Lady Henrietta's Dilemma: Regency Suspense Romance Book 2 (Lords of Sussex) by Katy Walters

her, only to become aware of the curve of her breast. Forcing his hands to his sides, he kissed her on the cheek. ‘See – a young sister.’
    Esther looked down, ‘Please; I need time to reflect.’
    ‘Of course,’ he murmured. ‘Now to practical matters, let us have the good doctor in to give you an appraisal.’
    He withdrew with a small bow; Esther felt regret flood her body.  Never had she met such a more gentle man. Maybe that is where the word came from, a gentle man who treated women with the greatest respect?  How kind he seemed, how patient. She wondered about his wife, what happened to her? He did not talk of children, so perhaps she died in childbirth.  It was a common occurrence, even with the most skilled physician or experienced midwife, so many women died, leaving a grieving husband. 
    Hearing voices outside the door, she pulled the sheets up over her chest. Accompanied by a short balding man in a worsted frockcoat, the viscount came to her bedside. ‘Esther, this is Doctor Bastian. He attended you these last three days.
    Esther smiled. ‘Thank you doctor.’
    The man took her hand feeling for the pulses. ‘My pleasure. Now tell me how you feel?’
    ‘Much better thank you doctor, the viscount has been an angel, and I owe my recovery to him and your good self.  I feel well enough to return to my apartment,’ she lied, much to Lottie’s horror.
    ‘That is good to hear mamselle, but from your pulses, I wish to examine your stomach.  Would you give me leave to do so?’
    Surprised, Esther nodded, upon which the good doctor carefully slid his hand to her stomach without disturbing the sheets too much.  Keeping her covered, he gently probed and then smiled. ‘Now my little lady I would wish to speak with you alone.’ He turned to the viscount, bowed, and looked at Lottie, ‘If you would be so good as to leave us please? I wish to speak to Mademoiselle Taunton privately. ’

Chapter 10
     
    Frowning slightly, the viscount bowed, and guided Lottie through the door.
    Puzzled, Esther struggled back up in the bed, and watched as the doctor closed the door. Coming over to the bed, he said softly. ‘Mademoiselle I have news for you. Are you aware you are with child?’
    ‘With child?’ Horrified Esther’s hand flew to her stomach. So that was the reason for the nausea.
    The doctor did not question who the father was, or her circumstances, but continued with his examination. ‘I suspected so when I first attended you. From your pulses, you are still in need of bed rest my dear.’
    ‘But I can’t – I need to return to my apartment. I can rest there.’
    ‘As you wish my dear, but I will recall the viscount.’
    ‘Please – please doctor, do not tell him.  I – he – we are only friends.  He is not the father.’ Esther stuttered.  God in heaven what was she to do now?
    With a benign expression, the doctor nodded, and went to the door, summoning the viscount and Lottie. On entering, David looked quizzically at Esther, as she tried to smile, which she felt sure looked more like a grimace.
    The doctor went to the side of the bed and picked up her wrist; ‘ Her pulses are thready my lord; I have prescribed more bed rest, but I also think she should be bled to purify the blood, especially as…’ he paused, tightening his lips, ‘hmm, as she suffered such a febrile fever.’
    Esther winced. ‘Cutting?’
    ‘No mamselle – leeches. I do have some with me, as I expected it would be the case.’  He took out a large jar from his case and opening it, picked out a dark leech. ‘Yes, this is a prime specimen,’ he said, as it squirmed in his hand.
    ‘Oh no – no. I couldn’t, I'd die if those things were on me,’ Esther exclaimed, her face blanching.
    David glowered, ‘Doctor Bastion, I did tell you – no leeches.  Cannot abide the damn things meself.  People die from them. No – definitely not, go feed your little pets elsewhere.’
    Lottie uttered one of her little shrieks,