Page 58 of Enticed By an Earl
“I do not suppose the truth can be kept from people for much longer,” Kit said, sagging as she sat. “I thank you all so much, my true friends, for supporting me thus far, but now is the time to protect yourselves rather than doing yourselves harm by shielding me.”
“Whatever are you talking about, Miss Dryden?” Wilkes said with an unusually wide smile.
Kit was deeply confused. She grasped for Dev’s hand as Dev came to stand beside her chair, but she no longer knew what to say in the situation.
“Who are you?” Dev asked the physician. “Are you truly a man of medicine?”
The question only furthered Kit’s suspicion that all was not as it seemed.
“I am,” the physician said, dashing those hopes. “Dr. Levi Pettigrew, at your service. I have offices on Harley Street and am also a member of the medical staff at London Hospital. My reputation is well known and unquestionable.”
Kit felt faint and slumped back in her chair, but Dr. Pettigrew went on.
“I am also a member of The Brotherhood,” he said.
The faint feeling changed to a sense that Kit was swimming in a swirling fog.
“The Brotherhood,” Dev repeated, glancing to Wilkes. “You mentioned the organization to me earlier.”
“I did,” Wilkes said, eyes dancing with mischief. “Begging your pardon, my lord, but I have been keeping our members apprised of the situation with you and Miss Dryden for weeks now. I have not yet had the chance to approach you about membership, and perhaps now is not the time to discuss those details, but I can assure you that you have a great many more allies in this matter than you are aware of.”
“What is The Brotherhood?” Lady Everly asked, glancing between the men in the room.
“It is a secret organization of men who love other men, my lady,” Dr. Pettigrew explained with a deferential nod to her. “It was established two years ago as part of the bequest of the late Lord George Wilmore. Already, its membership is large and varied.”
“We are dedicated to looking after each other and helping our members and those to whom we are sympathetic avoid persecution,” Wilkes continued. “Which is precisely why so many of us are here today.”
“Members of The Brotherhood are in the congregation?” Dev asked.
“Quite a few of them,” Wilkes said with a proud smile. “Not only to lend our assistance, but because your marriage today represents hope that we all might someday find that sort of acceptance and togetherness.”
Dr. Pettigrew laughed. “Yes, well, not all of us wantthatkind of acceptance. I’m rather fond of being an iconoclast myself.”
Kit’s head was still spinning. The entire situation had taken a turn for the surreal. “I do not understand,” he said. “This Brotherhood organization you speak of is here to…help us?”
“We are indeed,” Wilkes said. “As soon as we return to the vicar and the congregation with Dr. Pettigrew’s word that you are, in fact, a woman, your marriage ceremony will proceed and the two of you will be able to live together as you please forever.”
Kit could hardly believe her ears. Without even knowing there were people who cared about her and Dev, this organization of The Brotherhood had orchestrated a way for them to marry. They had created a way for her not only to be accepted by society, but for her to accept herself unconditionally. She wondered if the gentleman who had suggested a physician’s examination was a member as well. Whatever the case, knowing she had the support of so many brave people to help her be who she was destined to be changed everything.
Most of all, it changed her confidence in herself.
“Is that…is that all?” Kitty asked Dr. Pettigrew. “You would lie for us?” She glanced up to Dev.
“Is it a lie?” Dr. Pettigrew said, standing. “If there is one thing my medical studies have taught me it is that there are more variations of mankind than will fit into a book, be that the Bible or a medical text. I have seen plenty of personages who do not fit the skin they were born in. A great many cultures across the world revere and celebrate such persons. Who are we in England to deny someone what they know to be true about themselves simply because it passes our understanding?”
Kitty’s mouth dropped open in awe. Her entire life, she had been told she was wrong and evil. In the last few days, she had found acceptance in so many places. She would never take it for granted as long as she lived.
“I believe enough time has passed for an examination,” Dr. Pettigrew said when Kitty failed to find words to thankhim. “Let us return to the vicar.” He smiled and offered Kitty his hand.
Dev stepped in to help Kitty to her feet, but Kitty took the physician’s hand and shook it. She would never have the words to thank the man for the gift she’d just been given. Dr. Pettigrew and the rest of The Brotherhood had just given her her life. They had given her her identity.
Their return to the chancel was met with gasps and murmurs from the buzzing congregation. Everyone leaned forward in expectation, waiting to hear what the impartial doctor would say. Kitty kept her head lowered and assumed the most modest expression she could, even though her heart wanted to sing.
“I have completed my examination,” Dr. Pettigrew said. “It was witnessed by Mr. Wilkes and Lady Everly, whose reputations, I believe, are above reproach.”
“Yes, yes,” the vicar said impatiently. “And?”
“And I can say with absolute certainty that Miss Dryden is in every way that matters a woman.”
