The Governess Was Wicked by Julia Kelly Read Free Book Online

window looking out over the street. Jeremy hopped out of the hansom. The doctor emerged close behind him, his head down and face obscured by his hat. Then he looked straight up at the window, and relief flooded her. She’d needed him and he had come. He touched the brim of his hat before following Jeremy up the front steps.
    Elizabeth met Dr. Fellows and Crane at the top of the third-floor stairs a few moments later. “Thank you for coming,” she said, worry lodging the words in her throat.
    Crane edged down the hall and away from the specter of ill children as the handsome doctor nodded. “Jeremy tells me you suspect this isn’t another of Miss Norton’s attacks?”
    She nodded. “I believe it is something more grave this time. Something real.”
    “Tell me what’s the matter.”
    “I don’t want you to think me rash—”
    He reached out and touched her hand gently. “I won’t.”
    She wanted to take that hand and guide him until his arms were wrapped around her in reassurance. “It’s scarlet fever, I’m almost sure of it.”
    His features hardened. “Miss Cassandra?”
    “In my room. I don’t think I saw any symptoms, but I can’t be sure.”
    “I’ll examine Miss Norton first and then Miss Cassandra just to be safe. If it’s scarlet fever . . .”
    If there was such a dangerous illness in the house, they would have to separate the healthy from the sick. The baby would no doubt be removed, as well as Cassandra if she was well. Mr. and Mrs. Norton would flee without a second thought—Elizabeth was certain.
    “If it is, I know what to do,” she said with a deep breath.
    “Well then, let’s have a look.” His fingers brushed her hand again. “And, Miss Porter?”
    “Yes.”
    “We will do everything we can, you and I. Together .”
    That was exactly what she needed, she thought as she fell into step behind him. Elizabeth was so used to taking care of everyone else that she’d forgotten what it was like to have someone caring for her. And yet there the physician was, reassuring and solid, always calm and ready with that crooked smile of his.
    She’d missed him these past months with an urgency she didn’t dare confess to anyone. She should have known the foolishness of kissing him. The stolen moment hadn’t quenched her thirst for Dr. Fellows, but rather fed her desire until it surged up and became as uncontrollable as the sea during a storm. Lying in bed late at night, she could still feel the sensation of his short hair between her fingers. Her cheeks would burn with the mere thought of his lips on hers. And sometimes, when the desperation grew too strong to ignore, she would imagine that mouth kissing lower down her body. Behind her locked door, she would skim her fingers over the insides of her thighs and then—when she was feeling the most daring—dip her fingers into the thick curls between her legs. She’d imagine his mouth there, his fingers pushing back her folds and touching everywhere that throbbed for his attentions. And yet she knew it would never happen. The doctor was far too respectful to be wicked with her.
    “Miss Norton,” Dr. Fellows said as they entered the girls’ room, pulling Elizabeth’s attention back to the very real danger at present. “I hear you’re not feeling well.”
    The little girl hardly made a noise—a great departure from her previous display of dramatics worthy of the Royal Opera House.
    “Well, we shall just have to see what’s the matter,” said Dr. Fellows rather cheerfully.
    She watched as he put down his bag and pulled out the strange device she had seen him hang around his neck during his last visit.
    “Now, I’m going to listen to your heart,” he said, keeping up the string of conversation despite his patient’s lack of response. “Do you know what this is?” He held up the device. “No, I don’t suppose you do. It’s called a binaural stethoscope. It lets me listen to your heart. Can I do that?”
    The girl gave a weak