Borrowed Dreams (Scottish Dream Trilogy) by May McGoldrick, Jan Coffey, Nicole Cody, Nikoo McGoldrick, James McGoldrick Page A

there an
hour, when Millicent had sent out hot drinks and asked them to come in for
something to eat, they had declined. Dr. Parker had told them to wait with the
carriage, as they would be staying for only a few moments before going on to
Lord Eglinton’s estate near Chiswell Green today.
    She continued to pace the room. Dr.
Parker had been abrupt and dismissive when she’d greeted him upon his arrival,
and the doctor and his assistant had gone directly upstairs to Lord Aytoun’s
chambers. Aside from asking that some food be sent up, the physician had
declined with a wave of his hand her offer of spending the night at Melbury
Hall. His other patients, who were “too lofty in London’s social circles to
name,” needed him. He must return to the city immediately.
     The physician’s comment did not
sit well with Millicent as she again found herself being reminded of her own
social position. She would never have been in Lord Aytoun’s company if it were
not for his accident. But despite the slight, Millicent was quite happy that
he’d made the trip out, for she had dozens of questions about the earl’s
condition, and they were becoming more pressing with each passing day.   
    Dr. Parker didn’t keep her waiting
much longer. While the man’s assistant went directly to the carriage, Gibbs
showed the doctor to the Morning Room. Millicent gestured for him to sit down,
but the man ignored her invitation and glanced at a watch he kept on a gleaming
gold chain in his waistcoat pocket.
    “All is well, m’lady,” the
physician said in a slightly hurried voice. “There will be no need for any new
medicine, but I have directed Lord Aytoun’s manservant to increase the
frequency of the dosage that we began in London. So now, if you will forgive
me, Lady Aytoun, I shall be on my way.” He turned to the door. “I do not know
when I shall return to Melbury Hall, but perhaps now that the earl is under
such capable care, I could send out my very able assistant every fortnight or
so, and I shall keep you advised as to his lordship’s condition.”
    “I do have a few questions, Dr.
Parker, which I was hoping you might answer for me.” She took a step toward
him, her voice shaking slightly with emotion. “They concern the earl’s general
health.”
    The physician paused and turned
back to her. His bushy brows drew into a tight frown.
    “I don’t believe you need to be
troubling yourself, m’lady. Lord Aytoun is in my care now, and I shall see to
it that his lordship gets whatever care he needs.”
    “I am not doubting your abilities
in the slightest, sir. I am certain that the dowager would have enlisted your
services only if she had the greatest confidence in you.”
    “As I may have mentioned earlier,”
he began, puffing up with a pompous air, “my clients consist only of the most
elite members of London’s ton .”
     “I am certain that is true, and to
have a physician of your stature journey all the way out to Hertfordshire is
greatly appreciated.”
    Millicent watched as his attitude
settled into one of benign condescension.
    “Of course,” he said slowly,
smiling as if he had just learned something profound about her. “Your concern
for your new husband is understandable, if not admirable. And I shall be certain to convey your concern to her ladyship, the dowager countess.”
    “That is hardly necessary, I assure
you. But with regard to the earl’s treatment—”
    He raised a plump hand to stop her.
“You do understand, m’lady, that I have never been involved with his lordship’s
external injuries.”
    “I understand that. But—”
    “I have been informed that a Scotch
surgeon from Edinburgh, named Wilkins or Wallace or something similar, set the
bones after his lordship’s…er, unfortunate fall from the cliff. Now, if that
man’s negligence has caused Lord Aytoun to continue having difficulty using his
legs and his right arm, I cannot say one way or another. But after such a fall,
I would