Put it that way, he sounded as if he belonged in Bedlam. Warrick clenched his fists, glaring at the man with his pen and paper.
“I see the problem,” the doctor said, “but there is no easy treatment for your problem. We have to do some tests.”
“Tests?”What bloody tests?
If anyone thought for one minute he would subject himself to the whims of this charlatan, they were sorely mistaken.
A small sigh came from beside him. “Theodosia, you really are too much.”
Ah, so her source was Lady Theodosia, that mischievous wench. He should have asked for more clarity before he set out today.
The doctor looked over to Selena. “Are you his caretaker?”
His entire body jerked in reaction to that question. He glanced at her slowly. Their eyes met. A sudden sparkle lit her gaze, sending a shiver of warning down his spine.
She turned back to the doctor. “Why yes, he is my ward.”
I am being punished, aren’t I?
“I see.” The doctor put his quill down. “His condition is quite sensitive. But it may soon become quite dangerous for you alone to manage. I suggest you consider sending your ward to a care facility in the future.”
Warrick bristled. Wait a bloody minute.
Selena nodded thoughtfully. “The family curse...”
“I cannot be sure. He is suffering from some form of delusion. If you want help, we shall have to do further tests to get to the root of the cause.”
“Oh?” Thatohcontained so much intrigue that Warrick wanted to throttle the woman. “Delusion? Is this treatable?”
Delusion my arse!Dear God, could this day get any worse? The only delusion he suffered was that Selena would be of any help. She was born to torment him. In person, and these days, in his dreams as well. He couldn’t even tell the difference between what was real and what was not.
The doctor nodded. “Treatment will include—”
Warrick leaped from his chair. “No treatment is needed.”
“Sir, I suggest you calm down.”
“Do not tell me to calm down, you quack. I am calm. Extremely calm. What I’m not is delusional.” God forbid this man strap him into a chair with needles poking into his head. Wasn’t that what these sorts of charlatans called testing? Warrick sent a warning look to Selena. “We’re leaving.”
She nodded, rising from her chair. “Thank you for your time, doctor. I think it best if I escort my ward home for the time being.”
A sound of disgust gurgled from the back of Warrick’s throat.Thank you for your time?This was time wasted that he could never get back. Time he could have spent sleeping. In peace.
Warrick marched from the charlatan’s house, his temper growing with every step. His belly growled, reminding him he hadn’t had breakfast yet. He needed sustenance or he might just explode. His tempter never fared well on an empty belly.
The moment they entered the carriage, Warrick turned a heated look to Selena, “What the devil is the meaning of this, my dear, sweet guardian?”
“I can explain.”
“I’m all ears.”
She sighed, picking at the fabric of her skirt. “Firstly, I didn’t know this would happen. Theodosia said she had someone who could help with information on curses.”
“So you told your friend about my private matters?”
“This is no common quandary, Warrick, so I asked for her help. But do not worry. She won’t breathe a word about it to anyone.”
“But someone else—Doctor White—now knows and thinks I’m a lunatic.”
