As the sparks fly upward, p.11
As the Sparks Fly Upward, page 11
“What’s the matter with you, boy? You’ve been glum ever since you returned from Withington.”
“Nothing’s wrong with me.”
“Nothing? You think I don’t know anything about human nature? You think I can’t see when a man has been hit right between the eyes? Come now, tell me what’s bothering you!”
“I tell you it’s nothing. Now, leave me alone!”
Phineas stared at him. “Well, that is the harshest thing you have ever said to your dear friend. A dear friend who is me.”
Colin chewed on his lower lip, and Phineas saw that his words had hit hard.
“I’m sorry, Dr. Teague. It’s is just that things are not going very well for me lately.”
Phineas positioned himself so he was able to look into Colin’s eyes. A yellow beam of sunlight made a golden shaft as it came through one of the high windows and illuminated the young man’s features. “If I ever saw misery on a man, it’s on you.” Suddenly a thought came to him and he said abruptly, “When a man is as down as you are, it can only be a woman. Is that it?”
“No!” Colin said harshly.
Phineas cocked his head to the side and stared at Colin. “Why so great and furious a no? If what I said was not so, a simple negative would have done. It is a woman.”
Colin stared at Phineas and his voice had a sharp edge to it. “Are we going to work on this body or not?”
“Since you won’t talk, we’ll have to.” Phineas hesitated, then put his hand on his young friend’s shoulder. It was a physical expression of affection Teague rarely used, and Colin looked at him, surprised. “I’m sorry, my boy. I don’t mean to pry into your problems. When a man has trouble, whether it is a woman, or money, or sickness, he doesn’t need someone trying to arm his way into his misery. So whatever it is, I pray that you will get over it.”
Colin suddenly smiled. It was a wry smile, but his eyes did brighten just the same. “You pray it will go away? I thought you didn’t believe in prayer.”
Phineas scowled and jerked his hand back. “There you are! I try to show a little consideration, and you say something as unkind as that. Of course I don’t believe in prayer! It was just a figure of speech. Come now, let’s get to this body. It’s rank enough as it is, and it’ll be worse by the time we get through with it!”
The members of the local chapter of the Royal College of Physicians were all equally uncomfortable. There were five of them, and they all had their eyes fixed on the head of the college, Dr. Regis Perry. No one spoke, and Perry grew irritated. “What’s the matter with you men?” he angrily demanded. “I’m not asking you to do anything that doesn’t need to be done. You know that Teague and Winslow have hurt us all.”
Dr. Rowlins spoke up rather timidly. “But Dr. Perry, there is nothing that we can do about it. Dr. Teague is a world-renowned physician.”
“I don’t care about that! You all know how he has spoken of us. He makes no secret of the fact that he thinks we’re all worthless as physicians.”
Dr. Ralph Johnson spoke up. He was a heavyset man with dark brown eyes and a cruel mouth. “I agree with Dr. Perry. Something has to be done about those two.”
“What can we do?” Rowlins asked.
“We can strike their names off the list of our membership,” Perry said and grinned wickedly. His colleagues knew Colin had been operating under Teague’s license.
“That would be acceptable to me,” Rowlins grunted. “Every one of us should sign our names to that.”
The meeting did not continue long. Perry was a bull-like man in appearance and was the same in his ways. He was accustomed to having his own way, and now, with Johnson supporting him, he was able to get the support of the other members.
“All right then, it’s settled. I will draft the letter and get it off to Teague at once.”
Rowlins suddenly reconsidered, then shook his head. “You can get rid of Colin Winslow, but you’d better not try it with Teague. He has the support of some very powerful men.”
“I believe that is so,” Dr. Thompson said. He rarely spoke at the meetings, but he sounded determined now. “We will lay ourselves into real trouble if we attack Teague.”
“Well, so be it. We will eliminate Winslow. I wouldn’t be surprised,” Perry said with a cruel smile, “if Teague did not resign in protest. And that would be fine with me!”
Adam Winslow seemed to bring some sort of light with him when he joined groups or entered rooms. He had a mysterious quality that some people possess to attract all eyes. There could be fifty men in a room, but when Adam entered all eyes turned to him. Part of that force was due to his strong body and good looks. He was two inches over six feet, with golden hair and unusual hazel eyes that seemed to burn when he got angry. There was an energy in him that blazed, and other men seemed to pale in comparison.
“Well, Brother,” Adam said with enthusiasm as he clapped Colin on the shoulder, “I’m glad to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you, Adam. When did you get in?”
“Two days ago. It was a good voyage, too. We took three prizes.” As Sir Francis Drake’s most trusted lieutenant, Adam would get his fair share of the booty. “Tell me, what have you been doing with yourself? Still determined to be a grubby doctor, I suppose.”
“Actually, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Adam blinked with surprise. He had never agreed with Colin’s decision to become a physician; he would have preferred him to become a sailor like him. But he of all men knew that Colin had not the talent nor the frame nor the inclination to become a fighter.
“What do you mean? Have you decided on another profession?”
“Not really, Adam. It’s been decided for me.”
“Decided for you? Who did the deciding?”
“The Royal College of Physicians. They are the authority. A man has to be certified by them before he begins to practice medicine. I got a letter from them that said I have been dropped from their roll and cannot serve as a physician.”
Adam growled, “Who do they think they are? They can’t do this to my brother!”
“I’m afraid they can. I can never practice without a certificate.”
Adam stared at Colin and had a rare moment of insight. He suddenly realized he had overshadowed Colin in every way. He was the oldest son and would inherit the title. He had made a fortune with his voyages with Sir Francis Drake and was rapidly rising as one of the stars of the Seahawks. He had a large ego, but at the same time he had a warm heart for his family. He saw that he had not shown any real consideration to this younger brother of his and said firmly, “Something will have to be done.”
“Nothing can be done. They are the final authority on this.”
Adam Winslow stood silently for a moment. He was a man of action rather than a man of thought. This situation displeased him, and he felt a glow of anger. “We will see about this!” he said grimly, then reached across and hugged Colin. With a determined grin he said, “Don’t give up, Brother. If this is what you want, I will see that you get it.”
Colin suddenly smiled. He felt the weight of his brother’s arm and the strength of his muscular body, and he saw the light of battle in his brother’s eyes. These were qualities that he could never have, but he was moved that at least Adam was sympathetic. “I don’t think there is anything you can do, but I appreciate your willingness to try.”
The Queen’s Counsel was comprised of only men. Elizabeth sat at the head and the men she trusted to decide the fate of the British Empire sat around the long table. At Elizabeth’s side, as always, was William Cecil, Lord Burghley, and everyone realized that Elizabeth would take no action against his advice. Across from him at Elizabeth’s left was Sir Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. He was the handsomest man in the room and the one many thought Elizabeth would choose as her husband. That had never happened. Cecil had once whispered to Walsingham, “She will never marry.” When Walsingham had objected that it was entirely possible, Cecil said flatly, “No, she will never share her throne with a man. She is now ruler of England, and she will die ruler of England, without a man’s help.”
The rest of the men at the table were the powers of English government. At the farthest end from the queen, next to Sir Francis Drake, sat Adam Winslow. He listened now to Sir Francis as he urged Elizabeth to strike at Spain with every force that could be summoned. This was an old argument, and though Drake had plundered Spain’s treasure ships, King Philip hesitated to declare war.
“That would mean war,” Elizabeth said. “We have not the money for war.”
Drake sat up straighter and challenged the queen as few men would dare to do. “My queen, we must strike Spain. If we do not, they will gain the power to strike first. They are even now building ships, and they aren’t fishing ships, either!”
“No, indeed!” Adam exclaimed. He was the youngest member in the room and was not really a member of the counsel, but was there at Drake’s request. “We could take their ships and more of their treasures and gain power over them.”
Everyone in the room turned and stared at Adam. It was unheard of for a man so young to be so outspoken. Elizabeth, however, smiled. “You speak too rashly, young man.”
“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty.” Adam tried to look humble but failed miserably. “I only want to see you rule the greatest nation on the face of the earth. And to see you do that, we must defeat Spain.”
The meeting went on for thirty minutes more, with Drake arguing for the first strike against Spain. Elizabeth, however, was determined to forbid it and finally dismissed the meeting, abruptly stating, “We will hear no more of this.” She rose, and the men rose with her. They started to leave, but Elizabeth said, “Captain Winslow, a word with you.”
Adam went at once to the queen. “Yes, Your Majesty, what is it?”
“How is your family?”
“Very well, indeed. They speak so well of you, especially my father.”
“He is a dear man. I wish there were a hundred thousand like him in our kingdom. And your mother, is she well?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Your Majesty, there is one matter that I hesitate to mention, but it means a great deal to my family.”
“What is that, Captain Winslow?”
“It has to do with my brother, Colin. I believe you have met him?”
“Yes, I met him when he was younger. Now he is gaining quite a reputation as a healer.”
“Exactly, Your Majesty. It grieves me to tell you that his career has been brought to a halt.”
Elizabeth stared at Adam. “Indeed, how did that happen?”
“It’s the College of Physicians. They have wrongfully excluded him, taken away his certificate. He can’t practice medicine without it.”
Elizabeth suddenly cursed. She was plainspoken always, but from time to time profanity came across her lips. She exclaimed, “I will not see your brother mistreated!”
“He has great talent. Anything you could do would be greatly appreciated by all of our family, Your Majesty.”
“You tell your brother not to worry. I will see to this matter.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The queen left, and Drake came to stand beside Adam. He had to look up to stare at the tall young man. “What was that all about? Did she rebuke you for speaking so plainly?”
“No, it was something else entirely, Sir Francis. My brother is in trouble and she has promised to help him.”
“Well, if she has promised, hang on to it. Sometimes she forgets.”
“She will not forget this, Sir Francis!”
“You must bring Mary, Queen of Scots, to trial!” Lord Burghley said. He and Walsingham had met with Elizabeth before she had seen the full counsel. Both had been trying for months to get Elizabeth to see the danger her sister queen could cause her.
“I cannot attack a sister queen. She has her authority from God the same as I do,” Elizabeth replied staunchly.
Walsingham sighed. “Your Majesty, she has forsaken her rights as a queen.”
“Queens or kings cannot be deposed. They are chosen by God to lead their people.”
“She has led her people to terrible straits. The Scots were happy to get rid of her. They did not worry about the divine right of royalty.”
“That is their problem; that is what they have chosen. I’ll hear no more of this.” Then she suddenly smiled, for these were the two men she trusted most. “I know you think I am wrong in this, but you must let me have my way. Go now, Walsingham, I have more people to see.”
Walsingham left, but Burghley remained. “What is next on my agenda, William?”
“You summoned the College of Physicians for a meeting.”
“Yes, have them come in.”
Burghley nodded at the soldier at the door. At once, he opened the door and a group of twelve men entered the room. They all bowed deeply, and the queen said, “I’ll make this a very short meeting. It concerns the charges you have brought against Dr. Colin Winslow.”
“He is not a doctor!” Regis Perry said abruptly. He had no gentleness about him and he was accustomed to having his own way, but he was now facing a woman who always had her own way.
“Do you speak so to me, Dr. Perry?”
“I—I apologize, Your Majesty, but this man is dangerous.”
“I will hear your cause.”
Elizabeth sat for the next fifteen minutes listening to the charges, all of which seemed irrelevant to her. When they were finished, she finally said, “So, your chief displeasure is that this man is not a good candidate as a physician because he does not pay attention to old books and the old authorities?”
“That is right, Your Majesty. He has no respect for the most trusted authorities.”
“Are the old authorities always right?” Elizabeth demanded.
“Perhaps not always, Your Majesty. But we must respect them.”
“Respect, yes. But this man is doing great and wonderful new things that, it seems to me, none of you have thought of. I have made my decision. You will certify him completely.” She paused and looked out at the men, who were struck by her words. Perry opened his mouth to protest, but one look at Elizabeth’s face and he shut it instantly.
“I trust you understand me. There will be no unpleasantness toward Dr. Winslow. He will be given full accreditation. I command you, Dr. Perry, to make out the certificate and deliver it in person. Do you understand my orders?”
Perry swallowed hard. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Indeed he did understand them. There was no mistaking Elizabeth, queen of England!
Colin looked up when he heard knocking at the door of Teague’s house. “Who could that be, Dr. Teague?”
“I’m not expecting any patients, but you’d better go see. Someone is probably sick.”
Colin rose and answered the door. He stared with astonishment at the man who waited there, then said, “Dr. Perry, will you come in?”
Dr. Regis Perry swallowed hard and managed to mutter, “Thank you, Mr. Winslow.” He stepped inside and saw Dr. Phineas Teague, who was standing at a window. “Dr. Teague, how are you today, sir?”
Teague smiled. “Very well. Will you be seated, sir?”
“That will not be necessary. I have something for you, Mr. Winslow.”
Colin watched as the man reached into the leather bag that was dangling from his belt and pulled out a paper. He saw that Perry’s face was pale.
“This is your certificate to practice medicine,” Perry said, and the words were obviously hard for him to utter. He held out the paper. “You are now a fully qualified member of the College of Physicians.”
Colin took the paper and his face lit up. “Look, Dr. Teague, I’m now officially certified!”
Teague came over and glanced at the paper, then looked sharply at Perry. This made Perry very uncomfortable and he mumbled, “Well, sir, that is all I have to say. Good evening—and congratulations, Dr. Winslow.” He managed to get the words out despite the fact that he was gritting his teeth ferociously.
As soon as the man was out the door, Teague shook his head in wonder. “That man has never done a kind thing in his life. What could have changed his mind?”
Colin’s face glowed. “It had to be Adam.”
“I don’t understand you.”
“I shared my problem with him about getting certified, and he said he would make it right. Obviously he took it to the queen, and she had a hand in this.”
“Of course! Perry would never do this, except from a direct command of the queen herself.” He put his hand on Colin’s shoulder. “So, Dr. Winslow, as I may now call you, I have a command for you.”
“A command?”
“Yes, go home. Your parents need to hear this. You need to talk to your brother and give him proper thanks. And you need some time off.”
“I would like to go home,” Colin said thoughtfully.
“Off with you, then. When you come back, we’ll find some fresher corpses than the last one we had!”
11
June 30, 1583
Midsummer had come, and the sun scorched the earth even in the late morning. Colin, who had been home for several weeks, knew it was time for him to return and take up his work with Teague. He had discovered that his visit home had brought back painful memories of Adara, and tears came to his eyes often. He thought, I wasn’t kind enough to her. Now she’s gone, and I can’t do anything for her.
Then one morning, when he was packing his clothes, his parents came to him and said, “We want you to have this, Son.”
Colin took the money that his father handed him. He was surprised by the weight of it. “Why, what is this for?”
Eden smiled and put her arm around him. “We want you to have some money to spend on something for yourself. I’m sure you need instruments or something that will help you with your profession.”
Colin shook his head. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”
“This is something we want to do. You never spend anything on yourself. Get some stylish clothes. Make a splash when you get back to the big city.”
