Chapter Summary: Christine confronts the doctors about their treatment of her husband, making radical changes in how they will care for Raoul. The emotional distress causes a bit of an anxious moment for Christine and her child. She reaches out to Raoul's sisters who are reaching for her. And Raoul receives some visitors and some happy news.
Author's Note: Many thanks to the folks over at the LiveJournal community "little details" who guided me on how Raoul's injuries would have healed over his time in captivity, the fact that homeopathy was "in vogue" during the last part of the 19th century and all their valuable clues as to what natural items treat what symptoms. Did you know that willow bark contains the same ingredient as aspirin? That community is a valuable resource for any writer who needs just a bit more wisdom to add to their own research.
CHAPTER SIXTY TWO
Christine sat in the dining room at the small table normally reserved for family meals. She dipped her spoon listlessly in and out of the porridge before her. In a complete break with all etiquette she had ever learned, Christine had her elbow on the table, her head resting in her hand and she was staring at the soupy mixture before her. She stirred her spoon back and forth, tracing patterns in the oatmeal; unaware of the people seated with her.
"Christine?" Meg tried and upon receiving no answer turned her attention to her husband.
Val nodded at his wife and turned his attention toward Christine. "Christine, you really should eat," he said. "You are not doing yourself or your child," Val played his trump card, "or Raoul any good if you become weak from lack of food."
Christine frowned at her bowl. "I did not like porridge when I had to eat it as a child. I did not like it when I was ordered to eat it by the doctor in Boulogne." She raised her head, a sad look on her face. "And I do not like it now." She sighed and placed her spoon on the table. "I cannot do this," she said, raising her eyes to the ceiling. "I should be up there with Raoul; he needs me." Christine's eyes looked down as a hand covered hers.
"What you need to do is stay healthy," Meg said. "I know that this child is going to make all the difference in the world for you and for Raoul. You cannot risk anything happening now." A frown momentarily crossed her face. "Not now."
"I know," Christine nodded. "I know." Her chin quivered as she tried to control her emotions. "But, Meg, you should see him. He has been so … so … I cannot believe what they did to him!" Christine turned to look at Val. "I do not understand why anyone would be so cruel! How could they let us think he was dead? How could they do those things to him? Why? Why?"
Val shook his head. "I wish I had answers. I cannot even begin to comprehend the minds and motivations of such men. I understand that cruelty happens in war and I understand that it is a constant part of our world outside of battle. Yet – this! – I just … I do not understand and I do not think I ever will."
Christine watched as Meg took her hand back to lay it over her husband and they exchanged a meaningful look. "What is it?" Christine wondered watching as Val nodded at his wife. "Please," she pleaded, "I do not think I can take anymore shocks for - at least - the rest of my life."
"It is happy news," Val said softly as he turned to his wife.
Meg was glowing. "Christine, do you remember that silly little dream we had long ago that when we were married and had children that they would be the best of friends – just like we are."
Christine smiled. "I do remember!" She sighed. "Oh, those were carefree days!"
"It is not a dream," Meg said.
Christine's mouth opened and closed several times. "Meg!" she exclaimed and leaned over to gather Meg into her arms. "I cannot even believe it! I am so happy for you!" Christine drew back to smile at Val. "For you both!" She reached up to wipe at the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. "Oh, this is such joyous news! You are going to be such wonderful parents!" She watched as Val took his wife's hand and smiled at Meg.
"We are very happy, as well," he said, raising Meg's hand to his lips. "Very happy, indeed."
"I know your baby is expected in January," Meg said, "and our baby is expected sometime in May." She thought for a moment. "I think." And then Meg laughed. "This is all so new to me!"
"Do not look to me!" Christine said. "It is all still new to me, as well!" A smile began to grow on her face. "We should go upstairs and tell Raoul. I know he is anxious to see you both and more happy news will surely help his spirits."
Meg and Christine waited until Val had risen and drew back their chairs. Val tried giving his hands to Christine but she waved him off with a little smile and awkwardly got to her feet.
"All the grace of a dancer is gone," she sighed, watching the expression change on Meg's face.
"Oh dear," Meg breathed.
Val gave his wife a quick peck on the cheek. "There is nothing for you to fret over," he tried assuring her.
"Absolutely nothing," Christine finished as she slipped her arm through Meg's and they walked out the door, Val following.
They walked toward the front of the chateau, ignoring the quiet chatter that reached their ears. As they turned to go up the grand staircase, the young valet at the front door rose to his feet.
"Pardon me, Vicomtess," he said and Christine turned to him.
"Yes?" she wondered.
"I was told to let you know that the doctors have arrived and are with Monsieur," he said
Christine nodded to the young man, giving him a small smile that caused him to blush before turning back to Meg and Val. "I should be there," she said. "I need to know just how bad Raoul's injuries are."
"I hope you do not mind if we know, as well," Meg said. "I know that Maman is worried for him and I should like to telegraph her and let her know his condition."
"I think that is another of the things that will help to lift Raoul's spirits," Christine told Meg as they began to climb the staircase. "I do not think he has any idea of all the people who will surely be sending prayers and good wishes his way once they knew he is still alive."
"I am sure they will be," Val replied and nodded toward the small gathering of people pacing impatiently at the end of the hall. "That is Raoul's room?"
Christine bit back the laugh that rose to her lips. "How could you possibly tell?" she wondered.
"My dear," Charlotte said as she saw Christine approaching.
Christine managed a smile for her husband's sister. Surely if Charlotte could make the effort, so could she.
"Did the valet tell you that the doctors are in with Raoul?" she asked.
Before Christine could answer, Raoul's voice could be heard yelling through the door. "No more!" Raoul pleaded with someone. "No more!"
Christine rushed to the door, flinging it open. She barely saw Philippe standing at the end of Raoul's bed or Henri who sat by his cousin's side, a comforting hand on Raoul's shoulder. All Christine could see was Raoul and the state of panic he appeared to be in. She moved quickly to her husband's side, pushing past the bodies blocking her way. "Raoul?" she asked as he reached for her hands.
"No more pain, Christine," Raoul told her. "I cannot take any more pain!" Raoul closed his eyes. "Dear God," he whispered, "please – no more!"
"You will not have to," Christine told him, letting go of one of Raoul's shaking hands as she turned to face the four men before her. She nodded at Senor Gallardo but did not recognize the other three. "What are you doing to my husband?"
"These are the doctors, Christine," Philippe quickly interjected, shocked at the tone of Christine's voice. "They are trying to treat Raoul."
"Treat him?" Christine asked, her eyes never leaving the doctors. "It appears to me that they are trying to kill him." Christine watched as the young doctor next to Senor Gallardo turned his head away.
"Madame Vicomtess?" one of the older gentlemen cleared his throat.
"That is correct," Christine told him. "You have me at a disadvantage, Monsieur."
The man bowed slightly from the waist. "I am Monsieur Poirier." He waved to the man next to him. "This is Monsieur Saint-Preux," and he nodded to the young man next to Senor Gallardo. "And that is Monsieur Corhei."
"Now that the pleasantries are over," Christine said, a grim look on her face, "I believe I asked you what you were doing to my husband?"
"We need to remove his bandages and treat the inflammation of his wounds," Monsieur Saint-Preux replied. "It is a simple procedure and has not usually provoked such a reaction from our patient."
Christine gently squeezed the hand she felt squeezing her own.
"Christine," Philippe said and Christine turned to look at him. "Raoul has been improving greatly since we brought him home but during those first days, he was heavily drugged." Philippe frowned and seemed to be thinking. "Perhaps, that is why he did not realize when the doctors were here."
"Christine," came the raspy request for attention and Christine turned to look at her husband, leaning forward so that Raoul could speak only to her. "No more drugs. No more iodine." Raoul looked as if he wanted to cry. "No more pain, please!"
"I promise," Christine whispered and placed a gentle kiss on Raoul's lips, raising her head and giving Henri a small smile as he took his cousin's hand in his free one. "Thank you," she mouthed before turning back to the doctors. "I want everyone in the hallway," she stated.
"Madame," Monsieur Poirier began, "I do not think you realize what it is you are doing. The patient needs to be treated."
"The patient – as you refer to him – is my husband," Christine told the doctor, her tone deadly, her little nose going up in the air. "And I am not an ignorant girl who is frightened of a man with graying hair." There was a cold silence in the room. "Now, are we going to stand here accomplishing nothing or shall we all step into the hallway?"
The doctors pointedly ignored Christine and turned their attention to Philippe – who was all ready moving toward the open door. Christine watched as the doctors followed in Philippe's wake before turning her attention back to Raoul and Henri.
"Will you stay with him?" she asked Henri.
"Gladly," Henri replied softly, giving his cousin's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Christine turned her attention to Raoul. "I will be but a few moments," she promised, giving Raoul one last kiss before straightening, turning on her heel and walking out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Christine kept her back to the door to her husband's room, guarding the room and the precious life inside with the fierceness of a warrior. "One last time," Christine said as she addressed the rather stunned doctors. "What are you trying to do to my husband?"
"Madame," Monsieur Poirier addressed her, "pray forgive my bluntness but in your condition, you should not even be in that room. You are endangering your child by exposing yourself to whatever it is that has caused the inflammation of your husband's most recent wounds."
The breath of an angel could have been heard in the silence that descended upon the group gathered outside of Raoul's bedroom.
"Understand this," Christine spat, "I have spent these last five months believing that my husband was dead. I had not even told him I was carrying our child before we thought him lost to us forever. And you will never know the guilt I bear for what he has had to endure." A look of hatred descended upon Christine's face. "So do not presume to tell me that I am endangering myself or our child by simply being in the same room with the man that I love." She glowered at everyone staring at her. "Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
Monsieur Poirier swallowed. "Perfectly, Madame."
"Now that we are clear on that point," Christine said, "let us be perfectly clear on the other point – you will immediately stop your treatment of my husband."
"What?" Desiree blurted out.
"Surely, Christine," Charlotte tried, holding out her hands.
Monsieur Saint-Preux drew himself up. "We are physicians and we have taken an oath to treat those who need our assistance."
"Treat," Christine told him, "not traumatize! I am thankful for what you have done to bring my husband this far but whatever it is you are doing now is terrifying him. It is obvious that Raoul has been through more in these past months than any of us can even begin to comprehend. And that terror – his fear - stops here and it stops now."
Monsieur Poirier turned his attention toward Philippe. "Monsieur le Comte, surely you do not agree with such action."
"I am still Raoul's wife, yes?" Christine wanted to know, her eyes never looking at Philippe.
"Yes," Philippe answered her.
"And does that not mean that I am responsible for making decisions regarding his care?" From the corner of her eye, Christine could see Philippe cross his arms over his chest.
"I believe that it does," Philippe replied.
"Monsieur le Comte," Monsieur Poirier tried again.
"You will address me!" Christine ordered, waiting until all eyes had returned to her. "I am not saying that you should stop treating my husband but just try something different, something less harsh." Christine drew a deep breath to steady the nerves no one could see. "I want my husband to recover. I want him to be here when his child is born. I want him to hold this baby in his arms." The frown returned to her face. "And if you continue to upset him, I fear that shall never happen!"
"What would you have us do, Madame?" Monsieur Saint-Preux asked.
Christine looked at Senor Gallardo and Monsieur Corhei who had pointedly remained distant from the discussion. "Do either of you have anything to say?" Christine watched as the two men exchanged a look, Monsieur Corhei clearing his throat and stepping forward. "Well?" Christine demanded rather impatiently.
"There is a new – rather - an old treatment that many physicians of my acquaintance have been using to some advantage." Monsieur Corhei drew a breath. "It is called homeopathy."
Monsieur Poirier snorted. "Herbs and flowers."
Senor Gallardo stepped to Monsieur Corhei's side. "It is something that I, too, derided when I first came here under the Vicomte's father's patronage all those long years ago. But it is something I have grown to respect. There are things in nature that hold great healing power. I have used some of them with amazing results."
"A tea made from willow bark is known to relieve pain," Monsieur Corhei told Christine, his eyes glowing with passion and knowledge. "Lavender will relieve your husband's anxiety. Foxglove – administered correctly – can increase his weakened heartbeat. Wild cherry bark will help to relieve the pain and congestion in his lungs. Wet tobacco leaves can be used to speed the healing of bruises. Marigold can be used to treat inflammation both internally and externally. And honey has been used to treat illness for centuries."
Christine studied the young man and turned to Senor Gallardo. "I know you and I trust you. You have been treating my husband since he was a babe. What is your opinion?"
Senor Gallardo did not hesitate. "I think the natural remedies should be tried for the space of two weeks." He held up his hand at the protests that seemed to be starting. "And if after that period, there is no improvement, then we can go back to the more scientific treatment methods. Or should we see a marked decline in the Vicomte's health, we will immediately return to the other treatments."
Christine nodded her head. "That is perfectly acceptable."
The two older physicians exchanged grim looks before turning to Philippe.
Philippe was having none of it. "I am deferring to my brother's wife," he told them, his tone stating that this was an end to things.
Monsieur Poirier turned back to look at Christine. "As you wish, Madame," he said in a icily polite tone. "With the understanding that the moment there is a marked decline in your husband's health, you defer to us."
Christine softened visibly. "Thank you." She turned to Philippe. "Will you explain this to Raoul and tell him I will be a few moments?" And Christine turned to Senor Gallardo, her hand reaching out to grasp – talon-like – to Meg's arm. "May I have a moment of your time?" she asked.
"But, of course," Senor Gallardo nodded.
"Are you all right?" Desiree wondered.
"I just need a moment of Senor Gallardo's time," Christine said and managed a small smile. "There is nothing wrong." Christine waited until Philippe had gone back to his brother, giving her a reassuring touch on the arm as he moved past. Christine did not meet the eyes of the other doctors as they walked back into Raoul's room but kept a tight grip on Meg's arm. She walked past Raoul's sisters and Val and into the room opposite from Raoul's. As she heard the click of the door behind Senor Gallardo, Christine finally let out a low moan and reached for her side. "God, it hurts," she breathed as she bent over.
"Help me get her to the bed!" Senor Gallardo ordered Meg as he quickly crossed to Christine's side, taking her other arm. He and Meg guided Christine to the bed and got her into a sitting position. Meg sat next to her, never letting go of Christine's hand.
"Is there the possibility that you are in early labor?" Senor Gallardo wanted to know.
The color drained completely from Christine's face. "I cannot be!" she said. "It is far too early." She turned to Meg. "It is far too early! It is just a stitch. I have been having them for months. It is just a stitch!"
Senor Gallardo turned his attention to Meg. "Would you please stay while I examine Madame?"
Meg nodded. "Of course," she replied and looked back at Christine. "I am right here and I will not leave you."
"I cannot be in labor," Christine said, frightened tears beginning to stream down her cheeks. "I cannot be."
"Why do you not let the doctor tell us what is wrong?" Meg said as she hugged Christine before drawing back. "Let me help you get comfortable."
Fifteen minutes later, Christine watched as Senor Gallardo rinsed his hands in the pitcher and basin that sat atop the dresser. She fumbled with petticoats and the silk of her gown, grateful for the arm that Meg wrapped around her shoulders.
"Well?" Christine asked, her eyes wide and frightened.
Senor Gallardo finally turned around. "You have not noticed any change in the pattern of your child's activity?"
"None," Christine assured him. "She is active for periods of time and grows quiet before becoming active again. That is normal, yes?"
Senor Gallardo walked to the bottom of the bed and smiled at the two women seated upon it. "It is perfectly normal. And you have not had any of the cramping and discomfort you experienced earlier?" Christine had told him of nearly losing her child.
"None," Christine replied. She turned to Meg for reassurance and received a small smile in return. "I am not in labor, am I?" Christine wondered, her tone worried and apprehensive.
"No," came the one word reply.
"Thank God," Meg breathed, hugging Christine warmly.
"Than what is happening to me?" Christine asked.
"You said you experience this pain in your side whenever you are under duress of some type, yes?" Christine nodded to Senor Gallardo's question. "I believe it is just your body reacting to the emotion of the moment." The old physician grinned. "And that was certainly a moment we just witnessed."
Christine swallowed back her relieved tears and just nodded.
"Is there anything she should be doing?" Meg wondered.
"I would prefer to not have any expectant mother under any kind of emotional distress," Senor Gallardo replied with a smile. "But that is a wish I do not believe any physician will ever see fulfilled." And he grew serious as he addressed Christine. "I would like you to avoid as much of the emotional distress you are currently under as possible." He held up a hand. "I know that is asking much but you must try. And I would like it if you were to set aside some time each day to just rest. I would like that time to be where you do nothing but read a book or nap and put your feet up."
"I will do as you ask," Christine nodded. "You are not going to order me from my husband's bedside?"
"I am not such a great fool!" Senor Gallardo laughed and then said gently, "I think, perhaps, you are wishing to return there, yes?"
"Yes," Christine replied and she let Meg help her to her feet and turned to look at Senor Gallardo who was holding the door open for them. "You will come back tomorrow with Monsieur Corhei?"
"I shall be here," Senor Gallardo assured her.
Christine saw anxious faces looking at her as she and Meg exited the bedroom. "I am fine," Christine assured them. "I promise. I am just tired and worried and…"
Desiree stepped forward and placed a hesitant hand on Christine's arm. "You are very brave," she said softly. "I do not think I would have ever been able to stand up to those physicians in such a manner. Thank you. Thank you for protecting my brother."
"I would give my life for your brother," Christine told her sister-in-law.
"I know," Desiree acknowledged.
"The physicians have all gone," Charlotte said and managed a small giggle. "They left grumbling amongst themselves; it was rather amusing!" She grew solemn. "Monsieur Corhei was going to wait for Senor Gallardo. I know you did the right thing, Christine."
"Thank you," Christine said and turned to see Val at his wife's side. "Would you like to see Raoul if he is awake?"
Val and Meg both nodded.
"We'll see to luncheon," Desiree said and she and Charlotte disappeared down the hallway.
Christine took her arm back from Meg and opened the door to Raoul's room. She saw Henri still sitting by Raoul's side, Philippe at Henri's elbow. She smiled as Raoul turned toward the sound of the opening door.
"Christine," Raoul breathed, reaching for her.
Christine was at his side in a moment, taking his hands, sitting down on the bed next to him.
"Thank you," Raoul said.
"You are welcome," Christine smiled back. "You know I would do anything in this world to keep you safe and make you happy."
Raoul closed his eyes and nodded.
"Do you feel up to visitors and happy news?" Christine wondered.
Raoul's eyes opened again. "Visitors?"
Christine turned toward the door and waved Val and Meg into the room, her heart beating a bit faster as she saw the look of amazement and pleasure on Raoul's face.
"We should leave," Christine heard Philippe say as he turned his attention to Henri.
"No, please," Val insisted, his hand reaching for Meg's. "I do not wish to draw you from your brother's side and what we have to say is something that must be shared."
Meg placed her hand on Christine's shoulder and smiled at Raoul, hiding her dismay at his haggard appearance. "You and Christine are not the only ones who are looking forward to welcoming a new family member," she said, reaching out to lightly touch Raoul's bandaged hand.
Raoul looked at Meg and turned his attention to Val.
"We are expecting a child of our own," Val told him.
"More babies," Raoul breathed, a smile on his face, his eyes closing, his hand reaching for his own child. "Perhaps, it will be all right."
Christine guided her husband's hand until it rested over their child's movement. She could feel as Raoul's fingers responded to each motion beneath them. "It will be all right," she said. "It has to be," she whispered.