When the Heavens Fall (43 page)

Instantly Perry snarled, “Winslow is not a physician, my lord!”

“I am not aware of the different categories you have set up. All I know is that my nephew was restored to health, while you have not been able to do the same for my son. Therefore, I am going to take Leslie to these two men.”

“Colin Winslow is a worse rebel than his mentor, Dr. Teague! He could kill your son!”

“I am not interested in a piece of paper that speaks of a man's qualifications,” Lord Withington said. His voice had a thread of steel running through it.“ I have talked to some of my friends who have had the same symptoms as my son, and several of them have gone to Dr. Teague and his associate.
They all say Mr. Winslow, as young as he is, was successful at treating his patients.”

“It is very dangerous, I must warn you! Your son could suffer dreadfully if you put him in the hands of these two men! They have no respect for the great physicians of history. Why, they both had the gall to say Galen, the greatest of all physicians in history, was wrong on many counts!”

“Who is Galen? Is he practicing now?”

“Why, no, sir, he is not. He has been dead for many years. But his treatments are used by every reputable physician in the world.”

Lord Withington said disdainfully, “Yes, the physicians that treated my nephew followed this authority, and the poor boy nearly died. It was only after Dr. Teague and Mr. Winslow treated him that he lived. My mind is made up. I thank you for your help and I will pay your fees, but I intend to see that my son sees Dr. Teague and his associate.”

As soon as the door closed behind Lord Withington, Regis Perry unloosed a string of oaths such as John Chadburn had never heard. He waited until Perry had run down, then said, “If I were you, Dr. Perry, I would not take on Lord Withington as an enemy. He is a powerful man, so you should tread very carefully.”

Perry's face grew as red as a furnace, but he clapped his meaty lips together, for he well knew that Chadburn was right. He filed the incident in his mind and made a vow that moment that he would do whatever was needed to bring about the downfall of Dr. Phineas Teague and his associate Colin Winslow no matter what the cost!

“Not a bad old pile of bricks is it, Colin?”

Colin had arrived with Teague at Withington, the home of Lord Withington. They had been driving for what seemed like hours through lands that belonged to Withington, and now the driver halted the carriage in front of the imposing structure.

“It is more than a pile of bricks isn't it, Dr. Teague?”

Indeed Withington was most impressive. Colin stared at it, fascinated by the size. He studied the immense front lawn, which was decorated with fountains, as well as hedges carved into fantastic states. Great gargoyles crowned the structure, which was composed of white towers that seemed to rise to the sky. “It's a huge place, Doctor.”

“I never look at these places without thinking that they are nothing more than monuments to man's pride. Who would want a house with fifty bedrooms? Come, boy, let's see what Lord Withington wants. I pray we can give it to him! He is a good man to have on one's side.”

Colin leaped to the ground and waited as his companion came down slowly. They stood in a huge courtyard, a place of perfect symmetry, with delicate carvings everywhere. It seemed the stone leaves in the stone trees came to life.

“Shut your mouth, boy, before you swallow a bug,” Phineas
Teague grunted. “It's just a house, bigger than most, but when Lord Withington, dies, he will leave it here, just as a peasant will leave his thatched roof behind. Come along now.”

The two moved forward and climbed the steps, and as they reached the top, a massive door swung open. A tall servant in livery stood before them, saying, “May I help you, sirs?”

“I am Dr. Teague and this is Mr. Winslow. Lord Withington has asked us to call.”

“Of course, sir. He mentioned that you would be coming. Would you step inside please?'

The two went inside and were led down a wide hallway and then entered a massive room with a high ceiling and large windows, which allowed the summer sunbeams to illuminate the place. Carpets were everywhere, so thick they seemed to reach to Colin's ankles, and beautiful paintings adorned the walls.

Rich velvet curtains were pulled back from the windows, revealing beautiful, exquisitely carved furniture. Colin was still looking around when a man entered from the right. Colin turned to face him and saw that Lord Withington was a tall, somewhat imposing man. There was an aura of power about him, an attitude of an expectation of total obedience that Colin had noticed in other men of influence.

“Dr. Teague, I believe.”

“Yes, and this is my associate, Mr. Colin Winslow.”

“You gentlemen are welcome to my home. I am glad you could come so quickly.”

“We came as soon as we got your message. I assumed it was important. Do you have a problem we can help you with?”

“Indeed I do. Gentlemen, would you sit down?” Lord Withington turned to the servant, saying, “Wilkins, bring the gentlemen something to drink.” He added, “We can have a meal later, but I can have something brought now if you like.”

“Not at all, my lord. We are anxious to be of what help we can.” Teague answered.

“Good.” Withington waited until the two were seated and the servant had left before he said, “I have one son, gentlemen.
Leslie is nineteen years old, and he has been ill for more than a month. I fear he's growing steadily worse.”

“What has been done, my lord?”

“I have had him examined by five physicians, but none of them seem to be able to help him.” Worry lines appeared between Withington's eyes, and he seemed less assured. “No physician has been able to find what is the cause or the cure for my boy. I have a brother, Sir Winfred Farley. I believe you know him, Dr. Teague.”

“I do indeed, sir. I attended his son in his sickness.”

“That is what my brother tells me. He spoke so highly of you and Mr. Winslow that I sent for you at once. I fear I have wasted time with other physicians. They talk a great deal, saying things that no man could understand unless they have studied medicine for a lifetime!” Withington said with frustration.

“I fear my profession hides behind difficult sentences and obscurities in language,” Dr. Teague agreed. “I assure you I will tell you nothing but the simplest truth.”

“That is what I have been told by my brother.”

“What are your son's symptoms, my lord?”

The three men talked about the young man's symptoms and finally Lord Withington said, “I am anxious for you to see my boy. It seems almost hopeless. Day by day he loses strength and weight. My wife and I are terribly afraid.”

“That is natural, sir,” Teague said gently. He could be a harsh man at times, but toward those who were suffering from illness or had a family member in danger he could be a totally different man. He voice became softer as he said, “I think it might be best that we see the young man before we make any decisions.”

“Would you like for me to write down what I have told you, Dr. Teague?”

“Oh, no. My assistant here has a memory that is phenomenal. He can remember anything and quote you back word for word everything that you have said.”

Lord Withington set his gaze on Colin, who felt the power of it. “That is a very fine and unique gift for a physician.”

“I trust that we will be able to help your son,” Colin said
quickly. He felt an instant liking for the man. He had known other powerful men of influence who were arrogant, but he saw little of that in this man. “We will do the very best we can, sir,” he added quietly.

“Leslie is probably asleep at the moment, but I would like for you to meet the rest of my family.”

Lord Withington spoke to the servant, saying, “Ask my wife and daughter to come in, Wilkins.”

Colin was studying the face of Sir Withington and he saw there pain, fear, and helplessness. His thought was that no matter how powerful a man is, when death faces him he is the same as the poorest peasant in England. He and Teague rose as two women entered the room.

“This is my wife, Lady Withington, and this is my daughter, Lady Benton. This is Dr. Teague and his associate, Mr. Winslow.”

Lady Withington was in her early forties. She was an attractive woman with a wealth of brown hair and warm brown eyes. At the moment you could see the fear, but Colin saw an attractive, gentle spirit. “I welcome you, gentlemen, and I hope you will be able to help my son.”

Lady Benton was a young woman who Colin saw was no more than twenty-five. There was much of her father in her, and little of her mother. She stepped forward and extended her hand. Dr. Teague took it at once, bending over it with a polite kiss.

“I am so happy you are here, Dr. Teague. We are very worried about Leslie.”

Colin did not expect her to speak to him since he was a mere assistant, but Lady Benton came at once and extended her hand. Colin followed Dr. Teague's example. He bent over it awkwardly and touched the back of her hand with his lips. When he straightened up he saw that she was watching him in a strange manner. There was something different about this woman. Her eyes were dark, and her skin was flawless. There was an exotic richness in her lips that most women did not have. Her figure
was clearly discernible in the orchid-colored dress she wore. “We welcome both of you, and I pray you will be able to help my poor brother.”

At that moment refreshments were brought in, and they all sat down while a serving maid passed small drinks and sandwiches around. “I thought you would be hungry after your long journey,” Lady Withington said

Colin did not join in the talk, but he listened avidly. Lord Withington said, “I must warn you, I have had a difference of opinion with men that may give you some problems.”

“I am used to that.” Teague smiled. “No doubt it was with Dr. Perry.”

“Yes, you were expecting it then?”

“We have crossed swords before. Our methods differ completely.”

“Well, I am glad to hear that, because their methods were absolutely no help! But I would not want to run you into danger in your professional life.”

“We are healers,” Teague said. He took a bite of a cucumber sandwich, and chewing around it he said, “We will do what we must for our patients, and the College must do as it pleases.”

Lady Withington's voice was laced with fear. “I beg you, sir, save my son. You were able to save our nephew Simon, and I pray that you will have that same success with Leslie.”

“Mother, I am sure these gentlemen will do everything in their power,” Lady Benton said. Colin saw her eyes fixed on him rather than Teague, which disturbed him. After all, Teague was the physician while he was merely an assistant. Her gaze had something in it that made him uncomfortable.

Finally Lord Withington said, “Wilkins tells me that my son is still sleeping, and you must be tired. Wilkins, show these gentlemen to their rooms.”

Lady Benton smiled. “Before you take a rest, Mr. Winslow, I would like to hear more of your treatment of my cousin Simon.”

The invitation was more of a command, and after the others had left the room, Colin stood before Lady Benton awkwardly.
He'd had little experience with women, and this was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He knew that she was married to a nobleman, for she was “Lady” Benton. “Come, it's so beautiful outside. I love this time of the year. Let me show you my roses.”

“Certainly, Lady Benton.”

Colin followed her outside through an intricate isle of hedges until they came to a beautiful rose garden. He stopped and exclaimed, “Look at the colors! I've never seen such colors in flowers.”

“My mother is a great lover of flowers, much more than I. I just enjoy them, but she loves them. Shall we sit?”

Colin waited until Lady Benton seated herself on the stone bench, then he seated himself beside her. It was a small bench, barely wide enough for the two of them. Colin was intensely aware of the pressure of her arm against his. She turned to face him and a smile crept across her lips. “I am surprised to see you are so young. No one told me this.”

“Yes, my lady. I am nineteen.”

“And yet Dr. Teague places such trust in you. I can see it in the way he spoke of you.”

“I have been very fortunate, my lady, to study under Dr. Teague.”

“Tell me about yourself.”

“Myself? Why, there is not much to tell.”

“Oh come now! A handsome young physician such as yourself must have a great deal to say.”

Colin was awkwardly speechless for a moment, for there was a lingering smile on Lady Benton's lips, which was reflected in her eyes. At her insistence he told her a little of his life. When he was finished he noticed she was watching him in a peculiar way.

“Most of the doctors I've know have been older men. That's why I was surprised to meet a young handsome doctor such as yourself.”