How to Heal the Marquess by Sally Forbes
Chapter Thirteen
“Oh, Father, this is so lovely,” Daisy said as she helped herself to the eggs, she had prepared. “I cannot remember the last time we were able to enjoy breakfast together.”
The doctor nodded, eagerly putting forkfuls of the meal in his mouth. He wiped at his lips and smiled at his daughter.
“Nor can I,” he said. “And I am certainly regretful of that. I had forgotten how wonderful your breakfasts are.”
Daisy blushed at her father’s compliment. She made all their meals, but her father was rarely available to join her to eat them. Now, as she watched him eat so heartily, she began to relax about her fears for his well-being.
For him to have such a good appetite was a good sign, and even some of the signs of the fatigue she had been noticing lately were lessening as he ingested the nutritious food. She said a silent prayer of gratitude. Perhaps her father would recover from the horrible tiredness that plagued him so.
Her relief was very short-lived, however. When the meal had concluded, her father rose from his seat, smiling sheepishly at her.
“Forgive me, my dear,” he said. “But I must go to see a patient a few miles outside of London today. I am certain I shall be gone for the entire day.”
Daisy finished her last bite and stood as well, hurrying to collect their plates and take them to the kitchen.
“I shall go with you, Father,” she said, her worry returning. “I am sure you could use my assistance.”
The physician shook his head, glancing at Daisy. For a moment, she was sure she saw something like guilt on his face.
“No, darling daughter,” he said, taking the plates from her hands. “I shall need you to call in at Berbrook Manor and check in on the duke. I would like you to stay there for the day so that you can monitor the weakness in his chest.”
Daisy’s heart soared, her concern and suspicion dissolving at the news that her father was, at last, trusting her to see to a patient all by herself. She did not even concern herself with what the marquess might have to say when she arrived alone. She also made no mention of the thought to her father, lest he changes his mind. Instead, she reached toward the plates her father was now holding.
“Oh, Father, you shall not regret trusting me so,” she said. “Do not worry. I will tend to the breakfast dishes before I depart.”
The doctor shook his head gently, kissing his daughter on the cheek.
“Nonsense,” he said. “You cooked such an excellent meal. Allow me to see to the dishes while you make ready for Berbrook Manor.”
Daisy blinked, surprised, as it had always been her duty as the woman of the house to cook and clean. But she was too happy with her father’s trust to think too much about the oddity. Instead, she simply kissed her father in return, hugging him briefly.
“Thank you, Father,” she said as she bounded off toward her room.
Quickly, she tidied her hair and fetched every herb and potion she felt she might need while at Berbrook Manor. Truthfully, she doubted she would need any, apart from lavender, but she felt it was better to be overprepared than underprepared. Nothing would be more embarrassing for her than to have to leave Berbrook Manor to retrieve something she had carelessly decided she would not need. She would never be able to convince society she was a competent medical professional if she could not even properly prepare to care for a patient, after all.
When she was satisfied she had everything she needed, she hurried back down the stairs. Her father was already gone, no doubt having hired a hackney so that she could take their only carriage to call in on the duke.
She smiled softly to herself at her father’s thoughtfulness as she climbed aboard the coach and instructed the driver to take her to Berbrook Manor. And as the carriage traveled, she could not help celebrating with herself about the trust her father was placing in her. Perhaps this was his way of testing to see if she truly was ready to take over his practice? In any case, she was determined not to let him down.
A short while later, Daisy arrived at Berbrook Manor. The butler, having expected her arrival, met her at the open front door. He glanced around quizzically, no doubt wondering at the absence of the doctor himself. But he merely smiled warmly, gesturing for her to step inside the manor.
“Lord Berbrook is expecting you, Miss Gibson,” he said.
Daisy smiled sweetly at him.
“Thank you,” she said. “I can show myself up, if you like, so you do not have to.”
The butler bowed and nodded.
“Very good, Miss Gibson,” he said. “I shall return to my duties.”
Daisy smiled once more, then headed up the stairs.
As she walked, she thought once more about her father’s current condition. She felt sure that was at least part of why he had entrusted the duke’s care to her for the entire day.
And she was pretty glad for it. But he would still be spending the day with a patient elsewhere, and she had hoped that, if he turned over a patient’s care to her, it would be because he had chosen to take some time off from his work.
That thought put a damper on her earlier happy mood, as she could not help worrying about her father. She decided, if the day went well with the duke, that she would use it as proof she was perfectly capable of taking over his practice and bring up the subject to him that evening at dinner.
Even though she was so deep in thought, she knew her way around Berbrook Manor well enough to navigate her way through the hallways. This is why she was so startled when she turned around a corner and bumped hard into something solid. She gasped, covering her mouth just in time to keep from emitting a small shriek.
“Oh,” she finally gasped. But when she looked up to inspect the object she had collided with, her fright turned to mortification. Towering over her was the perplexed, bewildered, and terribly handsome Lord Penwell.
“Pardon me,” he said, staring at her intensely. “I did not hear your footsteps.”
Daisy flushed deep crimson as she realized their bodies were still nearly touching. Her pulse began to race, and her head began to swim, and she had to force herself to take a step back. She was at eye level with the marquess’s masculine torso, and she found herself struggling to look away.
The look in his eyes was unreadable, which made her all the more nervous. But she forced herself to find her composure before she said or did anything to embarrass herself further. Trying not to curse herself, she gave the marquess a deep, formal curtsey.
“Do forgive me, my lord,” she said, pleased her voice was steadier than her nerves. “I was terribly careless and not watching where I was going. I was focused on the day ahead, it seems, and I sincerely apologize. I shall be much more careful in the future.”
She winced, aware as she finished speaking that she had been rambling. But to her surprise, the marquess gave her a kind, almost sweet smile.
“It is quite all right, Miss Gibson,” he said. “Perhaps I, too, could have been a bit more careful.”
Daisy felt fresh heat creep into her cheeks, and she could not help smiling back.
“Thank you for your kindness and understanding, Lord Penwell,” she said. “I shall see to the duke now if it pleases you.”
She waited for the marquess to dismiss her, her heart pounding so hard in her chest, she could almost feel her ribs rattle. However, the marquess did not bid her a good day and leave her presence. Rather, he glanced around as though looking to see if anyone else was nearby. She tensed, suddenly worried that he was not feeling as forgiving as he had let on, after all.
“Before you go, may I ask a favor of you?” he asked.
Daisy stared at him for a moment, stunned. Then, realizing she was standing there with her mouth agape like an idiot, she quickly smiled and nodded.
“Of course, your lordship,” she said. “What can I do for you?”
The marquess’s smile was warm but sad, and Daisy realized how much the duke’s dire health must be weighing on him.
“I am very concerned for my grandfather,” he said, confirming Daisy’s suspicion. “I know he is very ill, and it is worrisome to me, to say the least.” He paused, taking a shaky breath that made Daisy want to reach out and touch his arm gently. But she refrained as he began to speak again. “But unfortunately, I must oversee some errands today. And more so, I will almost certainly be away for the entire day. This is most sudden, and I apologize for any inconvenience it might cause.”
Daisy could not help feeling a small wave of giddiness. She knew how little the marquess approved of her, as a woman, caring for his grandfather. For him to entrust the duke to her without being present meant that something in him felt she was at least marginally capable.
Furthermore, for him to show her such vulnerability meant he was beginning to trust her. That was far more progress than she could have dreamed possible for her very first day tending to the duke on her own. The smile that came to her face was one of the biggest she had ever dared smile in Berbrook Manor, at least in front of the marquess.
“Of course, my lord,” she said, curtseying. “It is no trouble at all. I am sure I will be able to handle things until your return.”
Lord Penwell studied her for a moment; his expression was softer than she could ever recall it being before as he looked at her. He even gave her another small smile as he nodded.
“Very good,” he said, and for the first time, she noticed how smooth and sultry his voice truly was. “And I believe you will do your best. Just promise me that you will send word to me immediately should my grandfather take a sudden turn for the worse. The butler is aware of my whereabouts for the day, and he will be able to reach me at once so that you will not have to leave my grandfather before I return.”
Daisy listened, getting lost in his eyes and voice as he spoke. Whereas he had seemed incredibly handsome to her before, she now found herself utterly smitten with him.
She could feel her smile growing and her cheeks reddening as he continued to look at her with his intense cinnamon-colored eyes. When she realized he had finished speaking, she nodded, trying vainly to shake the dreamy fog from her mind.
“I give you my word, Lord Penwell,” she said. “I will send word to you the instant there is any change in his condition. And I will send for my father, as well, once a word has been sent to you if that eases your mind further.”
The marquess’s face was both relieved and bemused. She felt herself blushing more deeply, and she had to look away to catch her breath. What was it about his change in demeanor that was affecting her in such a way?
“Very good,” he said again, bowing to her. “Then, if you will excuse me, I must be off. Have a wonderful day, Miss Gibson.”
She curtseyed politely out of habit, but her heart was racing. As she bade the marquess goodbye, her mind suddenly filled with hundreds of thoughts.
What did it mean that he was suddenly so kind to her and so trusting, too? Was she the only one who had felt an attraction between them just then?
Cursing herself for getting so distracted, she shook her head firmly. Then, with a huge effort, she pushed aside all thoughts of the marquess and continued toward the duke’s room.
