Read Online The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Robin Bridges
Ads: Link
many poor women and children in the city that need medical care.”
“I hope the other doctors at the hospital will not make your work difficult,” I said. Secretly, I worried if Papa could do anything about it if they did.
Dr. Bokova shook her head. “That is neither here nor there. There are always trials and struggles.” She actually smiled a little, the lines around her eyes softening. “It builds character, you see.”
I smiled back, hoping that she might be warming toward me. But as she glanced back at the unfinished cathedral, now fast disappearing from our view, my apprehension returned. “Those men out there,” I asked warily, “you said you saw others with the same symptoms in St. Petersburg?”
“Yes. And before that, in Paris.” She looked back at me and started to stand up. “I am sorry, Your Highness, but I should return to my research.”
“In Paris? Can you tell me when this was?”
“Last month,” she said, nodding. “Do not be alarmed, Your Highness. I don’t feel this mysterious disease is contagious, whatever it is. But I do hope to continue my research when we reach St. Petersburg. Rest assured it will not interfere with my duties at the hospital.”
“Of course.”
Dr. Bokova smiled again, stiffly. “Best of luck to you with your studies, Duchess. Are you headed for Zurich now?”
“Unfortunately, no. My parents wish for me to delay my studies one more year and continue at the Smolny Institute this fall.”
Her smile grew warmer. “Do not be impatient. Perhaps the tsar and his ministers will reopen the women’s courses at the Medical and Surgical Academy in St. Petersburg.”
“That would be wonderful, but my father has his doubts.” I stood up, realizing the sun was coming up and my mother might be awake and wondering where I’d gone. “It has been such an honor to meet you. Please don’t let me keep you from your research.”
“Thank you, Duchess.” With a curtsy she returned to her table and her book. And I returned to the Oldenburg car.
Maman was just beginning to stir. She fussed as she climbed out of her berth. “Good heavens, you’re awake early, Katiya. And that sun is so bright. Do draw the curtains for me, dear.”
I had wanted to go back to sleep after my strange dream. However, if I had not gotten up and visited the dining car, I would not have met Dr. Bokova. I realized how fortunate I was to have had that nightmare.
After closing the curtains, I turned around to kiss my mother on the cheek. “Good morning, Maman.”
“
Mon Dieu
, are we in Kharkov yet? By this time tomorrow, we should be almost home. I shall be so happy to see St. Petersburg again.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “And I’m truly glad you will not be going to Zurich this fall.”
I smiled back at her, choking on the bitter taste in my mouth. I still intended to go to medical school. One day.
CHAPTER TEN
T wo weeks later, I discovered my grand duke had been true to his word. As my parents’ black carriage pulled inside the courtyard of the Smolny Institute for Young Noble Maidens, I saw several members of the Order of St. Lazarus standing stiffly at their posts at the front gates. Waxy and expressionless, they stared straight ahead and did not move. They wore the same dark-green and gold uniform as the Order of St. John, except for the medals on their chests. The familiar Maltese cross had been replaced by an oval medal showing a green hand holding a sword. Curious. I couldn’t remember St. Lazarus using a sword. Or having a green hand, for that matter. But the members of the undead order did have a sort of greenish tinge to their pale skin.
Maman did not even notice them. I could not decide whether their presence made me feel safer.
Thankfully, I was able to persuade my mother not toaccompany me inside the building. “Do take care of yourself, Katiya,” she said, squeezing my hands in hers as we stood at the front door. “And give my regards to Madame
“I hope the other doctors at the hospital will not make your work difficult,” I said. Secretly, I worried if Papa could do anything about it if they did.
Dr. Bokova shook her head. “That is neither here nor there. There are always trials and struggles.” She actually smiled a little, the lines around her eyes softening. “It builds character, you see.”
I smiled back, hoping that she might be warming toward me. But as she glanced back at the unfinished cathedral, now fast disappearing from our view, my apprehension returned. “Those men out there,” I asked warily, “you said you saw others with the same symptoms in St. Petersburg?”
“Yes. And before that, in Paris.” She looked back at me and started to stand up. “I am sorry, Your Highness, but I should return to my research.”
“In Paris? Can you tell me when this was?”
“Last month,” she said, nodding. “Do not be alarmed, Your Highness. I don’t feel this mysterious disease is contagious, whatever it is. But I do hope to continue my research when we reach St. Petersburg. Rest assured it will not interfere with my duties at the hospital.”
“Of course.”
Dr. Bokova smiled again, stiffly. “Best of luck to you with your studies, Duchess. Are you headed for Zurich now?”
“Unfortunately, no. My parents wish for me to delay my studies one more year and continue at the Smolny Institute this fall.”
Her smile grew warmer. “Do not be impatient. Perhaps the tsar and his ministers will reopen the women’s courses at the Medical and Surgical Academy in St. Petersburg.”
“That would be wonderful, but my father has his doubts.” I stood up, realizing the sun was coming up and my mother might be awake and wondering where I’d gone. “It has been such an honor to meet you. Please don’t let me keep you from your research.”
“Thank you, Duchess.” With a curtsy she returned to her table and her book. And I returned to the Oldenburg car.
Maman was just beginning to stir. She fussed as she climbed out of her berth. “Good heavens, you’re awake early, Katiya. And that sun is so bright. Do draw the curtains for me, dear.”
I had wanted to go back to sleep after my strange dream. However, if I had not gotten up and visited the dining car, I would not have met Dr. Bokova. I realized how fortunate I was to have had that nightmare.
After closing the curtains, I turned around to kiss my mother on the cheek. “Good morning, Maman.”
“
Mon Dieu
, are we in Kharkov yet? By this time tomorrow, we should be almost home. I shall be so happy to see St. Petersburg again.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “And I’m truly glad you will not be going to Zurich this fall.”
I smiled back at her, choking on the bitter taste in my mouth. I still intended to go to medical school. One day.
CHAPTER TEN
T wo weeks later, I discovered my grand duke had been true to his word. As my parents’ black carriage pulled inside the courtyard of the Smolny Institute for Young Noble Maidens, I saw several members of the Order of St. Lazarus standing stiffly at their posts at the front gates. Waxy and expressionless, they stared straight ahead and did not move. They wore the same dark-green and gold uniform as the Order of St. John, except for the medals on their chests. The familiar Maltese cross had been replaced by an oval medal showing a green hand holding a sword. Curious. I couldn’t remember St. Lazarus using a sword. Or having a green hand, for that matter. But the members of the undead order did have a sort of greenish tinge to their pale skin.
Maman did not even notice them. I could not decide whether their presence made me feel safer.
Thankfully, I was able to persuade my mother not toaccompany me inside the building. “Do take care of yourself, Katiya,” she said, squeezing my hands in hers as we stood at the front door. “And give my regards to Madame
Similar Books
