Secrets.

Chapter One.

4th of August, 1708.

The street were quite busy, almost as busy as the inside of St. Louis's Infirmary. A missionary hospital built about a decade ago because of the issue of cholera epidemic which took the lives of many. The infirmary was a two-storey building which was very big, big enough to accommodate the health needs of the town. This; had it successfully accomplished for the past few years.

St. Louis's Infirmary was really the only properly set up hospital which had just two handfuls of qualified doctors, however there were several nurses and aid-maids and presently, these aid-maids and nurses were hurryingly walking up and down, trying to attend to everyone in need but it seemed like more help was needed.

That was on one side of the infirmary- upstairs. However on the ground floor where Duraina was busy attending to patients with physical dysfunction, was another part of the infirmary. While on another part of the ground floor was another ward where mothers, children and pregnant women were attended to.

"Oh dear, I apologize, are you quite all right?" Duraina exclaimed as a little girl bumped into her and landed on the floor. She had not been paying attention, she was looking at the results of a patient.

"I am, M'lady. But I can not find my Mamma." The little girl answered, trying to stand. Duraina quickly helped the girl up, crosschecking that she sustained no injuries.

"And how would you describe your Mamma dear one?" Duraina crouched so she could easily talk to the girl. The little girl had her hands clasped in her front like a proper lady, as she looked up at Duraina with a confused look on.

"Well, M'lady, I would say she's heavily pregnant with the dark short hair and the prettiest brown eyes." The younger girl not more than 7 years said. Then it occurred to Duraina that it must be the young maiden in labour brought in a few hours ago.

"Come now, I believe I can help you find your Mamma." After helping the little girl to the ward where her mother was waiting to deliver, she asked one nurse maids to look after the little girl who's name she never got.

Duraina rushed back to her ward and continued attending to her patients, as a physiotherapist, she mainly dealt with old people or just some farmers or others who fell and sustained physical injuries, affecting the physical functions. Being a female doctor was unheard of, she had had to struggle to even reach where she was and she had worked hardly for it. So she knows she deserves it.

She was very skilled at therapy and she was always busy because patients always requested for her. She was the only female doctor around there in their town and she was even better than most males.

"Miss Howells, a minute please." Father Eastoft called for her attention and nodded towards his office. Father Eastoft was the managerial head of the missionary hospital.

"Yes sir." She said frowning, she had a lot to do and no time to waste. She smiled at the old woman she was attending to, excusing herself.

The old Mrs Edmonton smiled and said, "Take your time, I can wait, dear." Giving her a toothy smile which Duraina returned.

She cleaned her hands and walked towards Father Eastoft's office and knocked. A voice called in for her to enter.

"You called Father?" Duraina did a curtsy as she approached the chairs. She noticed that Lord Charles Hastings, second son of The Earl of Bradshaw, seated. An excellent physiotherapist just like herself. He was a very humble man who took up this missionary job that barely paid what was fit for a Lord but he was happy working at the infirmary, helping people for a few years now.