Free The Governess' Examination by Tamsin Taite Page B

old friend had never had much time for nervous complaints, a refreshing change for the doctor in his line of work. “But she is quite susceptible to respiratory illness, which is Mr. Hayes’ chief concern.”
    “He’s quite right to be extra careful,” Matilda said, “especially living in town as they do. Shall she go to your offices this week, Dr. Talbot?”
    “I can easily perform the examination here, if you can spare your study for…oh, less than an hour. It’s quite routine and I have my bag with me.”
    Matilda looked to her niece, who nodded eagerly.
    “Well then,” Matilda said, “it’s settled.”

    After her aunt had retired upstairs Virginia followed Dr. Talbot into the study. Julia had preceded them with Dr. Talbot’s bag, which was waiting on the large oak desk near the center of the room. He stopped at the desk and Virginia moved further into the room towards the fireplace, idly looking over the mantel.
    Facing away from her he opened his bag and said, “If you’ll get undressed dear, we can move on to the rest.” Virginia turned and stared, and then realized she must have misheard him. However Julia appeared beside her and reached for the buttons of her dress.
    “What!?” She whipped around to face Julia, too shocked to form a real question, her motion shaking off Julia’s hands. Did they really expect her to undress in front of a man? The idea made her feel a little faint.
    Dr. Talbot abandoned his bag and turned back towards her, his face amused.
“Is this your first adult medical examination?”
    “I… yes, I suppose,” she answered, unsure what that meant.
    “Ah,” he moved towards her and captured one of her trembling hands in his, drawing her closer to the center of the room. “I hadn’t realized, Virginia. Allow me to explain; this is going to be a very thorough inspection. We need to make sure you’re in good health, most especially free of respiratory disorders that might be passed on to the children or to Mrs. Hayes, and that there are no signs of any…deviancy.”
    Dr. Talbot’s expression was understanding and kind, but the very idea was still so ridiculous to Virginia. Unsure of what to do, she struggled for the words to voice her objections without insulting her aunt’s longtime friend. Something in the way he looked at her, an anticipatory heat she felt in his stare, made her uneasy. She glanced towards Julia but the woman was only watching impassively.
    “Perhaps my aunt—I mean, perhaps we should ask her…”
    He drew back abruptly, his features instantly more remote.
    “Of course. We can summon your aunt directly.”
    Slowly, he folded his stethoscope and laid it neatly on the desktop. “I imagine Mr. Hayes will be surprised,” he added, almost to himself.
    “Mr. Hayes?” Virginia’s mind immediately went back to the man in the hallway, and the appraising way he had looked at her.
    “Well,” Dr. Talbot answered, “he might be surprised when he learns that the young woman meant to take charge of his children is unable to weather a simple medical examination without the presence of her own guardian.”
    Virginia hadn’t thought of that; actually the idea of of Mr. Hayes thinking about her hadn’t occurred at all, but she found it thrilling. She wanted him to hear good things about her, and like her. Most of all she wanted the chance to meet him again and feel his eyes on her longer. She looked up at Dr. Talbot but he was already signaling towards Julia.
    “No!” she exclaimed quickly.
    He turned his eyes back to her, eyebrows raised, and she blushed at her unintentional vehemence.
    “There’s no need Dr. Talbot,” she said more calmly.
    He smiled slightly and nodded his head at her and she felt relieved by the flash of admiration she saw in his look.
    “Perhaps you are more of an adult than I had realized.”
    Proud of his assessment she stood taller when Julia approached again to unfasten her dress. Her heart still pounded but she steeled her