Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [37]
`Please, Nyssa,' Tremas said, but the words were coming from James's mouth. I looked down into the young man's eyes, saw the deathly pallor of his skin and knew he was right. I stepped back from my father, out of his reach.
`Goodbye, father,' I whispered.
`Goodbye, Nyssa,' he replied, already fading back into a creature of translucent light, burning candles behind him becoming visible through his shape. 'Don't cry, my child, we shall meet again - on the Other Side...' Then the light shrank into a ball of glowing energy, hovering a few feet above the ground, before merging back into James's body. The young man convulsed once more, his face contorted in agony, and then he lay still, no sound audible but shouting from outside the bedchamber.
Ìs he still alive?'
The Doctor bent over James's body and listened for a heartbeat. Yes - just.'
`Lady Nyssa, can you hear me? It's Sir Henry Ponsonby!'
`Just a moment, Sir Henry!' I called back before whispering to the Doctor, 'What should I do?'
`Just don't let him in here. We could never explain this in a way he'd understand.'
Mary was running down the corridor towards Nyssa's bedchamber, accompanied by Michael. 'Sir Henry, wait!'
`There you are at last,' Ponsonby replied. 'Young man, I will forget your earlier transgression if you can break down this door.'
Ì'll do my best sir,' Michael replied. Ìf you'll move aside...'
Just as Michael was about to charge down the door, it opened a fraction to reveal the sleepy face of Nyssa.
`What is all the noise out here? I thought I heard people shouting,' she said, stifling a yawn. One hand clutched a bedsheet around her chest, her naked shoulders visible above the crisp white fabric.
`Lady Nyssa, are you of sound mind and body?' Ponsonby asked.
`Yes, of course. Did I call out in my sleep again? I'm sorry if I disturbed anyone,' she replied innocently.
`We heard screams coming from your bedchamber - one sounded like a man'
`Really? Well, I can assure you there are no men in my bedchamber. You can come in if you like...’ Nyssa offered, beginning to hold open the door, 'but I am not dressed' The top of her bedsheet slipped slightly downwards for a moment, allowing Sir Henry a glimpse of more naked flesh, halting his eager advance towards the doorway. Blushing crimson, he, hurriedly averted his gaze.
`Please, Lady Nyssa, have a care!'
She smiled sweetly. 'I can be dressed in a few minutes if you would allow Mary to assist me. Otherwise it may take a little longer.’
`That will not be necessary,' the private secretary replied. 'I shall bid you a good night's rest. Do not hesitate to call for help if you should require it!
Nyssa nodded. 'Good night, Sir Henry.' She watched him stride away.
Mary almost fainted, such was her relief at averting disaster. Lady Nyssa, you shouldn't go playing with fire like that. Sir Henry is not a man to be trifled with'
`Thank you for the warning, Mary,' she replied. 'If you'll excuse me, I have some tidying up to do in here. I'll see you in the morning' Nyssa closed the door quietly and locked it again from the inside.
Mary turned to find Michael still beside her, his mouth agape at what he had just witnessed. 'And as for you! Quit your gawping and get back to work!'
Extract from Observations and Analysis, A Journal: By the time I had sent Sir Henry away, the Doctor had shifted James on to my bed and was giving him a more thorough examination. I slipped my arms back into the sleeves of my dress and pulled the fabric back up over my shoulders, refastening the buttons up to my neck. Decency restored, I joined the Doctor at the bedside. 'How is he?'
`His breathing is shallow and his pulse sluggish, but I think he will recover. It is fortunate James is still young -the strain of maintaining that manifestation would have killed anyone older.' The Doctor peered at me in the dim candlelight. 'How about you - no ill effects?'
`Nothing physical,' I said. Tricking Sir Henry had been a welcome diversion but the crushing reality of losing my father again quickly began to weigh heavily on me. 'Doctor