Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [25]
'No. I do not have any children. That is why I became a guardian to James.'
'Quite right. Every boy needs a guardian angel, someone with their best interests at heart - especially one with such rare gifts as James possesses.'
'I couldn't agree more.'
'Of course, not all are so fortunate in life. Some fall into the clutches of disreputable people. From where was it you rescued James?'
The Baroness stood up sharply. It was clear the Doctor was not the buffoon she had first thought and his idle ramblings were a ruse designed to catch her off guard. Ìf you'll excuse me, I must see how my ward is feeling this morning. He finds a séance quite draining. Good morning to you.' Luckner excused herself from the table.
'I'm sure he does. Perhaps I will visit with him later.'
Once she had gone the Doctor turned to the servants standing behind him, smiling broadly. 'Now, I wonder if there's any chance of having another pair of these delightful kippers?'
Nyssa opened her eyes again. Strange how sometimes sleep played tricks on the unconscious mind. Her mind was telling her she had just laid back down for a moment, trying to rediscover that window on the dream of another. But now, as she looked around the room, Nyssa knew several hours had elapsed. The sunlight had moved across the room and she could hear people passing in the corridor outside. I should make a note of this, she decided, but could not see the journal in which she had been recording her observations.
Perhaps the Doctor had it. The Doctor - that unlocked a flood of memories and she knew where she was. Judging by the surroundings, they had become guests of Queen Victoria.
This chamber was much larger and grander than her bedroom in the TARDIS, Nyssa observed. It was far more ornate, with elaborate plasterwork across the ceiling and a rich tapestry hung above a fireplace on the wall opposite her bed. Nearby was a three-panelled screen, each section lovingly embroidered with silk threads to resemble the feathers of a peacock. In one corner stood a magnificent walnut wardrobe, accompanied by a matching dresser with mirror. A white bowl stood on the dresser, steam rising from the warm water inside it. Nyssa found she was clad in a white linen nightdress, its sleeves reaching down to her wrists and the bodice buttoned up tightly to her neck. Another memory floated to the surface of her thoughts, an all-pervading smell that clung to the air as though infecting her thoughts, trying to inhabit her reason. Last night's faint had been an involuntary defence mechanism, she decided.
Recently she had experienced a heightened telepathy while in the presence of highly developed alien beings. Was her dreaming visitation an after-effect of that telepathy?
Could her exposure to the Xeraphin have awakened some psychic sensitivity long since dormant in the people of Traken? It was an interesting theory, but one that would have to wait. Nyssa realised she was quite ravenous and the bold sunlight indicated the morning was passing her by. It was time to get out of bed.
Sweeping aside the covers, Nyssa walked to the dresser.
Aside from a bump on her head, she seemed to be suffering no ill effects from her fainting spell. A cloth was ready by the bowl of steaming water, with several pristine towels nearby.
She shed the white gown and began methodically washing herself, the warm liquid reinvigorating her skin. A door opened behind her and Nyssa heard a gasp of astonishment.
A maid had entered and was trying not to stare at the naked woman.
'Hello, I'm Nyssa. What's your name?'
`M-Mary, miss. I'm t-terrible sorry, I d-didn't know you were awake...’
Nyssa wrapped a towel round herself, smiling at the maid's embarrassment. 'There's no need to apologise. I was just taking advantage of this lovely water. Did you put it here?'
'Yes, miss. I could run you a bath if you'd prefer.'
`No,