The whispers of the Archive

6: Consultation - Part 2

Charlotte glanced at Eva, silently instructing her to play along with their charade. Eva held back her groan and acted like the maid Charlotte wanted her to play. Eva drew out the chair, allowing her 'mistress' to take a seat at the table.

Dr. Merwood settled opposite them at the slender table, his gaze inevitably drawn to Charlotte.

"Madam, how should I refer to you?" As much as Dr Merwood tried, he couldn't help himself from staring intently at her. Forcing himself to retain his professional demeanour he asked, "And what might be troubling you?"

"I am Miss Charlotte Hartley." She smiled politely then threw a swift glance at Eva, who stifled an eye roll at her sister's devotion to the  'wealthy young lady' act. Apparently it was up to her to inform the doctor of the specifics of Charlotte's ailments, another annoying custom.  

Eva noticed the stiff smile Dr. Merwood was suppressing when he heard that Charlotte was a Miss and not Mrs.

"My Lady has been ill for three months. She coughs from her chest, sometimes throughout the night and barely gets any sleep because of it. Her throat is often sore too. She also complains of body ache at least once a week," Eva recounted the symptoms of her sister's illness, and consequently reminded herself why she always let Charlotte have her way.

He said, "What you're describing is akin to a common cold, however, that should last no more than ten days. Miss Charlotte, may I begin the examination?" Dr Merwood gestured for Charlotte to give her hand.

Unlike in Katherine's world where doctors used a lot of knives, medicines and machines in there work, which Eva thought looked very scary. In this world the practice of healing was closely linked to nature and magic.

Medicines consisted of herbs, plants and regimens. Doctors were professionals who studied how to read the complicated mesh of magic filled veins, Auric channels, that flowed within the body. As well as the essence apertures around the body which were small naturally occurring pockets of magic. Based on their expert observations they would prescribe medicines and regimens. In terms of emergency care such as broken limbs or bleeding wounds, only specialist doctors with practical healing magic could treat those.

Charlotte rested her arm on the armrest on the table. Eva unbuttoned her sister's white sleeve and rolled it above her elbow. Her expression darkened when she caught the floral fragrance on Charlotte's skin - she must have bought perfume too. 

Mr. Merwood lowered his head to conceal the blush creeping across his face, little did he know that the tops of his ears were flushed. He placed his middle finger across the veins on Charlotte's wrist. Silently measuring her pulse and examining the auric channels. If there was a problem somewhere in her body, the channels in her wrist would let him know.

While Dr Merwood focused on his patient, Charlotte's eyes scanned over the doctor. In the past, when she was the oldest daughter of the wealthy Hartley family, and she possessed clothes far better than these, and kept real servants, a young doctor like this wouldn't have even been worth looking at. But now, he was her best bet.

Dr. Merwood finished his examination, and said. "Your Auric channels are compressed around your heart but are sparse in your airways, head, and limbs. Which has made your body weaker and more susceptible to reinfection."

Eva nodded slowly, thinking about how Charlotte had been panting on their walk up from the harbour.

"I will write the prescription for some nourishing tonic that you can brew at home and drink twice daily, However the most important part of your recovery will be a change in your environment." The boyish awkwardness he displayed earlier when he first saw Charlotte was gone. His serious and sincere diagnosis restored Eva's first impression of him.

As he prepared the prescription he detailed the types of exercise Charlotte should do, and what foods she should eat, none of which they could afford.

Dr. Merwood handed the small sack of medicinal herbs to Eva.

"Please take good care of Miss Charlotte." his eyes pleaded with Eva as if he was entrusting her with some great task.

Eva nodded her head subserviently, "Yes, Dr Merwood."

When Charlotte got up to leave, he hurriedly said, "That medicine should last for a week. Come back again after that for more herbs."

There was a subtle urgency in his eyes, as if he was grasping at the chance to confirm his next meeting with Charlotte.

"I'll see you then, Dr. Merwood." Charlotte's soft voice was like music to his ears.

Eva had long since lost interest in their interactions and was only thinking about how a follow up consultation would cost 15 shills... That was more than half her monthly wages from the pub. Moreover, that amount had to be collected within a week. She was tired just thinking about it.

As she and Charlotte closed the door behind them, Eva asked, "Was all this dressing up for the consultation, or the Doctor?"

Charlotte didn't give her a glance and simply swaggered down the street with a slight smirk on her pretty pink lips.