The Lord and Lady both smiled as Peter took their bribe. Joshua Lovell stood up, frantically shaking Peter’s hand. “You are saving our son. I know the circumstances are not the best, but morally this is the right choice.” He assured the doctor.
“We expect confidentially, doctor. Anything you see, learn, or our son tells you needs to be kept a secret. And if he tells you anything that could put him in danger, we want to be informed. ” Lady Lovell said sternly. “If you have questions, do ask later. It’s time for you to meet our son.”
Jasper was engrossed in the Vicar of Wakefield when he heard a knock at the door. He hollered for whomever to come in, staying reclined on his bed. It was not unusual for his mother and father to enter together, but a third, unfamiliar person followed them. He placed his book on his nightstand, sitting up on his bed. His room was messy, with books open on the floor and clothes in a pile in the corner of the room. The maids saved his room for last.
“You must be the doctor, or this is a strange present from my mama.” Both parents frowned at Jasper’s reply. His mother gestured for him to stand. Jasper chuckled, standing and bowing to the doctor.
“Jasper Lovell, future Baron Lovell.” He says respectfully, glancing at his mother, who nods in approval. Jasper side eyes the doctor, shrugging.
“We will leave you both alone.” Lord Lovell says, smiling, laying a hand on Jasper’s shoulder. He flinches at the contact, and his father looks aghast, frantically apologizing. Jasper winks at his father, “Got you. I’m fine.”
His father shakes his head, hands covering his face, and leaves the room without a word. Constance Lovell gives her son a frown before following her husband out. With the door shut, Jasper lets out a loud breath. He flops back on his bed, turning his head to look at the doctor.
“My mother is quite intimating, so if she did any scaring, I’m sorry. She is protective and what not.” The words feel rehearsed. The number of times he had to apologize, worried that she may have been inadvertently rude again, was too many to count. Yet, the doctor hadn’t left, so he may be over-analyzing something that wasn’t there.
Jasper took a moment to observe the doctor. He was younger than most of the physicians he met. His clothing fit him correctly and seemed to be in good condition, a bit worn maybe. If Jasper were to stand, he would be taller than the doctor. The man seemed like a good sort, by appearance at least. Jasper sat up, giving the doctor his full attention. “You’re younger than most doctors I know. Did you come out of the womb practicing medicine? Or, are you a genius?” He asked, jokingly.
As Lord Lovell shook his hand, the weight of Peter’s sudden decision settled on his shoulders and he immediately wished he could take back his words. Not only was it completely immoral to act behind a patient’s back, but what happens if Peter fails to keep their son home bound? What would this gentleman think of him if he were to find out that his parents were pulling the strings behind his back? His career could be at stake.
The looks on the couple’s faces quelled Peter’s worries a bit, for he knew what it was to miss someone. He knows how it feels to be so desperate to keep a loved one safe and away from further harm. So he mindlessly nodded, managed a half smile and followed the pair down the hall.
The room he was lead into was fairly dark, but not drearily so like many sick rooms he had encountered. It was very obviously the patient’s private sleeping quarters, and the energy was much lighter than Peter had expected. He watched closely as the gentleman, or Jasper, stood to greet him. Peter chuckled at his opening quip, feeling a little more relaxed than before. He returned the bow and clasped his hands behind his back, surveying the room further.
The flinch Jasper expresses does not go unnoticed, but even if it is a joke on his part, the worry on Lord and Lady Lovell’s faces increases tenfold and it becomes abundantly clear what their mission is. Peter follows Jasper back to his bed and begins to unpack his medical kit. “You mother cares deeply for you, that is clear.” He replies. “Your father as well. They were perfectly cordial.”
The contents now placed at the table next to the bed, Peter took this time to begin a basic examination of Jasper. “I take it you are the jester of your family.” He checked both of his eyes for any signs of shrapnel or burn damage and then double checked his pulse before moving on to the main attraction: the injured shoulder. He cleared his throat as he pulled back the fabric and inspected the wound. “I decided to leave university when my pa died. He was a physician as well and I strive to carry on his legacy.” He gently prodded the scar to check for any signs of internal injury or and tenderness. “On a scale from one to ten, ten being searing pain, how does this feel?”