The Might of Evil Dreams (A Novel of the Elemental Chronicles)

Five - Education of a Lady

Thomas

The doctor's name was Granby. He was the one who had brought Francis and me into the world, had treated our rashes and fevers and broken limbs. But he had also watched over my mother after she contracted typhus when I was twelve. We were kept out of the room, and by the time she recovered, she had shed fifteen pounds.

Now I was watching him examine Emmeline. Initially she was afraid of him, catching hold of my wrist and curling herself into my chest. But I managed to coax her, and persuaded her that he was not going to hurt her. Only here to help, I said. He is a fine doctor. He will treat you well.

"The verdict?" I said when he finally straightened, putting away his instruments.

"You have done well, Thomas," he said, smiling at me. "You say she was suffering from severe dehydration and near-starvation when she arrived, but with much more rest, warmth, and some soft foods, she should be just fine. Which it appears you have already been doing. It seems her vitals are already rallying."

"Yes, Doctor." I glanced at Emmeline. She certainly appeared much better, having gained back some healthy weight already. Her arms, for instance, no longer looked on the verge of snapping in two like twigs. "But it is her mental state I am worried about. She has nightmares. The most I could glean was that she was abducted, deprived of many human comforts, and beaten severely during that time. What is there to be done about that?"

"I can prescribe laudanum," he said, taking out a small dark bottle. "Three drops of this before bed, and she will sleep much better. Nothing more than that, though."

I took it. "Are you certain this will work?"

"Its opiate properties result in a deep sleep. Normally dreamless. If you want her to continue to recover, this should help. But be careful...I have seen powerful addictions to the stuff before."

"Thank you, Doctor."

He snapped his case closed and grasped my elbow. "You're a good boy, Thomas, for doing this. You mustn't pay any attention to those rumours. Charles Ashbury enjoys spreading doubt and discord, just like his father, but others more sensible will see reason."

"That's not what Ray said."

He shook his head. "Oh, Raymond Kingsley is a very nervous boy. Always has been. But this will pass soon, Thomas, I assure you. It always does."

"Do you think it is right, Doctor, to marry her? Ashbury may be petty, but he is no imbecile." I did not know who else to ask. Ray would certainly not give me a straight answer, as dear to me as he was. And I did not trust anyone so much as Dr Granby.

"I believe that if you know in your heart that you want to ensure her safety, and make certain she is as well as she can be, you will do the right thing." His grey eyes were serious. "And if this means the protection and security of marriage, then so be it. You may yet find it in your favour."

"I understand," I said, although I wished someone would tell me directly. I did not love Emmeline, exactly, but I cared very deeply for her. I wished her to recover quickly, so that she would be able to begin her life again. It was clear she was frustrated that she could not do more.

"She is quite pretty, Thomas, but I warn you...her Fire-Elemental abilities are not dormant. And they are not buried very deep."

With that he picked up his case and went out. I glanced over at Emmeline, and her eyes flickered up to me. The past three nights had been difficult. She'd woken screaming and thrashing, so violently I feared she would injure herself. I tightened my hand around the laudanum bottle. I wanted to ease her pain. But I did not believe a drug was the solution.