Christopher tightened his hold.

When the motion eased, Katerina suddenly became aware that she felt…

strange. Not nauseous but dizzy. She tried to ignore it, to focus her attention on

the conversation, but it grew more insistent. Black spots began floating in her field of vision.

“Christopher.” Her numb lips could scarcely form his name.

His face swam before her, distorted. “What is it, love? Are you ill again?”

“I—” and then unconsciousness rushed upon her and she sank into a faint.

Christopher caught her before she could fall and carried her to a seat, cradling her against his chest.

For the most part, the conversations continued unabated. It was not at all unusual for young ladies to pass out.

The doctor approached cautiously as Christopher patted his wife's face

gently, trying to rouse her. “Is she all right?”

“I have no idea,” Christopher replied. “She hasn't fainted in ages.”

“How tightly is she laced?” the man asked, suddenly every inch a

professional.

“She isn't. She has no laces at all. She doesn't need them.” Surely, it's no problem to admit such a private detail. The man's a doctor after all.

“Well if she's not tight-laced, and you say she's not prone to fainting, I wonder what's going on. Is she ill?” the doctor asked.

“She's seasick,” Christopher replied.

“Perhaps she's become dehydrated,” the doctor postulated. “That can happen

when one is nauseated. Does she show signs of dehydration?”

“How should I know? You're the doctor.”

“Would you like me to look her over?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Let's take her back to your cabin.”

They left the party and headed to the Bennetts' room, where Christopher laid

his wife gently on the bed. He gave the doctor a hard look. I will under no circumstances be leaving the room.

Dr. James didn't even ask. “Can you loosen her dress a bit for me?”

Christopher opened the gown, demonstrating that there was, in fact, no corset

underneath. Only the short stays that supported her naturally slender figure without squashing it.

The doctor checked Katerina's pulse and breathing. “I don't detect any

immediate threat,” he said, pulling some smelling salts from his bag. Waving it

under her nose, he roused her with the potent aroma.

“Ugh,” she moaned, waving the pungent mixture away. “What's happening?”

“You fainted, love,” Christopher informed her.

“I did?”

“Yes.”

“Now I remember. I became dizzy. It was so unpleasant. Oh, Doctor James,

why are you here?” She looked from one man to the other, blinking.

“He was concerned about you,” Christopher replied. “He offered to help us

understand why you became faint, in case your seasickness has made you

dehydrated.”

The doctor lifted Katerina's face and looked into her eyes. He pulled down her lower lip. “She doesn't have the look. No, I don't suspect dehydration. You've

just come from dinner. I saw you eating, so it wasn't hunger that caused your faint. You've been seasick?”

“Yes,” she admitted, her voice a faint groan.

“Vomiting frequently?”

“Yes. Is that why?”

“I doubt it. Vomiting can be a mechanism for malnourishment or lack of

fluids, which can cause fainting, but in itself is unlikely to do so. Hmmm. May I

ask you a very personal question?”

“Yes, I suppose so,” Katerina replied.

“How long since your last menstruation?”