Page 101 of Enslaved
Bathed and shaved, immaculate in buff breeches and bottle-green waistcoat, Mark Hardwick greeted his friend, Charles Wentworth.
The doctor lifted an eyebrow of inquiry. “Did you encourage her to talk?”
“Yes, she’s talked at great length.”
“Without coercion, I trust?”
“Dammit, Charles, you talk as if I’m incapable of being gentle with a woman.”
“Mmm, well, I suppose there’s always a first time for everything. Has she changed her story?”
“No. She’s absolutely convinced she traveled back in time.”
As they ascended the carved Elizabethan staircase, Mark asked, “Do you ever get the impression that you’ve lived before, in another time?”
Charles examined his friend’s dark face to see if he was serious. He was. Charles laughed. “To tell you the truth, yes. When I graduated university and went on my grand tour, I visited Egypt. It was as familiar to me as London. More familiar. I experienced such strong déjà vu wherever I went, it couldn’t possibly have been the first time I was there.” He pulled a deprecating face. “Physician to the Pharaohs sounds like the rambling of a madman.”
Mark shrugged, “Sounds normal enough to me, old man. Now I’ll leave you to your patient.”
Charles entered Diana’s bedchamber saying, “Good morning, Lady Diana. You are looking much better; radiant in fact.”
“Thank you, Dr. Wentworth, I’m feeling quite rested. May I get up today?”
“Not so fast, young lady. I have a couple of questions first. Have you experienced any pain?”
Only in my heart.“No, none at all, Doctor.”
“Good. Have you experienced any faintness or dizziness?”
“No.”
The door swung open and Mark walked in. “Has she told you she experienced a terrifying nightmare last night?”
Charles’s eyes sought hers for confirmation.
“One so real she thought she’d gone back in time again,” Mark continued.
Diana glared daggers at him.
“That’s interesting,” Charles said. “Not altogether bad in my opinion.”
“Bad enough,” Mark said grimly.
“No, I meant instead of being repressed, it’s coming out both consciously and subconsciously.” He glanced at both of them. “Apparently you feel comfortable discussing this with Mark and I think that’s the best therapy.”
Diana bristled. “If you’ll keep your mouth shut, the doctor will let me get up today.”
Mark towered over her. “I don’t object to you getting up. I’ve seen you in bed so much, I’m beginning to believe you really were my mistress!”
Charles grinned. “By God, the two of you don’t need me to encourage you to communicate, unless it’s as referee.”
Diana blushed faintly. “I’m sorry, Dr. Wentworth, but Mark can be so impossibly arrogant.”
Charles’s eyes danced. “I take it you’ve known him for some time.”
Only seventeen hundred years.
“You may get dressed if you don’t overtax yourself, and if you promise to have a rest this afternoon. Same time tomorrow.”
