A Dove's Tale

Chapter 80

"You look awful."

The matter-of-fact words, delivered with a teasing smirk and mischievous green eyes, triggered an involuntary squeal of delight from me. Theresa was waiting in my room. The doctor, who was carrying me out of the bathroom, winced at the high-pitched sound in his ear.

"Sorry," I apologized quickly. "Theresa!" I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice in an octave that wouldn't pierce the doctor's eardrum.

"I've changed your sheets, milady," she said, dipping into a dramatic curtsy. "Will there be anything else before I go?"

"Don't you dare leave," I threatened her as the doctor laid me down on the bed.

She laughed. "Me? Leave? There are too many good-looking men here that I haven't dated yet. Sorry, Ivetta, but you're stuck with me until you go back to the palace. And maybe I'll go back with you. We'll see," she said, winking.

The doctor cleared his throat. I suddenly realized he was going to tell her the rules, tell her she could only be in here for fifteen minutes, and it wasn't nearly enough time.

"Since she's my maid, the rules are different for her, right?" I pleaded. "It's her job to be in here. She won't be any trouble. Please?"

Theresa snorted and covered her mouth. The doctor's mustache was twitching.

"I was just going to ask that you keep the discussion about men to a minimum when I'm in the room," the doctor said.

"Then leave," Theresa blurted out.

He fixed her with a stern look. "After I have attended to my patient."

"Well, how much more do you have to do? She already ate supper, you had her in the bathroom forever, and it looks to me like you're just tucking her in," Theresa retorted.

"Young lady-"

"Just a few more minutes," I intervened. "Maybe you could tidy up in the bathroom?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "Fine. But don't take too long. It's getting dark outside."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

She turned back to me with a sly grin, and it clicked.

"Prince Clavis told you about the surprise?"

"Maybe," she teased, spinning away and disappearing into the bathroom without further explanation. I stared after her, letting out a frustrated sigh. The doctor's chuckle drew my attention back to him. He really was just tucking me in, busily arranging my blankets with his head ducked down so his bushy eyebrows hid his expression from me.

"You know, too?" I guessed.

He straightened up and smiled down at me, his gray eyes twinkling. "I'll be back later. Enjoy the show."

I watched him leave, wondering what the surprise could be, and then Theresa poked her head out of the bathroom.

"Oh, good, he's gone."

Her grin as she came to my side reminded me of a cat who'd caught a mouse. If I could have squirmed, I would have. This would be embarrassing.

"So, if we're going to talk about men, we have to start with yours," she said, sitting on the bed next to me.

I knew it.

"Isn't Prince Clavis' surprise happening soon?" I tried, knowing that wouldn't be enough to deter her.

"It's not dark enough yet," she said dismissively, waving that question aside. "This is a nice, big room with a nice, big bed. Plenty of room for two people," she said suggestively.