Dr Cullen bowed quickly and asked in his soft and melodic voice "Is this our young patient? What happened?" he asked kneeling beside the chaise and removing his leather riding gloves. Henry had the impression that the question was more so directed to Mr Peters than himself. He could feel the tense emotion radiating off each man. Neither spoke.

"My sister was feeling faint in the heat of the ballroom and I brought her outside for some air. I left her alone to gather herself, and then I was alerted by Mr Peters here to her having fallen down on her head" Henry reported in a stiff manner.

Dr Cullen shot a glance at Mr Peters who remained interested in the clock on the mantle. It was this motion of his head that caught Henry's attention. Dr Cullen's eyes were noticeably dark, almost black. His features although handsome looked tired. Perhaps it was the dim lit room, Libraries were never know for their superior lightening, and most doctors were so overworked that it would be no surprise for him to look so worn. Dr Cullen proceeded to press points on Cora's arm and feel the back of her neck. He was satisfied that she had not broken anything and voiced such. "She has not broken anything but there is a rather nasty bump on the back of her head. She has been asleep already for how long did you say?" he asked the room.

"About an hour or two now" Henry added. "Is she going to be alright Doctor Cullen?" he then asked hesitantly, walking around to the back of the chaise and absent mindedly stroked her hair.

"To be honest Mr Clarke, we won't know until she awakens, but her muscles respond in a positive way, that is at least a good sign" he smiled. And Henry could not but feel relief and trust in this man. If she wasn't careful he was sure if Cora woke now to this face he would not be surprised if she should transfer her affections in an instant. He almost laughed at the thought.

"If you two gentlemen would excuse us, I might take a little blood, just as a precaution" he added. He knew full well he was not going to let her blood. But to continue his masquerade he knew it was expected of most practitioners in these times and he wanted to try something as well. Henry did not blink at the suggestion, but Mr Peters seemed to resent the fact of being told what to do by a physician. Or maybe it was something else, Henry could not place the exact reason and did not want to fathom this mans thoughts.

"Come Mr Peters, we shall leave the good Doctor to his work" Henry bade Mr Peters to follow him.

"Shall you need a maid or an assistant to go with that?" Mr Peters remarked, raising his brow. The meaning of his words lost on Henry who was practically out the door.

"Mind your words Sir" Dr Cullen said slowly yet carefully. He heard the low rumble in Mr Peters chest and watched carefully and listened the same until he was sure not to be interrupted or heard.

He felt sorry for the girl. How was she to know what she was playing with? He leaned forward to her and spoke softly, letting his breath wash over her face "Cora Clarke, awaken" he said, holding her hand while his other hand provided him balance on the back of the chaise.

The effect was instantaneous. She opened her eyes and felt in danger of swooning again at the lovely feeling that filled her lungs and head. She finally looked properly at her surroundings and the man before her, now leaning backwards, while he still held her hand. A contradictory feeling, her head and chest felt warm but her hand felt ice cold. She looked puzzled and let go of his hand quickly and sat up, causing her head to feel light again and she fell again, but onto the softer furnishing of the pillow now supporting her. Dr Cullen chuckled to himself. "Come now my dear, Mortui Vivos Docent" he smiled.

"What is that supposed to mean? Let the dead teach the living?" she groaned. He was shocked for a moment.

"You speak latin?" he asked astonished.

Affronted that he thought she could not "I was taught at the best school sir, I.." she was cut off when he placed his hand over her mouth.

"You'll do yourself a harm. Please remain still and quiet. You had a rather nasty fall there Miss Clarke" he almost cooed at her.

She looked puzzled again as his hand was still cold "Why is your hand so cold sir?" she asked puzzled.

"I have been riding for a long while Miss Clarke, a rider without gloves and caught on the spare of the moment must suffer with cold hands. I apologise" he said softly. "Now would you please allow your eyes to follow my finger" he said holding it in front of her face.

Cora felt she would have thrown herself off a cliff had he asked, he was very charming and handsome. It made her remember the gentlemen in the blue coat and what got her into this mess and she thought she made a connection. But the eyes were wrong she mused. And she dismissed the thought quickly.

Satisfied that she was well enough, he told her strictly not to dance for the rest of the night but to return home and do as her brother bade her. And as an aside he warned her "Be careful who you make acquaintances with, a handsome face and a pretty speech can hide true intentions" he said cautiously.

This left Cora feeling even more dazed than when she first woke. She gave him a puzzled look and was spared more talking, which was frankly now making her tired, when her brother entered. His face beamed to see her awake and he rushed to her side "Cora! I'm glad your awake" and he turned to Dr Cullen "Thank you very much sir. I'm very grateful" he took his sisters hand and she smiled up to him.

Doctor Cullen bowed his head, his blonde hair falling slightly as he did and added "I barely did a thing; she awoke almost the moment you left the room. I simply made sure she did not take to faint again".

"Doctor Cullen wishes me to dance no more tonight and go home" she said in slight protest to Henry.

"I think he knows what he is about and you would do well to listen to him" Henry advised her. "I thank you again Sir and will heed you this instant. Cora can you stand?" he asked her. He didn't bother to wait for a reply and scooped her up in his arms. "No matter, we shall be quicker if I carry you" he chortled.

Doctor Cullen approached her. "Remember Miss Clarke, take care" he told her, raising his brow, making him a rival for Mr Peters looks now. Cora had to compose her thoughts and managed only a nod in ascent.

The doctors horse was made ready as was the carriage to relay the Clarke's home. Mrs Clarke was dragged away unwillingly and Alexandra stood talking to Cora until all was ready. The family seated, the Doctor mounted, the coachmen flicked the reigns and off they went down the gravel drive. Alexandra waved from the steps and Mr Peters watched in the shadows.