I'm startled by a knock at my drawing room door. Immediately I turn to check the clock and I'm shocked to see that nearly an hour has passed. "What is it, Alice?" I call out.
"The doctor has arrived, my lady."
He's early. Certainly better than the alternative. "Send him into the parlor, I'll receive him there." I feel my hands tremble in... anticipation? Fear? Excitement? I can't quite tell.
"Right away, my lady." Alice calls out, and I hear her trot away to invite the doctor in. I stand up, feel my knees shaking as well. My goodness this is no way for a Marchioness to hold herself I think to myself, but then my husband the is so distant, I can hardly consider myself married to him. What distinguishes me from being a mere baroness? I steady my breath and proceed to the parlor. I arrive before Alice and the doctor and sit down in an ornate red chair, waiting for them to arrive.
Shortly thereafter, Alice opens the door. "Doctor Thomas Maxwell, my lady." She steps aside, revealing a man carrying a small briefcase. He's a bit taller than I expected, with long, dark blond hair. He wears round glasses and a navy blue jacket. His eyes are such a brilliant blue color that it's almost all I can see, even from some 50 feet away.
"Good afternoon my lady, Doctor Thomas Maxwell at your service." His introduction shocks out of a slight stupor and I turn again to address him.
"Doctor Maxwell, I've summoned you on recommendation of the other noblewomen of this area. I understand you are able to treat... hysteria without use of the new electric devices, is that correct?" immediately I am embarrassed both for my inability to say hysteria and for my admitting it is the condition for which I have requested treatment.
"That is correct, my lady. Is it for this that you've summoned me?" His calm, matter-of-fact demeanor is at once comforting and off-putting. I feel a twinge of anger-- no, not anger, perhaps frustration, at him, as well as another feeling I cannot quite identify.
Quietly taking a deep breath, I respond. "That is correct, yes." As if by reflex, I uncross my legs. "What would this treatment entail?"
He responds again with the tantalizing-- no, irritating clinical dryness. "Well, my lady, as you are likely aware, the accepted treatment for hysteria is extended stimulation of the genitals, in order to induce a release of your excess feminine energy. Does this please my lady?" I feel myself sweating between my legs and so spread them apart further.
"If it will indeed treat my-- hysteria, then yes, I will allow it." Again with the pause before hysteria, I scold myself internally.
"Very good my lady." The doctor looks around the room. "If I may make such a request, might you move to the sofa over there? The arms of your current seat would impede my access."
Suddenly I am apprehensive, but I wish not to show it. "Of course, whatever you need, doctor." I stand up and feel my legs shaking, sweat dripping down my thighs. Curses! I've forgotten to wear undergarments. I suppose it matters not now, as they'd simply be removed anyway. Nevertheless, I am mortified. I walk over to the couch, my knees wobbling to and fro. Thank goodness my dress hides this fact. Upon sitting on the sofa, I'm suddenly acutely aware of the fact that I will be facing a large window, overlooking my husband's preferred golf course. I feel a quiet ball of rage at my neglectful husband build in my chest, but quickly quell it. Now is not the time.
Doctor Maxwell sits down in front of me, asks "My lady, if I may lift your dress."