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.The stitches won't be in danger of becoming ingrown for days yet."Sapphire nodded."I'm being honest with you.Do you think I'm such an idiot as to lie to my doctor?""It's been done," Doc said mildly."However, my inspection agrees with your statements.The wound is clean of infectionand knitting nicely.I can clip out the stitches and report to King Tedric that I think you're ready for action indoor action, noriding or sailing or such for several days yet.You've lost lots of blood and your body will have robbed muscle to rebuild it."From his bed Shad asked, "And me, Doctor?"Sir Jared grinned."I would have given you a clean bill of health several days ago, but I'm not your doctor, nor did I care tochallenge Lord Rory.I thought my patient would heal better in congenial company."Prince Shad looked momentarily angry; then he had the good grace to laugh."Will you pass on your recommendations, Sir Jared? I'm certain that Lord Rory can be made to think that they're his own ifmy mother goes to work on him.""Very well, Prince Shad.I'll do my best."Doc turned to Elise."Would you assist me in freeing your cousin, Lady Elise?"Elise longed to say something witty, something like, "If a bold knight like you needs a mere maiden's aid, then gladly, sir,"but cleverness escaped her."I'd be happy to," she said, and fancied that she sounded stiff and formal.But as always all awkwardness vanished once they were at work.Elise handed Doc scissors and tweezers, holdingeverything steady when Sapphire who predictably refused anything to dull the slight pain of the removal jumped at thetugging.Sir Jared distracted his patient by telling a funny story; then Shad leapt in with a sea tale about two men in a small sailboatwith an overactive boom.The punch line was predictable, but set them all laughing nonetheless.Sapphire inspected the healing incision with the help of a small hand mirror.Then she said in the tones of someone who istrying out a plan for the first time,"Elise, what do you think King Tedric would do if I asked him to make Sir Jared Hawk Haven's Royal Physician? I'vebeen thinking that if we did that and if we acted as if the title had been in place just that no one had thought to mention it toLord Rory that would smooth out these matters of precedence rather nicely.""Isn't there already a person who holds that post?" Elise asked."I'm certain I've met him.""There is," Sir Jared said."It's a job, not a title, and the man who holds it is very good.He's probably responsible for KingTedric and Queen Elexa being as healthy as they are.The only reason he isn't on this trip is that he strained a shoulder in ariding accident shortly before their departure and agreed to stay behind because he could ask me to take over for him.""I see," Sapphire said thoughtfully."Let me think a moment."After slightly more than a moment she said, "Still, there should be something we can do.Let me write a note to KingTedric explaining Doc's difficulty.""I really don't have any difficulties with Lord Rory," Jared protested."I simply avoid him when possible and humor himwhen necessary." Sapphire looked annoyed."You shouldn't need to," she said bluntly, "not with your talent and your training.Elise, could you reach me writingmaterials?"Elise did so, aware of her own mixed emotions on the matter.On the one hand, she agreed with Doc that he could dealwith Lord Rory, title or not.On the other, she would like to see him recognized for what he could do.After all, King Tedric'sphysician might not have enough time to deal with all the members of the newly expanded royal family especially ifSapphire and Shad got down to the business of producing heirs.Although he never had spoken of it to her, Elise had the feeling that without Earl Kestrel's patronage, Sir Jared would leada rather hand-to-mouth existence.Knighthoods were nice, but as a younger son of a small landholding family, he couldexpect little or nothing in the way of inheritance.Official patronage by the royal family would practically guarantee him athriving medical practice.While Elise was musing thus, Sapphire finished her letter.After sanding the wet ink and shaking the paper, she leaned overto slide the damp missive over to Shad."What do you think?"Elise was impressed that Sapphire would bother to consult anyone another change from the headstrong young woman shehad known all her life.How much of that arrogance might have been Lady Melina's influence or, conversely, how much ofSapphire's new tact might be due to King Tedric?Perhaps most importantly, how lasting would the changes be? Once the thrill of her new titles and marriage had worn off,Sapphire could quite easily lapse back into her former manner."Clear, concise, and well thought out," Shad said, setting the letter down on the table."What King Tedric's reply will be,however, I cannot say.""Nor I," Sapphire said, blowing lightly on the letter to make certain that it was reasonably dry before folding and sealing it."Now, Sir Jared, see if you can get an appointment to deliver this to King Tedric in person.If you cannot, at least makecertain that it is delivered to him."Sir Jared dipped a bow that, to Elise's eyes, was at least a trifle mocking."As Your Highness commands," he said."Perhaps I should take my leave immediately so as to better effect your wishes."Sapphire arched an eyebrow slightly, as if not entirely certain whether or not she was being teased
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