Not wanting to distract the doctor from listening to her grandmother’s heart, she waited before voicing the questions twisting in her mind.
The doctor nodded to himself, then leaned over to open the large black bag beside him. Placing the listening instrument back within the bag, he placed his hands on her grandmother’s palms, then forehead, silently listening to her rhythmic inhale and exhale.
“Has she woken up since you’ve been in here?” the doctor asked.
Catherine nodded. “Yes, she was talking a moment ago.”
“What did she say?” he inquired, his focus on her grandmother as he continued to study her.
“One thing I found odd was that she struggled to focus on me, and when she did, she said it was strange, but there were two of me,” Catherine explained, her heart pounding harder as the doctor paused his study of her grandmother and met her gaze with a frank one of his own.
“Two, as in she was seeing double, my lady?” he questioned.
“That’s what it sounded like,” Catherine clarified.
He gave a solid nod and then stepped back from the bed. “May I have a private word with you, Lady Catherine?”
For the first time, Catherine noted the several servants and Brooks who were hovering by the door, clearly concerned. Two maids curtsied and left. Brooks gave a curt nod and ushered the rest from the door and closed it with a soft click.
Catherine turned to the doctor, as she mentally prepared for whatever news the man was about to give; she was certain it wasn’t the kind she’d wish to hear.
“Lady Catherine, it would seem your grandmother suffered a stroke. I’m not sure the extent of the damage or injury, but time will tell. Let her rest, and I’ll come back in the afternoon. There isn’t much I can do at the moment. We simply need to wait.”
“Wait?” Catherine repeated. “You can do nothing?”
“If I do the wrong thing, it could make her worse,” the doctor said softly, sympathetically. “The fact that she is seeing double means her vision is affected, and we aren’t sure what that means. But I would spend time with her, and if she becomes conscious, perhaps say your goodbyes, because usually with the kind of stroke that affects vision, there is less chance of recovery. I’m sorry.” He nodded, then reached for his bag. As he walked toward the door, he turned back. “I’ll return around four.”
Catherine watched his departure wordlessly, hopelessness filling her.
As she turned back to her grandmother’s sleeping form, loneliness crept around her like a fog, closing in, threatening to devour her.
Hadn’t she lost enough already?
Now her grandmother too?
How much was too much before it broke her?
And what would happen if it did?
Turning back, her entire being was attuned to the small form of her grandmother beneath the bedclothes. The rise and fall of her chest gave Catherine a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t enough to overwhelm the anxiety that coursed through her.
“Whatever am I going to do if something happens to you?” Catherine murmured softly, a warm tear spilling down her cheek. Nearing her grandmother’s sleeping form, she placed her hand upon the weathered one, squeezing tenderly. Why was it that life only seemed short when one was facing the finality of it? But no, she wouldn’t dwell on such thoughts.
“Fight, Grammy. Don’t get this get the better of you. Sleep and fight,” she said, her own resolve willing the words over to her grandmother.
A knock sounded at the door. “Yes?” Catherine turned to the opening door.
“Pardon, my lady.” Brooks stepped into the room softly. “But I or any one of the servants are happy to sit with Lady Greatheart while you dress. We will be sure to notify you if there is any change.”
Catherine frowned, then looked down at her attire, realizing she still wore her dressing robe over her nightrail. Nodding, she gave Brooks a grateful look. “Thank you, but instead please send Millard in with my things, and I’ll change in here. I don’t want to leave my grandmother.”
Brooks nodded and disappeared through the door, closing it softly.
Catherine turned back to her grandmother, memorizing every line of her face and the posture of her body, just to ensure that if there were any change, she’d notice it readily. Four in the afternoon seemed an eternity away, and much could happen. But one thing was certain.
Whatever happened, her grandmother wouldn’t face it alone.
Catherine would see to that.