“Let us sit,” Sophie said.
The doctor addressed Sophie. “Lord Trowbridge has told me what he knows about your discomfort with your knee. I cannot say for certain, until I examine it, but it is possible that I have some simple massages and stretches that may relieve the joint pain significantly. Particularly if continued over a period of time. They are methods you could manage yourself.”
Sophie did not want to get her hopes up, but the desire to be free of pain was a deep one. “I have consulted doctors in the past,” she said.
“Have you been to see anyone in Harley Street?”
“No. I have lived in the country all my life.”
“Some of us in Harley Street have had the benefit of further education and study than our country brethren. I have been so lucky. Will you allow me to examine you privately? The marchioness will of course be asked to be present.”
Sophie swallowed and looked at Fanny. Her sister said, “We have nothing to lose, my love. Let us go upstairs to my dressing room.”
Throwing a glance of trepidation at Frank, who was unusually solemn, Sophie rose and bade the doctor to follow her and Fanny. They climbed to the second floor, a process which Sophie managed with her usual lack of grace.
When they arrived in Fanny’s dressing room, the little man instructed Sophie to lie on the daybed. Using delicate fingers, he felt her knee and the muscles surrounding it. “Yes, Miss Edwards, I think you are going to prove an excellent candidate for what I have in mind. It helps that you have been as active as possible. The muscles are strong.” Taking her hand, he helped her to sit.
“Now, I am going to ask you to lift your gown to your thigh. You may leave your shift to cover your limb.”
With some embarrassment, Sophie accomplished this. The doctor instructed her how to place her hands, one over the other on top of her thigh above her knee. Then he instructed her how to press one hand against the other, bringing pressure against the muscles of her thigh.
At first it was quite painful, but he instructed her to continue. After perhaps ten minutes, she could feel the tight muscles start to loosen. Her arms and shoulders were very tired and she was perspiring. “I think I can feel a change,” she said.
“Yes,” the doctor said. “As your arms and hands become stronger, and your thigh muscles more malleable, the change will be greater.”
He then demonstrated several stretches. “These will help, as well. However, you will need to do them without your trappings. I have taken the liberty of sketching the positions for you.” He took a paper from his inside pocket on which Sophie could see a number of drawings.
Fanny said, “Did that really help, Sophie?”
“I can see that it is beginning to. I am cautiously hopeful.”
“After perhaps three months of this treatment, you should be able to walk without pain, Miss Edwards. But you must be consistent.”
“Do you think I will ever be able to dance?” she asked.
“It is certainly possible.”
“And horseback ride?”
“On a sidesaddle, most assuredly.”
Sophie stood and clasped her hands to her breast, flushing with pleasure. “Oh, doctor, I will be very diligent. You have no idea what this means to me!”
The little man beamed. “I have seen some miracles occur from this simple treatment. I am quite confident it will help in your case.”
“You must send us your bill, Doctor,” Fanny said. “We are profoundly grateful for your expertise.”
When they rejoined Frank, he looked a question at Sophie. Losing all her reserve, she said, “Thank you so much for thinking of Dr. Shelton, Frank! Just think, if I am diligent in my exercises, he says one day, I may dance! And ride a horse!”
Frank grinned and advanced to take her hands in his and said, “If this prospect gives you pleasure, I am glad. I thought merely to relieve your pain.” The look in his eyes was soft as he gazed into her face.
“You are very good, Frank. This was exceedingly thoughtful.”
Fanny invited both men for luncheon; however, they declined. Dr. Shelton had to return to his office.
He left her with a parting bit of advice. “Do not overdo in your anxiety to get well, Miss Edwards. Once a day. Only once a day.”
~~*
When Frank and the doctor had gone, Sophie was both elated and confused. Never had she believed there was a chance for her to live a physically normal life.
“Fanny,” she said. “I feel like I have just been granted an impossible wish!”
“You must be thrilled,” Fanny said as she hugged her. “But remember what the doctor said. No overdoing. This will require patience.”
“I do not know whether I am happier that I may lose my limp, or that Frank would be so insightful and put himself to so much trouble.”