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because a neighbor had suggested it. Dr. Badmaev fussed at her for listening to such foolish advice. “Keep the foot clean,” I heard him tell her. “Put fresh, clean dressings on it every day. And make sure the child takes this medicine every day too.”
    He must have seen at least twenty patients before joining me in the lab. He did not look tired at all. “And how are the lungs today?”
    I could not help smiling. “I’ve sketched five different kinds of cells that I found within the lung tissues.”
    “Very good. And what herbs would one use to benefit lungailments?” I enjoyed the Tibetan doctor’s peculiar blending of Eastern and Western medicine. I had been surprised to discover he’d received his medical diploma from the St. Petersburg Military Academy of Medicine upon arriving in Russia with his elder brother several years ago. He’d been a young boy then, leaving the monastery in the Himalayas, where he’d grown up studying Tibetan medicine, and journeying thousands of miles alone to St. Petersburg to live with his brother. The elder brother died several years ago but had been a well-known doctor respected by Tsar Alexander the Second.
    “Lungwort, sea wrack, and ephedra,” I said, listing the herbs I had studied the night before.
    “Very good!” Dr. Badmaev beamed. “My nephew is joining me soon from the monastery. He will be studying medicine along with you.”
    “And he will be allowed to attend the medical academy,” I said, trying to keep the sudden bitterness from my voice. Men had so many more opportunities than women. Why did the tsar have to be so stubborn?
    “It is the way of the world, Duchess. But perhaps the world will change.”
    “I’m afraid if it does change, it will be too late for me.” I stood up from the table and stretched. My back and neck were sore from remaining in the same position for so long. “And I’m afraid dissecting lung tissue has not given me a fresh perspective on my problem either. Perhaps I should be returning home.”
    “Not without a cup of afternoon tea,” Dr. Badmaev said, ringing the bell for Masha. “Always be aware of how your environment acts upon your body. Not just the air around you, but also the people, sounds, and smells that surround you. Yourbody is bombarded with outside distractions constantly. Take the time to shut the rest of the world out and meditate. Focus on your cold light.”
    I sat in the chair he was pointing me toward and closed my eyes, breathing slowly. He was right; there were so many distractions in my life. I had to focus on what was important. It was not what I wanted most, but what was best for everyone. And what was best for George Alexandrovich would be a doctor trained in Eastern medicine. I would be of better use to him as a healer than as a wife. My cold light did give me clarity. Even if it also broke my heart. I opened my eyes and accepted the cup of tea Masha held out for me.
“Merci.”
    “You look as if you’ve made a decision?” Dr. Badmaev said. “Your face looks very resolved.”
    He was amused. But I did not mind. He was trying to lighten my mood when he knew I was making a difficult choice.
    “Yes. I shall continue my lessons with you, Doctor. I will be of no use to the tsar’s son without medical training.”
    “So you are making this decision with your head and not with your heart,” Dr. Badmaev said, blowing the steam off his cup of tea.
    I sighed. “My heart would break if I did not do everything in my power to save George.”
    “And when will you tell him your decision?”
    That I hadn’t decided yet. I sipped my tea and closed my eyes, wishing for more clarity. I knew George deserved to know as soon as possible. And the tsar deserved my answer in person.
    “I think now is the perfect time, Duchess.” It was not the doctor’s but George’s angry voice that made me open my eyes in alarm.

George Alexandrovich was standing in the doorway of Dr. Badmaev’s office. He did not look