctor. I take it that you have only seen doctors in Bath?”
“Indeed.”
“Then go to London! Whilst you are there, I can go to the shaman and pick up more spices and herbs. We can both benefit from the trip.”
“Will you need a chaperone?” Jasper asked.
Catherine smiled broadly. “No. You shall be my husband, and even if my father insists, I shall deny him.”
Jasper had to think about this. Staying at an inn with his future wife was heady business, but he was sure that he had the strength to resist his true desire. As his future wife, her honour was still of the utmost importance to him. “Then we shall go. I will make all of the arrangements for tomorrow.”
“Oh, Jasper! This is the right thing to do.”
“There is something that I must request in order to do it.” He lifted his brows.
Catherine seemed suspicious. “What do you have in mind?”
“Stay with me tonight. Sleep in my arms. I promise that I will behave myself, but I do not wish for you to leave my sight.”
She seemed to consider this. “I would have to send word to my father.”
“If you must. But I cannot have you leave this estate.”
He felt a quickening in his chest as he awaited her reply. Finally, Catherine closed her eyes and tilted her head back, a little smile upon her lips. She said, “If that is what you wish, then so be it.”
“That is what I wish.”
What he could not say was that he desired so much more. But even the thought of having her in his arms throughout the night was enough to put Jasper at ease. If she was willing to do that, then Jasper would do anything for her. It would be a prelude of days to come when they would sleep beside one another every night.
“Then your wish shall be granted,” Catherine replied with a wry smile.
Jasper got up from the desk and came around, taking her hand in his. He led her from the study and up the stairs directly to his room. Once they were inside, he closed the door and finally had Catherine in the very place he wished for her to be.
When she looked at the bed, there was a tinge of fear in her eyes. “You are safe,” he assured her, going to sit on the bed and motioning for her to join him. She came, and after she was seated, Jasper began to undo his coat, waistcoat, and shirt. Catherine seemed surprised by this.
“You are undressing,” she said.
“Indeed, I am. You are welcome to do the same.”
Once Jasper was completely nude from the waist up, he watched as Catherine examined him in wonder. “You are so strong,” she said in awe.
“And you are so lovely.”
He could not help but assist her in undoing her own apparel, and once she was in her underclothes standing before him, Jasper drank her in with his eyes, noting every last curve. She was a vision, and there were so many things that he wished to do to her, but not on this occasion. For now, he would merely take her in his arms and let her know what it felt like to be completely protected.
He was the first to lay down, and Catherine brought herself beside him, placing a hand upon his bare chest. He covered her hand in his own and looked deeply into her eyes. “You shall have nothing to fear in life,” he assured her.
She moaned. “You are too good to me.”
“Nonsense. I wish to do even more.”
Catherine nestled her head against his shoulder, and Jasper closed his eyes in rapture, delighting in the feel of it. She fit into him perfectly, only confirming that their love was meant to be. Holding her tightly, he felt her breath become steady, and it was not long before Catherine was fast asleep in his arms. He gently kissed her upon the forehead and prevented himself from drifting into sleep as well, for he wished to bask in every moment of this delicious occurrence.
As he lay there, Jasper was in a dream of happiness. He had everything that he wanted in life right in his arms, and he was never going to let go until the Lord forced him to. He thought of their future children, and their children’s children. If only he would live long enough to see them all.
Just then, dread took over, and he had to wonder if the doctor’s prognosis in London would be the very same. What would they do then? He supposed that they would carry on just as they were now. He would hold Catherine tight for every moment that he could, knowing that she was his destiny.
***
Rushing through the bustling streets of London, Jasper held Catherine’s hand tightly. He did not care for all of the commotion but since this was what Catherine wanted, he was obliging. She had made arrangements for them to see a special doctor near where the apothecary was. When they finally reached the establishment, Jasper said, “I shall meet you when it is done.”
“I am going in with you.”
“I thought that you were going to the shaman,” he said.
She shook her head. “I must be with you. I want to know.”
Although Jasper did not wish for her to hear the next diagnosis, he could not refuse her. He opened the door to allow her in, and once they were inside, they discovered the doctor seated behind a desk. The doctor stood, his hair impossibly white and spectacles in front of his eyes.
“You must be the Earl of Simmons,” he said.
“I am.”
“My name is Doctor Clark.”
“This is my betrothed, Lady Catherine Trowbridge,” Jasper said, delighting in the introduction.
Doctor Clark nodded. “It is very nice to meet you both.”
They were invited into the examination room, where there was a table covered in white cloth and another doctor, equally as old and serious. Jasper seated himself upon this table as the two men examined him using various gadgets. Catherine sat in a chair in the corner. Jasper looked to her and smiled, showing his strength and courage. But the truth was that he was nervous. What if the diagnosis was the exact same or even worse? It would haunt them both.
“I see,” Doctor Clark said, examining one of Jasper’s veins.
“What do you see?” he asked.
“Your diagnosis is very clear but also hard to detect. It makes sense to me that other doctors have got it all wrong.”
Jasper’s face fell open in anticipation. “Wrong?”
“Indeed. This is certainly not a heart condition.” He walked over to a ledger where he scribbled some quick notes. “What you suffer from is a condition known as chlorosis. It is a rather rare condition but not what you have heard before.”
From the corner, Catherine stood in amazement. “Not what he has heard? I beg of you to explain.”
“My lord, this is not a life-threatening condition in the slightest. What you have is not only benign, but it is also curable. There are medicines that I can prescribe.”
“How had so many gotten it wrong?” Jasper asked.
The doctor sighed. “Research on this matter has only come out this very year. I fear that most doctors do not keep up with the newest research because they rely upon their tried-and-true ways. I make it a point to read everything that comes out of Oxford. The condition that you exhibit closely mimics those that are fatal, but from the colour of your blood and the nature of your breath, I know that those professionals were only slightly off. Trust that you will be one of the first that truly knows what is transpiring in their bodies.”
Jasper was at a loss for words. Was any of this even happening? Had the doctor just informed him that he was not going to die, after all? He looked to his future wife, who said, “Doctor, I might have you repeat those words again, for they bring me so much happiness that I fear I might faint.”
Not only did she fear that she might faint, but Catherine did indeed swoon after saying this. Jasper jumped off the table with speed and went to her, catching her just before she hit the ground. As she lay there in his arms, he felt fearful for her, and at the same time, felt an overwhelming joy that was impossible to describe.
“Are you all right, my love?” Jasper asked, a smile upon his lips.
She opened her eyes and examined his face. “You’re laughing at me?”
He shook his head. “Not in the slightest. I am just happy. Positively joyful.”
She finally smiled. “As am I.”
Once they left the doctor’s office hand-in-hand, Jasper felt as though the sun was shining for the first time. It was a beautiful day, and now, everything was complete. He and Catherine could share a long life with one another, have the large family that they both craved, and not have to worry about the looming threat of his fast death.
“I need to write to my mother at once.”
“There is a desk at the inn,” Catherine suggested.
Jasper kissed her on the forehead. “And afterwards, I shall take you to the most sumptuous supper you have yet feasted upon.”
“I need nothing in this world but you, and now I fully have you,” Catherine said.
As Jasper led her to the inn, she stopped him. “What is the matter?” he asked.
“I must see Advik at once. Now that we know the nature of your ailment, I am sure that he will provide me with more ingredients.”
Jasper could not help but smile broadly. “As you wish. Would you like me to go with you, my love?”
She shook her head. “I must go alone. And also, he probably knows that I am coming.”
Jasper was perplexed by this. “He knows that you are coming? Did you write him a letter?”
“No…he just knows.”
This sounded mysterious and marvellous, and Jasper sensed that Catherine was safe to go alone. He kissed the back of both of her hands and watched as she fled. Once she was gone, he felt that familiar tinge of loss after her departure. Still, there were various tasks at hand and Jasper made haste to the inn, where he ventured to his room and sat at his desk, quill pen in hand.
Dearest Mother,
To tell you the news that I have learned today brings me great joy. Trust that I know you have suffered as much as I have during this time, but that is all behind us now. My condition is rare but not fatal. I am now to live a full life with my future wife, and I hope that you are put at ease knowing that your son wishes to present you with many grandchildren.
We shall reunite soon,
Jasper
The overwhelming sense of satisfaction that this letter gave him could not be described. There was vindication in it too, for Jasper was tired of everyone being so concerned for him. Now, he was free to be himself again, free to do as he chose without the looming threat of his mother or Felton breathing down his neck. He would write a letter to Felton next, informing his best friend that he was a free man…and in love.