“He can be intolerably stubborn, but he’s never struck me as unreasonable, so if he’s against an alternate cure, there must be a cause.”
“And so there is,” Louise told Albert. “Mr. Berkly would be operating.”
“The Earl of Hedgewick’s son?”
“The very same.”
Albert huffed a breath. “I can’t say I blame Papa’s reasoning. Hedgewick was tried for murder and hung by the neck. Everyone bearing his name was ruined by association.”
“Does that not strike you as incredibly unfair?”
“I suppose so, but it is how Society works.”
“Well,” Louise said, deciding to press on past that annoying fact, “as it turns out, Mr. Berkly now practices at St. Agatha’s with the Duke of Redding and Mrs. Lowell.”
“Two people who’ve barely managed to live down their own scandals,” Albert muttered. “This story gets better and better.”
Ignoring his sarcastic tone, Louise said, “As you well know, Redding is renowned for his skill. If he’s prepared to vouch for Mr. Berkly, then surely the man must have some sense of what he is doing.”
“I suppose that would be a logical assumption. In fact, contrary to Papa’s opinion of Redding being no more than an over-glorified barber surgeon, he’d be the first man I’d go to if I ever needed to be cut open. From what I hear, he truly is remarkable.”
“And since this does seem to be the general consensus these days, it infuriates me even more that Papa keeps insisting on Doctor Pierson.”
“Papa is a man of habit. Plus, he’s as strong as an ox so he’s never had to endure Pierson’s methods himself. Besides, the two are old friends and in spite of his faults, Papa is loyal.”
“I suppose,” Louise muttered. “But be that as it may, I don’t want Doctor Pierson poking around inside my eye ever again. It’s a horrid procedure to have to go through.”
“But one you may have to endure.”
“Unless you help me avoid it.”
The pause that followed was terribly long. Louise clutched her hands together and kept her mouth shut. She knew Albert would need time to process what she implied and to consider the possible outcome.
When he spoke next, his words were measured, his tone more sober than before. “You want to thwart Papa’s wishes in order to try Mr. Berkly’s method instead?”
“Not necessarily, but I would like to learn more about the procedure he is suggesting so I can make a proper decision regarding which method to use.”
“That does sound annoyingly sensible.” Albert sighed. “When are you set to meet with Doctor Pierson?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“That doesn’t leave us much time. Does either of our parents know you’re here?”
“Yes, but they’ll probably expect me back for luncheon.”
“I’ll send a note informing them Diana and I have invited you to stay and eat with us. Once that’s taken care of, I’ll request Mr. Berkly stop by for a visit if he is able so he may explain—”
Louise threw her arms around her brother and hugged him. “Thank you, Albert. You truly are the best brother in the world.” Pulling back, she asked, “Are you certain you won’t mind if people see him coming here?”
“I’m sure my reputation will survive one visit from the former Viscount Seabrook.”
He didn’t sound entirely certain, which only made Louise love him more. He was risking not only their father’s wrath but the good opinion of his fellow peers. She was beyond grateful.
“You have our full support,” Diana said a short while later as they ate. Louise’s plate had been arranged like a clock with simple things that were easy for her to manage alone. She picked up a cucumber stick at three o’clock and bit it in half. “Your father will not have the final say in this matter.”
“Thank you, Diana.”
“Honestly,” Diana seethed. “That man has some nerve. I’m glad you’re taking a stance against him, Albert.”
Louise hid a grin. She knew her sister-in-law had always hated their father and that he disliked her in equal measure. It was the primary reason why Diana and Albert rarely came to visit, because putting Grasmere in the same room as Lady Linton was like tossing a stick of dynamite into a munitions store. Diana was not the sort of woman who shied away from speaking her mind, which was something Louise had always admired her for.
“It isn’t fair of him to deny my sister the chance she deserves to make her own choice,” Albert said.
“I dare you to say that during the next parliamentary session,” Diana told Albert sweetly. Although he could not hold a position within the House of Lords until he became earl, he’d managed to secure a position within the House of Commons, as a representative of a borough held by his father. “Perhaps you can educate other men with your progressive views.”
“If it were up to me,” Albert said, “you would be able to do so in my stead.”
“Oh, Albert,” Diana said, her voice one of pure delight. “You always know how to make my heart soar.”
He chuckled. Louise ate the rest of her cucumber stick. If she wasn’t mistaken, she had one piece of sliced sausage left at nine o’clock. She jabbed it with her fork and had popped it into her mouth when the Linton butler announced Mr. Berkly’s arrival. Her heart skipped a beat in response to his name, and her stomach turned into a tangled mess.
Which was to be expected.
It made sense she’d be nervous to meet with a man who’d been shunned by the ton and to pin all her hopes on him. And yet, she could not help but do so. The brief explanation he’d offered at Lowell House allowed her to hope for a chance at a normal life without fear. Provided she placed her trust in him.
Louise didn’t think doing so would be hard. He’d sounded more knowledgeable than Doctor Pierson, who’d always seemed to struggle with explanations. For the most part, he’d brush off her questions by saying that eye operations were complicated and required a medical education to understand.
“Shall we?” Albert asked. His hand touched Louise’s shoulder.
“Yes.” Louise pushed her chair back and stood. She glanced in Diana’s direction. “Please excuse us.”
“Of course,” Diana said. “I hope Mr. Berkly will prove himself helpful.”
Louise thanked her and allowed her brother to escort her to the parlor. She stepped inside and glanced around until she caught a movement which she believed must be Mr. Berkly rising from a chair.
“Lord Linton,” Mr. Berkly said, his low voice as calming as Louise recalled. “And Lady Louise. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I believe my sister will tell you in a moment, but first, would you care for some tea or coffee? There’s also brandy and claret if you prefer.”
“I wouldn’t say no to a cup of coffee,” Mr. Berkly said.
“How about you, Louise?” Albert asked. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” She’d no intention of accidentally spilling her tea or worse, relying upon her brother to help her drink in front of Mr. Berkly.