How to Heal the Marquess by Sally Forbes
Chapter Twenty-two
The following day, Tobias rose early from a restless night of sleep. His mother had gently forbidden him from sitting up with the duke the night before, affectionately threatening to sit at his bedside to ensure he did not try. He had reluctantly agreed to go to his bed, but sleep had been insufficient, at best.
Still, as the first streaks of early morning light crept in through his window, he hurried down the long passageway leading to the duke’s bedchambers. He had not spent the night with his grandfather, but he had every intention of spending every minute of the day that he could stay with him.
He stopped as he reached the door to the duke’s bedchambers, bracing himself for what he might find inside. After seeing how much better his grandfather had seemed, it had been difficult to accept witnessing the duke’s struggle for his life the previous day.
Tobias knew he had to be strong if only to give his grandfather the strength to continue the treatments Daisy had been giving him and to find his way to being on the mend once more.
When the door opened before his hand even touched the handle, Tobias jumped back in surprise. He looked directly into the equally shocked face of the butler who, upon recognizing him, gave him a sheepish bow.
“Excuse me, milord,” he said. “I was too careless in stepping out into the hallway.”
Tobias shook his head gently.
“You could not have known I was standing here,” he said, gesturing toward the once more closed bedchamber door. “How is my grandfather?”
The butler sighed reluctantly.
“He had something of a difficult start to the night last night,” he said, “but he has been sleeping peacefully now for a few hours.”
Tobias nodded, releasing a sharp exhale. It was as he had expected, but he still felt grave concern and disappointment.
“Very good,” he said. “I shall let you return to your duties, but please, keep me informed of any changes in his condition until Miss Gibson arrives.”
The butler bowed again.
“As you wish,” he said before excusing himself.
Tobias stared at the door and sighed. He wanted to go and sit with his grandfather, if only until Daisy arrived. However, the butler had told him that the duke had only been sleeping for a few hours. And the last thing he needed was to be roused by Tobias’s presence or upset by his grandson’s repeated hovering. No, he decided at last. It would be better to let the duke rest simply. So, instead, he chose to head to his grandfather’s study and begin sorting through the invitations the duke had mentioned.
When he entered the large office, the pile of letters stood out immediately. He had hoped there would be very little for him to read, so he could instead spend some time collecting himself. But as he looked at the stack of envelopes, he knew instantly there was enough work there to keep him busy reading and replying for days.
His grandfather had clearly been very serious when he had told Tobias about the number of unanswered invitations to the Season’s events piled in his office. And although Tobias did not want to even consider replying to any of them in the current situation, he knew it was now more important than ever that he does so.
Heaving another sigh, Tobias sat at the desk and poured himself a drink. He took a moment to savor the liquor and the warm feeling it gave him as it slid down his throat and into his belly. Then, with great reluctance, he reached for the very first envelope and opened it. As he read the first lines of the invitation, he chuckled aloud.
Of course, it would happen to be to a soiree hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Alwater. It seemed that, much like his grandfather, the heavens kept trying to point him in the direction of Lady Selina.
At the bottom of the page, he noted that the event would be taking place later that very evening. Ordinarily, it would have been too late for him to consider going, as custom dictated that confirmation of attendance was made well in advance. However, in the event that the original intended recipient of the invitation should fall ill or otherwise be unable to attend, a member of their family could take their place without any advance notification being needed.
For a moment, he considered doing his best to make the letter seem unopened and shuffling it to the bottom of the pile. But then, he thought again about his promise to his grandfather. It would be easy enough to pretend he had never seen the invitation, and there might be little real harm in him doing so. But with the duke’s condition so uncertain, missing a single event could be the difference between Tobias finding a wife before his grandfather’s death and failing to keep his promise. And if the only thing Tobias could do for the duke was to keep that promise, so be it. He would do everything in his power to do just that.
Perhaps he had judged Lady Selina too harshly up to that point. Granted, she tended to be very conceited and shallow. But maybe, she would grow into the station of the duchess, and into the role of wife. Perhaps her interests would mature as she did if only Tobias would give her a chance.
“Milord?” the butler said from the door.
The abrupt interruption startled Tobias so much that he nearly fell onto the floor when he turned to face the doorway. He recovered himself in time to see Dr. Gibson standing beside the butler.
“Good day, Lord Penwell,” the physician said, concealing his amusement at Tobias’s near folly.
Tobias blushed, rising slowly and trying to pretend that nothing had happened.
“Good day, Dr. Gibson,” he said. “What brings you here so early?”
The physician removed his hat and tipped it to Tobias. As he did so, Tobias noticed two things. First, he saw that Daisy was not accompanying her father. And second, that some young man he had never seen before stood right behind the doctor. But before he could say anything, Dr. Gibson answered his unspoken question.
“I wish to examine Lord Berbrook if it pleases you,” he said. “Daisy informed me of the turn his condition took yesterday, and I would like to perform a thorough examination of him to assess his current progress.”
Tobias nodded absently, gazing at the man standing behind the doctor.
“I think that is a fine idea,” he said. “Would you both like to come in for a drink first?”
The physician shook his head, stepping aside and gesturing for the man to step forward.
“Forgive my manners,” he said, looking back to Tobias. “This is Dr. Fletcher, my new assistant. He will be aiding me in my examination of the duke’s chest. And a drink will not be necessary, though Henry and I thank you very much for your hospitality.”
Tobias nodded again, his curiosity giving way to shock. Dr. Fletcher was Dr. Gibson’s new assistant? What of Daisy? Had the physician decided Daisy was unqualified to look after the duke after what had happened the previous day?
The thought frightened Tobias for a reason he could not explain, and he resolved to ask the doctor about it before he and his strange new assistant left for the day. He told himself that it was only because he did not know this Dr. Fletcher. But something in his heart told a very different story.
Moments later, Tobias escorted Drs. Gibson and Fletcher up the stairs and to the duke’s bedchambers. Lord Berbrook was awake but pale and still very weak from the horrible afternoon the day before. Dr. Fletcher offered Tobias sincere but uncertain words of comfort as he and Dr. Gibson entered the bedchamber door and shut it behind them.
The dowager marchioness had joined the party just before the two physicians entered the duke’s room, and now she put her arm around her son’s waist.
“Who is that?” she asked, her brow furrowing. “And where is our Daisy?”
Tobias shook his head, looking at her with a frown.
“That is Dr. Gibson’s new assistant, apparently,” he said. “And, as for where Daisy is, I intend to ask the good doctor about that before he leaves here today.”
The marchioness looked at Tobias with surprise, no doubt hearing the intensity in his voice. She gave him a curious look and a smile, but she merely patted his back.
“I do hope she will not be leaving us so soon,” she said. “I should very much like to spend more time with her.”
So would I, Tobias added silently, but he said nothing. Instead, he waited wordlessly with his mother for the duke’s bedroom door to open once more.
Although, even though he remained quiet, he was stewing inside. He could not deny Daisy’s absence was affecting him. And, to his surprise, he did not wish to deny it. He felt strangely empty with her not there, and he was fine with admitting the fact to himself.
When the two doctors finally exited the room, the marchioness excused herself, kissing Tobias on the cheek before she made her way back down the stairs. Tobias turned to face the men, noting that their faces were far grimmer than he would have liked.
“Well?” he asked, suddenly feeling rather put off by Dr. Fletcher’s presence. “How is he?”
Dr. Gibson put a hand on Tobias’s shoulder, clearly mistaking his agitation for concern for his grandfather.
“There is only a slight improvement in his condition,” he said. “I do believe Daisy did all she could for him, but I am deeply concerned about the continued weakness in your grandfather’s chest.”
Tobias ran a hand through his hair.
“Daisy had performed exceptionally well,” he said, cutting a sharp glance at the new assistant. “She stabilized my grandfather all on her own, much to my delighted surprise. And that there is any improvement at all is all thanks to her.”
Dr. Fletcher seemed to catch the edge in Tobias’s words, and he looked down at the ground silently. Dr. Gibson, however, seemed to still think Tobias was merely upset about the duke’s illness.
“Daisy is one of the best medical professionals I have ever encountered,” he said. “And I say that as more than a proud, doting father. That is why I shall be sending her over later this afternoon to check on the duke. If that is, you have no objection to that arrangement.”
Tobias felt his irritation instantly dissipate. If the doctor was willing to send Daisy over to tend to the duke, as she had been for so long, then she was not in any trouble with her father. He clearly did not intend to replace her, at least not when it came to Lord Berbrook’s care. Tobias then felt guilty for directing so much hostility toward Dr. Fletcher without even knowing him, and he offered the younger doctor a sheepish smile.
“Of course, Doctor,” he said, bowing slightly. “That will be perfectly fine. We shall be looking forward to her visit.”
Dr. Gibson smiled widely, genuinely pleased to have done something to improve Tobias’s disposition. Dr. Fletcher looked relieved, and when he looked at Tobias, he seemed all but thrilled to see that the marquess’s eyes had softened toward him. Tobias felt another pang of guilt for having been so abrasive with the new doctor, so he smiled widely, putting a gentle, friendly hand on the young physician’s shoulder.
“Would the two of you like that drink now?” he asked. “My offer still stands.”
Dr. Gibson thought for a moment, glancing over at his new assistant. Then, he nodded.
“I believe a drink might do my young apprentice some good,” he said. “Thank you, my lord. We graciously accept.”
Tobias grinned, grateful for the chance to make up for his harsh behavior. He led the two doctors to his study, making lighthearted conversation with them as they enjoyed their drinks.
All the while, however, Tobias could not help looking forward to Daisy’s visit later that day. He was glad he did not now need to ask Dr. Gibson if she would be returning, and he was gladder still that he would get to see her beautiful face later. The reason why that was so important to him was irrelevant. He decided he would just be happy that she was coming.
