Secrets of the Heart Read Online Free PDF

shook his bald head.
    “You’re doomed this morning, your lordship. Your absence was noted forthwith,” he said, standing behind an oak desk that hid his considerable girth.
    “What kind of mood is he in, Willie?”
    “I don’t think it’s a mood you’ll appreciate. God be with you, sir.” Willie pointed a beefy finger toward heaven. “You’ll need Him to help you this day.”
    Devlin winced. Dr. Langford had been difficult since the first day of Devlin’s medical training in London. He’d not thought it could get worse. Apparently he’d misdiagnosed the situation.
    “Thank you, Willie. You always know how to cheer me up.” He dropped his books on the desk. “Hold on to these for me, won’t you?”
    “Of course, sir. Glad to be of service.”
    He rushed down the hall to catch up with the others. Rounding a corner, Devlin crashed into his adversary. Papers flew about the hallway like startled white doves. The other students scrambled to capture them.
    “Ravensmoore, you’re late!” Langford bellowed.
    Unlike his behemoth reputation, the revered doctor and professor was a short, stout man with thick white hair and a mustache. His intimidating steel-gray glare, through wire-rimmed spectacles, pounced on any student who dared to break his sacred rules. This morning that imposing stare, directed at Devlin, could have driven daggers through his skull.
    Devlin met Langford’s piercing gaze without a blink. “I apologize, sir,” he said.
    “What a pleasure that you could join us, your lordship,” Langford declared. “I’m amazed, as I’m sure your colleagues are, that you have deigned to grace us with your noble presence.”
    The others chuckled.
    “I apologize for being late.” Devlin knew that Langford would never accept the fact that he held a title. No matter that his elder brother had died, leaving Devlin responsible for the family estate. The fact that he’d hired someone to manage his assets to pursue a medical education had caused a stir amongst the ton . A nobleman serving as a physician? Unheard of and unnecessary. His friends had disapproved.
    However, he couldn’t relinquish his goal of becoming a doctor, no matter the cost to his reputation. He’d prayed for God’s guidance, and this is where he’d been led. He’d trust God the rest of the way.
    “This will not happen again, Dr. Langford.” Devlin choked back the retort that longed to escape his lips and prayed God would grant him continued humility. There was no room for pride. Pride would eat him alive. Pride would kill his dream.
    “See that it does not.” Langford grabbed the wrinkled stack of papers from a student and proceeded down the hall.
    As the group followed their instructor to the amphitheater, Devlin slowly let out his breath and recovered his sense of humor. Langford’s gait reminded him of a mother goose leading her little ones across a busy road.
    “Wipe that preposterous grin off your face, Ravensmoore,” Langford demanded, “and tell us about our next patient.”
    Devlin peered into the amphitheater where they gathered daily to examine, diagnose, and sometimes operate on impoverished patients. Mr. Hastings lay stretched out on the examining table covered by a white sheet. Beneath the table lay a box of sawdust used to collect blood if surgery was indicated. The elderly man with the bulbous red nose glanced up at him and groaned.
    “Mr. Hastings,” Devlin called cheerfully and pushed ahead of the group. Langford and his retinue followed close behind.
    “How are you feeling today?” He wasn’t certain he wanted to know, but it was his duty to ask. Hastings had proven to be a thorn in his side for several days, and Devlin was in no mood for this patient’s antics. Langford would use any sign of incompetence to get rid of him.
    “I’m miserable, and ye ain’t done a thing for me. I swear I’m worse today than I were yesterday. What do ye plan to do about it? I’m sick to death of yer poking me