Ecstasy Wears Emeralds by Renee Bernard Read Free Book Online Page B

was up to the task. If she’d been allowed a formal education, it was groundwork that would have already been laid. But her boast of being a quick study was proving true. Even so, the books could only take her so far, and then it would be a challenge to get her access to a corpse and—
    He caught himself with a frustrated groan, arresting the path of his thoughts. Miss Renshaw was to quit long before the grim work of a hands-on anatomy course, and he, of all people, needed to remember that.
    The torture of his new apprentice was supposed to be a necessary inconvenience, not something he was beginning to genuinely enjoy. But as she’d demonstrated more and more of that keen intellect and tenacity, he’d started to look forward to every battle, test, and exchange with his unusual pupil. He’d pushed her harder than any apprentice had ever been pressed, and she’d simply borne it with a grace that often left him speechless.
    â€œSorry to interrupt, doctor,” Carter broke in from the side panel door, hidden by one of the curio cabinets, his entire stance apologetic.
    The fact that he hadn’t used the main door from the hallway to Rowan’s study spoke volumes. It meant he’d come straight up the servants’ backstairs in his haste, which hinted that Mrs. Evans or the cook had put a fire under his feet. “It’s fine, Carter. Yours is the face I am always happy to see.”
    â€œNonsense! I’m the poor man constantly besetting you with the worst news of patients’ calls at all hours, and don’t think I’m not grateful that you don’t snap at me for it.”
    Like my father used to. Carter had been a part of the family for as long as Rowan could remember, and before he’d graduated to long pants, he’d quietly sworn that no matter how tired or out of sorts he was feeling, he would never take it out on dear Carter. Every dent in the wooden molding around the private library room door told the tale of a brass bookend hurled at Carter’s head for interrupting one of his father’s happier moments mapping a future adventure or daydreaming of medical discoveries. His father’s living had depended on his patients, but the man had never stopped resenting them for falling ill at the most inconvenient moments. “Never kill the messenger! Some wise Greek said it and we’ll carve it over your bedroom door if it’s any comfort.”
    Carter smiled. “Bless those Greeks, sir.”
    â€œWhat was it you wanted?” Rowan prompted diplomatically.
    â€œOh yes! I’m afraid it’s to do with Miss Renshaw.”
    â€œIs Mrs. Evans unhappy? Is she proving to be a troublesome or demanding guest?”
    Carter sighed. “Just the opposite, doctor. It seems Mrs. Evans is sure the girl is underfed. She’s missing meals when you’re not in the house, and the women have decided she’s not ringing for trays—perhaps in an effort not to bother the staff.”
    â€œAh! But now it’s becoming a worry. . . . Has Mrs. Evans not offered to simply tell her that ringing for a tray or for tea is not a problem? We can’t have her fainting from malnutrition, Carter.”
    â€œAnd there we are. It’s all caution and care and not knowing how to address a woman who is neither truly an employee nor a guest under the roof. They’re all pride and speculation downstairs, wanting to please but not wanting to overstep if she’s not to be here long and not welcome.”
    â€œShe’s—” Damn! I’m scheming to drive her out and my empathetic household isn’t sure who to help. Mrs. Evans can’t stand to starve her out but is wondering if I’d be perfectly happy to see it happen. What a world! Rowan closed his notebook carefully. “Miss Renshaw is very welcome here, Carter. I would appreciate it if you would convey to Mrs. Evans that a tray be arranged for her meals, whether the