Page 70 of The Duelist for the Ton
“Yes, yes,” the doctor said, with a chuckle. “It’s not the done thing for a man to reveal his heart too often, lest he risk it coming to harm. But ye’re a courageous enough lad to know that some risks are worth taking if the reward is yer heart’s desire.”
Most gentlemen would ridicule such words, for they often spoke them with a desire to flatter and cajole. But Dr. McIver had one quality that set him apart from most of Stephen’s acquaintance—he was no gentleman. He had no time in his occupation for the insincerity of thoughtless praise or pretty stories to elicit false hope.
Stephen glanced again toward Lady Portia, who was chatting with Earl and Countess Thorpe. As soon as his gaze fell on her, she stiffened, as if they were connected by an invisible thread, and glanced over her shoulder.
Yes—some risks were worth taking, especially if his heart’s desire was before him.
Chapter Fifteen
Luncheon concluded, andtheir hostess made preparations for the afternoon’s archery final, issuing instructions to the servants to distribute the targets about the grounds. As Portia took up her bow and quiver, Dr. McIver and his wife approached.
“Talented lass ye are, I’ll say,” he said, nodding to the bow in her hand. “I was just saying to Mrs. McIver, wasn’t I, my love?”
“Aye, ye did, my darling.”
“How can you speak of the talent of others when you possess qualities that we can only dream of?” Portia said.
He let out a laugh. “I was privileged enough to have the opportunity to study under the most excellent tutors, Lady Portia, by fortune of my birth and sex.”
“I’ll grant that a fine education is almost the exclusive province of men whose families can afford it,” she said, “but consider what you’ve done with your education, Dr. McIver—used your education for the good of the world.” She gestured about the party. “Compare yourself to the rest of the gentlemen. My brother, for example, who had the benefit of an Oxford education, yet I saw no improvement in the quality of his mind after he returned compared to before. He’s supposed to have read mathematics, yet our steward manages the estate’s ledgers.”
“As do most stewards of great estates, Lady Portia. Yer brother is a gentlemen, after all—and not just any gentleman. Hehas one of the most exalted titles in the kingdom. Some men are not suited to a life of academia, or a life of business.”
“But the value he brings to the world is nothing compared to you, Dr. McIver. Consider the benefits that have arisen from your research on injuries—not only to the body, but the effect that traumatic events can have on the mind. In fact—”
She broke off as she caught sight of Colonel Reid approaching.
“It’s an area of research that has long been neglected,” Dr. McIver continued, “though Dr. Lucas would disagree with me.”
“Dr. Lucas is a charlatan,” Portia said. “Even Miss Lucas knows it, though she dares not criticize her father openly. Have you seen her lately?”
“She was at the hospital last week and assisted me in a rather tricky procedure—a young maid whose foot got trapped in the coal cellar. The poor lass, I’ll wager her screams could be heard all the way to Aberdeen. Her master dismissed her on the spot, and Dr. Lucas refused to treat her.”
“Because, presumably, there was no fee in it,” Colonel Reid said, shaking his head. “I wonder at the injustices in the world. What happened to the girl?”
“I treated her myself, of course. I had to remove her foot, poor child. I thank the Almighty that Miss Lucas was there to assist. I’m afraid my nurse fainted when she caught sight of the injury.”
“Captain Broom always speaks highly of Miss Lucas,” Colonel Reid said. “That is, when he’s not extolling Lady Portia’s virtues.”
“But Euphramia Lucas has a talent for medicine that I lack,” Portia said.
“A pity, then, that she’s been denied the education her father enjoyed. She’d make a capable doctor.”
“Aye, she would,” Dr. McIver said. “I teach her what I can, but, of course, I’d need her father’s permission to take her as my apprentice. But I have embarked on a small venture that I believe not even Dr. Lucas would prevent her from assisting with.”
“Which is?”
“A convalescent institution, where patients can recover until they are well enough to return home.”
“Can they not remain in hospital?” Colonel Reid asked.
“There are too many acute cases needing treatment, and the hospital lacks capacity.”
“Then they should be sent home.”
“Not all patients are as fortunate as Captain Broom, with a loving sweetheart ready to care for him. Take young Tilly, the maid I treated. She must learn to walk again before she can seek employment elsewhere. Her master won’t take her back, and she has no family.”
“Poor girl,” Portia said. “Perhaps I could take her in.”
