Chapter 2

Dr. Alex Leduc smiled benignly at the ravishing blonde beauty seated across the desk from him, his expression a professionally warm, sympathetic one as he leaned hack in his chair, his hands joined at finger-tips, his relaxed presence putting Janet at ease immediately.

Remarkable, he thought, smiling inwardly at this stroke of good fortune. Oddly enough, hadn't he been thinking of her just before she had entered his quarters? Surely, the gods must be smiling upon him this day, he mused, as he listened to her hesitant, shamed, and more often, weeping little tale of repugnance. Alas, he had been near ready to give up the idea of such a quick shipboard conquest of this lush, young American beauty... and now Madame Fate had dealt him an exciting hand. Ravishing, absolutely ravishing! Mon Dieu, he must play these cards carefully, cautiously, for the good Madame Fate seldom extended a second opportunity.

Janet told him all, holding back nothing, surprising herself at her uninhibited divulgence of even the more lurid details to this tall, slender, debonair appearing man with the black lip-line mustache and the handsome graying temples she had known only a matter of hours. Of course, he was a physician and that was her singular cause for coming to him. There was no reason why she should be suddenly astonished with her actions. She had needed medical assistance, both physical and mental at this bitter, crucial point, and where else would one go aboard ship but to the qualified practitioner?

"I-I... perhaps I shouldn't have come," she said, dropping her lovely head and shifting awkwardly in her chair, finally tugging a small, silk hanky into view to touch at her nose and eyes. "I-I just didn't know what else to do, Doctor..."

"But of course, Madame Arden," Leduc spoke smoothly, reassuringly. "You have done the very proper thing in consulting me." He stood slowly. "It might help put you at ease to know that in my country I combine marriage counseling along with my regular practice."

Janet raised her eyes. "I didn't know," she said. She was pleased.

Leduc smiled. "Right now you are overwrought, ma chere. Let me prepare you a little something to soothe you while we talk, eh?"

She didn't hesitate; she was gratified to have found someone in whom she could confide. Even yet, she could not grasp the full horror of the despicable abuse her own Paul had subjected her to. It was beyond the bounds of her frustrated reasoning power to comprehend it. She wept quietly again as the doctor moved about his compact quarters with efficient ease.

It'll never be the same between us, she thought. It can't be. No matter... the scars will always be there. Oh Paul, how could you?

"Now, if Madame will just slip out of her jacket and raise her sleeve," said Leduc, approaching the distraught girl with a hypodermic syringe, its needle tipped in cotton.

His smile seemed to allay her solicitudes, but the sight of the needle made her catch her breath. She hesitated, looking up at him questioningly.

"I-Is it necessary, Doctor? I abhor needles..."

"Please," he replied, gently but firmly. "It's but a mild tranquilizer and its effect is more rapid when administered intramuscularly, ma chere. Then, we will chat, eh?"

Janet did as he bade, hardly feeling the insertion. Then, as she sat once more, he gave her a small glass of amber-colored, sweet tasting liquid he described as a balm to the genitalia, the reference immediately embarrassing her.

"Under the circumstances... after what you've already told me, Madame, I'm certain the remedy will offer welcome relief to you," he went on, not looking at her but writing on a yellow form as he spoke.

Janet flushed and she was angry with herself for doing so. Good Lord, she had to realize that she was a grown up married woman now, and it was high-time she cast aside at least some of her Puritanistic monomania. Perhaps... perhaps had she done so a long time ago, as Paul had suggested, none of this would have happened, and at this very moment they would be in each other's arms making beautiful, tender love...

"If Madame will finish the medication," Doctor Leduc interrupted her thoughts, rising once more and moving noiselessly around the room to soften the lights and cover the porthole with its drape. Janet watched him with some wonderment, further surprised when he lighted a small lamp placed upon the corner of his desk, its almost flickering ray directed upon her lap. He took her emptied glass placing it on a tray, then reseated himself. She could scarcely see his face in the shadow beyond the lamp, but his voice came to her in a rich, deep tone that seemed to comfort her. Truly, she had commenced to relax, her tensions easing inside her, even the burning distress between her bruised, tender thighs had begun to subside. She leaned back emitting a long soulful sigh. It was so good to be at ease again after the long night of horror she had just gone through.

There, Madame, now that you've become yourself once more, perhaps we can discuss this problem that's reared its ugly head between you and your handsome husband. Make yourself as comfortable as you can, but try to hold your head erect... in a normal position. The influence in the relaxing nerve-centers of the neck will be much more rapid. Keep both feet flat upon the floor... there, that's fine, you look much more comfortable. How do you feel?"

She allowed herself an unrestrained little laugh. "Loose," she replied, "quite loose."