Dangerous in Diamonds - Madeline Hunter [70]
“Your Grace, really, I do not think I should allow you to dictate this—”
“ ‘ Regarding any passing experiences this patient may have had of a carnal nature—’ ”
“That sounds as if they have been few and far between, when you admitted just a quarter hour ago that—”
“ ‘—it is my medical opinion, which is sought even by members of the royal family, that he is totally free of any of the diseases that are associated with such activities.’ ”
Neverton put down his foot. Or rather, his pen. “I cannot say you are totally free. I cannot. You appear to be, yes. I believe you to be, yes. Your precautions, if you did use condoms as you say, support that you are. But I cannot be certain, one hundred percent. I am unable to vouch in that manner about any person who has had sexual congress with another human being.”
“Then say all that, much as you said it to me. Only leave out the part where you impugned my honor with the ‘as you say,’ which I will generously overlook if you write this letter very, very well. I have dueled over lesser insults, as you know, since you have attended on the field along with the surgeon.”
Dr. Neverton blanched and looked up with caution in his eyes.
“And, Neverton, I have decided it would indeed add a nice touch if you wrote that you yourself have indulged at the establishment that I favored when I had such passing activities, and that if you did not know that the house was clean, you would not use it yourself.”
“Your Grace! You cannot expect me to incriminate myself for your benefit, and in writing no less!”
“Then be available to say it in person, should I need your testimony. The choice is yours.”
Mouth folded tightly, Dr. Neverton penned the letter, signed and dated it, and handed it over. Castleford made sure it covered all the points expected, as emphatically as required.
He then released the physician. Not happy at all, but very well compensated, Dr. Neverton took his leave.
Castleford folded the letter and placed it in a drawer. Now he had to track down the physicians who attended to the women in Katy’s establishment and the other brothels he had used in the last year. It should not take more than a few days at most.
He went to his dressing room and gave his valets orders to prepare him for the day. While he submitted to their attendance, a letter was brought up that had arrived in the midday mail.
Mr. Edwards had deigned to write. It was the first letter to come since that frantic one about the trespasser. Castleford read it while one valet shaved him and another pared his other hand’s nails.
Compared to the last massive missive, this time Mr. Edwards proved remarkably brief. In a few short lines he said the examination of the property progressed well, that all remained quiet on the property, and that he anticipated completion by week’s end. He did not even complain about the bedbugs.
One week. It only served as a reminder that matters had been dragging on with Daphne Joyes longer than they should have.
Castleford stood while the valets dressed him, and he calculated the battles won or lost thus far in that little siege. Memories from their evening in the garden tent had him smiling, then cursing himself for sentimentality in the next moment.
It had hardly been a victory. She had walked away with diamonds worth a nice-size fortune and a guaranteed home for life at his expense. There were mistresses of wealthy men who did not accumulate that much after a year of extending favors, rather than withholding them.
And he had walked away