Married For Magic

Chapter 6: Infirmary

Dahlia paced back and forth, taking long strides across the makeshift infirmary on the second floor of the estate. Elise was standing in a corner looking pale and wringing her hands. Dahlia tried to pay little attention to her, or the room, or Antonio and his soft groaning. She was singularly focused on awaiting the arrival of the doctor as she replayed the events in her mind.

When she had found Antonio, panic surged through her, but she swallowed it down and allowed her training to take over. Her medical skills were quite well rounded despite her parent's refusal to allow her to peruse anything beyond nursing. So, as she took his vitals, and arranged staff to gently carry him to the infirmary, she began to sift through all the potential ailments that could be afflicting her new husband. It was likely that he simply had a panic attack, his symptoms were in line with that, but when she'd touched his skin she felt an eerie coolness that couldn't possibly caused by a natural ailment. She recognized it from her time spent as an emergency responder; she'd felt many a magically inflicted wound with that same eerie coolness. She shook her head violently. No, that couldn't be, he'd promised her that his scar no longer caused him any pain. Unless of course, he was lying.

Dahlia halted her pace in the center of the room and turned to face Elise.

"Elise, would you care to explain to me why my husband would lie about his scar no longer ailing him?"

Dahlia's face was fixed in a stony expression that Elise had yet to see from the young duchess. It sent a chill down her spine, causing her to assume a fixed and proper posture.

"Yes, My Lady. Lord Bailey is rather secretive about the nature of his, well, affliction. I suspect he refrained from telling you so that you wouldn't be burdened by it."

Elise lowered her head for a moment, before raising it again to meet Dahlia's eyes.

"He's a good man, and a better master, My Lady. I assure you, though he may seem distant and at times rather removed, his intentions are always pure."

Dahlia gave her a curt nod.

"Thank you Elise, you're dismissed. I will wait for the doctor here. Please instruct the staff to steer clear of the infirmary until I advise otherwise. Have the kitchen prepare an ambrosia soup for the Lord Bailey, I will find myself something later."

Elise's eyes widened slightly.

"Forgive me My Lady, but you haven't eaten since the wedding, and I fear you might be weak on your feet. Please allow me to have the kitchen prepare you a lunch as well."

Dahlia waved a hand.

"If you insist, makes no difference. I doubt I could eat now."

Elise nodded and swiftly exited the room at once. As she made her way down to the kitchen, she noted that Dahlia had not bothered to correct her when she referred to her as My Lady. Elise raised an eyebrow to herself as she thought over the duchesses demeanor. Perhaps she had made an incorrect assumption about the new lady of the manor. She wasn't at all the timid or excitable, albeit bratty, woman she had met that morning. In fact, she was quite an imposing authority figure now. Elise shrugged, maybe that was exactly what the Lord Bailey needed, someone to take charge when he simply couldn't.

*****

After an agonizingly long hour, three studious knocks on the infirmary door jolted Dahlia out of her thoughts. There in the doorway stood a surprisingly young man with a briefcase and a stethoscope hung around his neck. He was tall with dark brown eyes, and carelessly tousled jet black hair. He was obviously muscular, since his button up seemed to tense and flex with his every move. He stepped in to the room and raised his hand in greeting.

"Good Afternoon, my name is Link Hadley. And you must be the new Lady Bailey. It's a pleasure to meet you my duchess. I just wish it were under better circumstances."

Dahlia made her way across the room to stand in front the young doctor. She curtsied briefly, before gesturing to Antonio, who was presently locked in a restless slumber, tossing and turning in the bed.

"Thank you for coming Sir Hadley, I know the journey isn't short and I hate to think I've pulled you away from family. Your presence is greatly appreciated."

Hadley waved a hand through the air as he approached Antonio's bedside.

"My Lady, there's no need for formality. You can simply call me Link or Doctor Hadley, whichever you prefer. And as for family, none to speak of, so please banish the thought that you've pulled me from any such thing."

Without another word, Doctor Hadley began to examine Antonio thoroughly. Dahlia sat on the opposite side of the bed, wringing her hands and studying the doctor's every move. After a few minutes, the doctor stood upright and cleared his throat.

"It is most certainly a magical fever. According to his medical records, his scar has grown about a quarter of inch. If I had to make an assessment, I would say the incident was a result of his scar growing. His vitals are stable, the scar appears to be stable now, and his discomfort can be eased with medication. He'll need ambrosia to curb the fever and regain consciousness, but until then there's little else I can assess."

Dahlia let out a deep sigh before rising to her feet. She scowled in the direction of the doctor.

"I've already had the kitchen prepare ambrosia soup. I suppose I was hoping the finest doctor available to nobility would have a better assessment as to why this is happening at all."

Doctor Hadley raised an eyebrow, not in offense, but rather curiosity.

"Are you medically trained per chance, Lady Bailey? I couldn't help but notice that Lord Bailey was skillfully cared for before I arrived, and his IV was placed impeccably."

Dahlia rolled her eyes.

"Flattery will get you nowhere Doctor Hadley. Yes, I am medically trained. I hardly use the skillet anymore. Save your praise for someone who deserves it."

Doctor Hadley bowed his head in submission, though he couldn't hide the subtle smirk on his face.

"Of course, My Lady. If you don't mind humoring me, I would like to stay on in one of the guest rooms until Lord Bailey is awake. I'm newly appointed as his personal physician and would like to assess him and study his scar over the course of his recovery."

Dahlia nodded weakly. She wasn't certain that she had the position or authority just yet to approve guests, let alone doctors, roaming the halls of the estate, but it seemed she had no choice.

"Right, of course. I'll have one of the maids arrange a room for you on this floor so you'll be nearby should you be needed. In the meantime, please see yourself downstairs in to the sitting area. Elise will be happy to serve you some tea, and perhaps a light lunch. I'll be down shortly."

Doctor Hadley nodded, and took his leave abruptly. Dahlia watched as he left, wondering why she found him so odd. He was young for a prolific doctor, and rather reserved, but he also oozed a strange amount of confidence and charisma. She hoped she had made the right call in allowing him to stay. Even if she hadn't, she doubted Antonio was in a position to argue about her decisions in his stead.

Dahlia leaned over the side of Antonio's bed, bringing her face close to his ear.

"I'm going to go get your ambrosia soup, and when you wake up, you had better have one hell of an explanation for why you lied to me and why you worried me and your staff so terribly."

She brushed a hand over his forehead, wiping his damp hair out of his face. Even with his eyebrows slightly furrowed, and beads of sweat dotting his face, he was stunning to look at. She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, and quietly made her way to the door.