“I simply find it odd that a man who has shunned his responsibilities now finds them so very important. Enough so to keep his people from the proper care, all to protect a fraudulent physician. A man hardly skilled enough to be called an apothecary.” There was a starkness in her eyes that he wasn’t sure how to erase.
He groaned. One word from an angry Old John, and Barbara would swoop down with her greedy husband and take Louise. Maybe even the estate. He wouldn’t put it past his brother-in-law.
“Medicine is a serious pursuit. He has demonstrated a lack of respect for the practice.” She crossed her legs, placing her hands on her knees as though assuming a position of authority. Which he may have found amusing and slightly endearing if he was not so surprised by her complete revulsion toward Old John. “I have no problems running my diagnoses by you, but never think I shall stop serving those who need my skill and knowledge. I shan’t. And that is all there is to it.”
Strong words, but the tone was not combative. Rather, it was an acceptance of who she was, why she existed. Once again, an admirable trait that he wished he could emulate. He had never had purpose. Until now.
They would never be just earl and governess. They had learned too much about each other now. And he cared for her. Drawing a deep breath, he realized it was time to tell her the truth about Old John.
“Your strength of character and fortitude is admirable. Regardless of your actions today, I hold every confidence in your skills.” He paused. “There is something you should know. Old John has a friend who wrote and told him I’m suffering from epileptic attacks. They are blackmailing me.”
She gasped. “I do hope you are not giving in to them.”
“I had to, temporarily.”
She was shaking her head. “This will not do.”
“For Louise,” he said roughly. “If they tell Barbara or even spread rumors, then she will insist on taking Louise and perhaps even the estate. I have no doubt that she will have me institutionalized.”
“You ignored the estate and left Louise alone, so what does it matter if you lose these things?” Her voice was gentle, her logic impeccable.
“Do you want me to be locked away? And I am doing my best to rectify my past mistakes. I know that Louise wants me in her life. I just hope to be all that she needs.”
“I understand. What can I do to help?”
“Stop annoying Old John until I can figure out a way to solve this.” He cleared his throat. “My sister has invited me to a house party a fortnight from now. It will be in London. You will both go with me.”
“Excellent news, my lord.” She smiled kindly. “We shall have much to explore and learn while there.”
“Yes.” For the last week, since he’d hired his steward and since he’d realized how much Louise wanted him there, he’d hardly thought of the parties he was missing. There were a few widows he used to attend events with, but since his accident, he had not heard from them.
“I had planned to tell Old John that I will no longer bow to his blackmail demands. Now that he has been publicly attacked, I will need to do so sooner. If the villagers don’t run him out first.”
“When is the next payment?”
“I sent one today. I have some time to figure out how to stop them without ruining Louise’s future.”
Henrietta waved a hand. “Who cares what that twit says? No one with a modicum of sense would give him credence. Even the threat of an asylum is unlikely.”
“Do you think so?”
“There is a chance of institutionalization,” she amended, “but thankfully you know me. And I happen to know several powerful physicians. I will not let you be put away.”
His brow rose. “Strong words.”
“Well, I’m certainly not going to waste time uttering weak ones.” She grinned then. “While in London, I suppose you will be able to take up hobnobbing with your dandy friends.”
“Dandy friends?” An unexpected laugh erupted. “Have you seen how they dress?”
“You have a very white, elegant cravat,” she said defensively.
“My naive Miss Gordon, you know little of society and fashion.”
“And neither do I wish to,” she said pertly.
“Yet you must learn, if you are to prepare Louise for entrance.”
“Perhaps I do not wish to prepare her for a shallow lifestyle.”
“You believe me to be superficial?”
“That is not what I said.” Henrietta’s lips pursed.
Dominic’s back stiffened. Of course, it was how she saw him. He had never seen the need to live in a purposeful way. No longer did he wish to use his ailment as an excuse.
Still, her low opinion rankled. He felt as though he had become debased in her eyes.
Blood rushed through his head. Muscles tensing, he leaned closer, fixing his gaze upon her. “If that is how you feel, then perhaps this is not the right position for you after all.”
“Of course it’s not,” she quickly responded.
Stunned by her acquiescence, he tapped his fingers against the desk. “You disrespected me today.”
“Are we back to that again?”
He was annoyed, so yes. “I expected more from you.”
“I demand honesty and justice,” she choked out. “I shall not apologize for confronting that man.”
“Will you apologize for undermining me?” A bold question, but he found himself curious. He had not liked her dismissal of his station. Her lack of respect. An odd feeling, as he’d never cared in the past for others’ opinions. But hers counted.
She wet her lips, her tongue a pale pink slip of movement against lips a shade darker than her rose-tinted cheeks. “May I think about it?”
“Think about an apology?”
“Yes.” Her voice was thin, and suddenly Dominic saw the youth in her eyes. She was a woman thrust
