Free The Armored Doctor (Curiosity Chronicles Book 2) by Ava Morgan Page B

rest from work. A week before, Abigail received an invitation from her sister to visit on December 25th. She welcomed the opportunity to see family again and celebrate the holiday.
    Hammond answered the door when Abigail came by on Christmas morning. He called back into the house, “Catherine, Abigail is here.”
    The sound of little feet pattering ensued. Instead of Catherine coming to greet her, Phillip and Winnie burst past their father and all but leapt onto Abigail like a pair of capuchins. Laughing even as she sought out her balance, she wrapped her arms around the children. Her hands clung to a tied parcel and two wrapped packages, one in red and the other in green.
    “Merry Christmas.” She handed the red gift to Winnie and the green to Phillip.
    “Open them in the sitting room,” said Hammond, ushering them back inside. “They’ve been this rambunctious ever since the academy let out for winter holiday.”
    “This is for you and Catherine.” Abigail handed him the wrapped parcel, which contained a loaf of gingerbread, and stepped over the threshold. She beheld the interior space decorated with holly boughs, ornaments, and wreaths of pine and fir. The festive display continued with the mistletoe-strewn entryway of the sitting room and up the bell-laden banister of the staircase. She inhaled of the crisp greenery of pine, mixed with the warmth of plum pudding wafting from the kitchen.
    “Abigail.” Catherine emerged from the sitting room, flashing teeth as white as the lace on her taffeta dress. “I thought you wouldn’t make it, with your new work and all.”
    “Even medical practices take holidays.”
    “Speaking of which,” Catherine said, steering her over to the bottom of the staircase. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Hammond has brought us news of your employer.”
    “He has?” Abigail didn’t really think Catherine would trouble herself to learn more of Dr. Valerian. Obviously, she was wrong.
    Hammond joined them. He glanced at the children in the sitting room before he spoke. “Abigail, I’ve done some inquiring among my bank clientele and club associates. They had a few remarks about Dr. Valerian.”
    “You sound worried.”
    “I am.” Hammond tilted his head. “According to other physicians who went to school with him, Valerian is more metal worker than medical practitioner. He doesn’t follow conventional practices.”
    “If by that you mean his methods are more inventive, then I suppose you’re right.”
    “I mean he’s an eccentric. He doesn’t frequent the gentlemen’s clubs or take part in society as others of his profession do.”
    “He’s very busy with patients and college lectures.”
    “Does that explain why he’s let his hair grow long, or dress in loose trousers?” Hammond leaned forward, lowering his voice. “One of his Cambridge classmates described his appearance to me. He also said that before Valerian accepted a position as a field medic to India in ‘32, he looked like any other gentleman. Since he came back, though, he grew obsessed with metalworking, even building a blast furnace in the back of his house. He’s thrown himself into nothing but his work. A recluse, estranged even from his own family in Sussex.”
    “Egad,” said Catherine. “What do you think it could be? Brain fever?”
    “In India’s heat, perhaps.” Hammond shrugged a thin shoulder. “I talked with another associate, a railroad investor. Valerian was engaged to the man’s youngest daughter before he left. Needless to say, she didn’t marry him. He must have gone mad over there and scared her upon his return home.”
    Abigail stepped out of the circle of confidants, uncomfortable with what they were telling her and the free manner in which they did so. “I think I’ve heard enough gossip.”
    “Hammond only means to tell you this for your own protection,” said Catherine.“Yes,” Hammond affirmed. “I know little of Valerian’s marvel mechanical