The Adopted Debutante

Calling on the Doctor

Dr. Newson had just put away a bottle of spirits. The highest shelf in the cupboard, tucked away behind the linen bandages, was the safest place for such medicine. While not all of the doctor's patients were of the working class, a few of those who were enjoyed a taste or two. Dr. Newson was not going to take chances that they would help themselves.

He was a younger man, as doctors go, and more heavy-set than not. His dark hair tucked his spectacles behind his ears, and his eyes were so magnified by the lenses, that some called him "Dr. Owl" in jest. He was of a much more practical bend than his notorious sister, Mrs. Anandale. His patients knew that their privacy would be respected by him, even if it wasn't by other members of his family.

As Newson closed the door of the cupboard, he heard a light tapping at the door.

"Come in, Edward," he called.

"However did you know?" said the newcomer, entering.

Dr. Newson smiled as he turned around.

"You're the only patient I have who knocks so softly."

"And you're the only man I know who addresses me by my first name," Faulke smiled in return as he shut the door. "Have you a moment?"

"Pharmaceutical?" the doctor asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Emotional," Faulke answered carelessly.

"No," Newson replied. "I tend to the body; if you want someone to sob to, Charlotte is begging for a new tale to spin."

"Oh, you're a hard man, doctor." Faulke sighed in feigned sorrow. "Though you should be glad; I'd likely have a broken neck for you to set if Flintworth hadn't been present."

"And you'd be the only one to blame, Edward." Newson said, as he wiped his spectacles on a bandage. "You provoke him, and not always unintentionally."

"Oh, he enjoys provocation," Faulke insisted. "Not that it matters how he behaves. He wasn't even required to earn his fortune. There are others with sharper minds who get not even half of what he has. "

"He keeps his nose out of the mire, though he likes to sniff it." Newson answered with a shrug. "I'd advise you to keep your nose clean, too, Edward."

"What do you mean?" Faulke asked.

"You've got a woman on your mind." Newson said significantly. As Faulke shifted ever so slightly, the doctor smiled. "I can tell. Some lovely innocent's got you under her charm, and that's saying a lot for the wizard you are."

"I'm not sure I'd call Gerda Pemberly an 'innocent,' " Faulke said. "She's lovely but not innocent." He chuckled. "However, I think Jeremy would say I judge her too harshly."

"Jeremy?" Newson was confused. Faulke smiled knowingly. "Not Mister Jeremy Delend?"

"Who else?"

"Have respect when you say his name," the doctor scolded, "His family is the oldest and most respected in the borough."

"And his mother is a patron of yours, yes?"

"Besides," Newson continued, "Mister Delend is in love with Miss Trellis. They're betrothed, aren't they?"

"Oh, I'm not saying there's anything amiss." Faulke replied casually, which increased the doctor's interest. "A man is entitled to love whom he chooses, isn't he?"

"Not in Lord Delend's mind." The doctor answered. 

Faulke looked away thoughtfully.

"He's not a man to be trifled with," Newson commented, "It's a wonder how a man so strict could have such a kind son. If my sister is to be believed, the kindness comes from Lady Delend. 'Lord Delend is of sound principle and strong convictions,' she told me. Which is a nice way of saying he acts more like a master than a father to his son." Newson shrugged.

"How well do I know the feeling..." Faulke muttered, gazing out the window. He continued in this thoughtful state, until he noticed that the doctor was looking at him curiously. "It's a not a story worth repeating."

"Edward, there is something on your mind." Newson said. "You've done nothing but speak in enigmas since you walked through that door."

Faulke was about to protest that he usually spoke in enigmas when the doctor interrupted.

"And what's all this talk about Ms. Pemberly? I thought she only came here last autumn to visit her aunt, and in January returned to her home in New York."

"In New York City, actually." Faulke corrected. "But she loved it here so much, she just had to come back—and she'll be arriving on the next train, so I really should be going."

"What! Arriving here?" Newson asked, surprised.

"Of course. Her aunt lives in town, but is too tired to make the journey to the station, so Jeremy asked me to escort Ms. Pemberly to dear Aunt Maybel's."

"Jeremy asked you?!" The doctor was shocked.

"Well, he's got a tender heart and his mother is into charities, you know."

"I don't believe it."

Faulke shrugged, "Suit yourself." 

"Edward, why would Jeremy Delend personally—?"

"Oh, come now, doctor, I really haven't a moment to chat." Faulke said, hurrying to the door and hiding a smile. "I must be off."

"But I thought you said—" Newson began, but the door swung shut on the rest of his sentence, and Faulke departed, laughing and in much higher spirits than when he first came.