The Plague Doctor

Chiswick House

Chiswick House
15th July 1871

“You took your time.”
A familiar face smiled at me from the entrance of the beautiful manor house. Hand carved statues, marble columns and a oak door covered in intricate designs. I smiled back at Eleanor Grey, the handsome daughter of the lord himself. An only child by all accounts, but an achievement he wore like a badge of honour. He adored her.
I didn’t reply. I didn't know what I should and shouldn’t say to a lady of New London. I was still a doctor, a poor man in comparison. Yet she seemed different.
“He’s perfectly fine,” she added. “Just wants your opinion on some important matter.”
She ushered me through the grand door and across the entrance hall. There was a small study off to the left were I had found myself many times before when I had treated Lord Grey’s wife all those years ago. As she knocked her father called and Eleanor retreated to one of the many rooms in the manor.
I pushed the door open and entered the study, bowing to Lord Grey as he sat behind his desk, the fire place illuminating the wall behind, giving off an almost intimidating feeling.
“Master Hays,” he said with a grin, nodding to one of the two chairs opposite him.
I closed the door behind myself and took my place, my doctors bag placed carefully on my lap. I remained stony-faced, yet my heart was beating hard in my chest. I felt out of place. I liked being familiar with my surroundings.
“There’s no emergency,” he said. “You’ve gained my trust after all these years Master Hays. You’ve been very loyal, very helpful to this family.”
I could feel my mouth twitch out of a vague irritation. Loyalty wasn’t hard to come by when you were forced to live and work for those who had survived, in return you are protected within the walls of New London. I dread to think of what would happen if I turned my nose up at these people. If I refused to help. It wasn’t a coincidence that the higher class made up ninety percent of the cities population and people like myself and the police made up the remaining ten.
“Of course sir,” I say, the words made my skin crawl.
“I have also heard rumours that you are looking into a cure.” It wasn’t a question, of course he knew.
“Not a cure exactly,” I say. “I cannot cure the beasts beyond the walls, but I may be able to prevent the people of this city from contracting the illness itself.”
It was not like I cared for them. I had a growing fear in my heart. The beasts beyond the wall frightened me. A phobia I could not brave. I had seen what they became first hand and a their vile skin, those black eyes and the lingering stench of rot. It haunted me to this day.
“Interesting,” he said, a little more patronizing than he intended. “Are the Covenant aware of this?”
I felt my skin prickle. “I wouldn’t know sir. I haven’t spoken of my work freely, if that’s what you mean?”
“Good,” he replied. “I’d rather you keep it like that.”
“If you don’t mind me asking sir,” I say cautiously. “How...”
“Best you don’t know,” he said.
He fell silent, looking up at the small portrait that hung on the wall to his right. Lady Grey, as fair and beautiful as her daughter Eleanor. There was a brief flash sadness, but he turned to me once again. I was unsure if I should leave, or speak. I chose to remain silent, glancing around the room.
“I would ask another favour,” he said. “But now is not the time. You may leave.”