Doctor Henry placed a small glass bottle upon the bedside table. The liquid inside shimmered amber beneath the sunlight.
"This stays within arm's reach."
Penelope eyed it with visible reluctance. There's no way she's going to take that.
"You will take it twice daily," he gave a pointed look that made her purse her lips in hesitation.
"And if I refuse?"
The old physician fixed her with a look that reminded her sharply why even London's most stubborn noblemen eventually obeyed him.
"Then I shall personally inform Lady Sophia every single time,"
To her surprise, a weak laugh escaped her, the first genuine one in weeks, though ripe with sarcasm. Her mother? She thought. After everything that had happened, Penelope doubted her health was anything of concern.
Doctor Henry's mouth twitched faintly. "There you are,"
The smile disappeared almost immediately. Yet for a moment something warm entered the room. Something human. Perhaps, something normal.
