Sharon Sobel by Lady Larkspur Declines (v5.0) (epub) Page B

the grace to look surprised, though he had managed to get the very response he desired.
    “I will not be bled!” Lady Larkspur hissed at him. “I remember what the butchers who called themselves physicians did to my grandmother, and I will not be so violated! You call yourself a doctor, sir, but if you do what you propose, your services would be better employed at the charnel house!”
    “Lark! Dear girl, you are returned to us!” Lady Leicester cried from her chair, and rushed to the bed. “Mr. Queensman, we are forever indebted to you for the restoration of our daughter, for she seems entirely back in spirit. Whatever did you do to enact a cure so quickly?”
    I threatened her with real physical pain, Ben thought ruefully, knowing how unworthy it was of him to have done it. Instead, he said nothing, merely watching his artful patient being gathered into her mother’s arms. Over Lady Leicester’s soft shoulder, Lady Larkspur scowled at him.
    “It is an experimental treatment, rarely used, madam. It jolts the patient into an excited state and rids her body of ill humors.”
    “Dare we hope its effects are permanent? Is my daughter’s progress assured? I am eager to give the family the good news, sir. Her father will be forever grateful.”
    As the lady spoke, her recalcitrant daughter started to slip from her arms like sand through a sieve. Her eyes closed, and she made little gasping noises, as if she were deprived of air to breathe. Lady Leicester set her down gently on the pillows and turned to Ben, her expression distraught.
    If the damned girl does not die of her own willfulness, someone ought to hasten her progress, he thought angrily. To subject her caring family to such torture seemed unforgivable.
    “What has happened, sir? We cannot lose her, for we love her so.” Lady Leicester lifted a paint-stained hand to her forehead. “What shall we tell Lord Raeborn?”
    On the other hand, to force a young girl to marry an aged man who cared for her only as an investment for the future was unforgivable in its own way.
    “My lady,” he began slowly, “we must tell Lord Raeborn and your family that she is not yet recovered.”
    From the pillow, the bright eyes flickered.
    But Lady Leicester demanded his attention. “Is there any hope for it? What must we do? Please understand, Mr. Queensman, our family will spare no expense for her recovery. And your generous cousin made a similar offer, though there is no reason. We are quite able to manage, of course.”
    “I am sure Raeborn did not doubt your ability but only meant to ensure your willingness. Perhaps he also intended to confirm his own interests in the case, which he tells me are considerable,” Ben said diplomatically. Indeed, if Raeborn made such an offer, it appeared his interests were greater than even Ben imagined. The old man had never been known for his open hand.
    “Of course. He assures us he has admired Larkspur from afar for many years and is prepared to treat her kindly.” The good mother’s voice faltered over the last few words.
    “I am sure of it. And yet …” Ben hesitated, wondering how to phrase his question without sounding like a medieval herbalist. “Is there any talk of love?”
    “Love?” Lady Leicester was justifiably amused. “Why, Mr. Queensman, you are more of a romantic than I would credit you! How can there be such a thing, when Lark and Raeborn have scarcely met? And remember, she only recently gave her heart to another.”
    “That is precisely the problem. My lady, your daughter is lovesick, for she has been dealt a blow to her heart by one who disappointed her most severely. Raeborn’s current declaration eases nothing, but may only add to her burden.”
    “I see,” Lady Leicester said, though clearly she did not. “Do you propose we marry them hastily, so she may come to love your cousin? Would that do?”
    Ben was not prepared for the lady’s decisiveness.
    “I believe such matters take some time.”
    The