Note: In Chapters One and Two, Nightingale Synge, 50, sacrificed her nursing career in hopes of restoring virility to young Gregory Wilson wounded in the Great War. A woman of keen sensuality and frequent masturbation, but still a virgin, she has found her objectivity under siege by her strong attraction to the scarred but very handsome young captain. Her techniques are far outside mainstream medicine and increasingly passionate despite her deteriorating resolution to be detached and professional. She is determined to see Gregory's "Sergeant Major" upstanding once more and made up her mind to be the first beneficiary of his restored manhood. In this third chapter we will learn that a conversation with his mother may open a door to Gregory's restoration.
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When Nightingale next visited, a maid was waiting with a note from Gregory's mother.
"Nurse Synge, Do me the kindness of joining me for tea today before you attend my son." It was signed, "Lady Constance Wilson."
Nightingale agreed and the maid escorted her to a sitting room in the main residence and asked her to please be seated, informing her that Lady Wilson would join her shortly.
When the door slid open once more, Gregory's mother entered followed by a maid carrying a tea service. Nightingale rose and awaited the woman's pleasure. Lady Constance Wilson, 57, gazed frankly at Nightingale.
"I am Lady Wilson, Gregory's mother. You may call me Constance."
She offered her hand, touching Nightingale's briefly and invited her to sit.
She turned to the maid, "You may pour, Maureen." After the tea was poured for each, she dismissed the girl.
Lady Wilson was not as tall or large boned as Nightingale. She was a comely woman, fashionably attired in a light blue dress that looked as expensive, as it was.
Nightingale was uncertain why Lady Wilson wanted to speak with her. It turned out Gregory's mother was candid and direct; not given to small talk or circumspection.
"Shall I call you Nurse Synge?"
"Please call me Gale, Constance"
"Thank you, Gale. I asked you to tea because Gregory has spoken highly of you; highly and candidly. He has told me of your first visit and I found it most interesting. I want to assure you I have no compunction about anything you might do to help Gregory. If I can help you in any way...."
Lady Wilson continued, "I am most anxious to see Gregory restored to full virility. I hope one day he will provide an heir to carry on the family name. He told me how wonderful it was to have a splendid release; indeed as he had not previously experienced; that is the intensity of it. I want to thank you for giving him that, although he was not able to gain an erection. And it pleased me as well that his ardor so excited you; he so much enjoyed watching you give yourself pleasure. That is important isn't it that he can arouse and be aroused by a libidinous woman, I should think."
Nightingale was taken somewhat aback by Constance Wilson's remarks. She was also intrigued by the frankness of Gregory's revelations to his mother.
"Your remarks are most helpful and I see that Gregory enjoys unusual openness in his relationship with you," Nightingale said.
"Dear Gregory and I have always been very close, perhaps unusually so. We are quite at ease with one another, I assure you, quite at ease. May I ask how you intend to proceed?" Lady Constance inquired.
"Your remarks just now suggest a possible course of action," Nightingale replied. "Tell me are you familiar with the work of Doctor Sigmund Freud?"
Constance replied she knew of him but did not know of his work at all.
Nightingale explained briefly that a so-called "Oedipal Complex" was central to Freud's theories about human behavior. This complex had to do with erotic feelings about the maternal figure. She mused aloud whether or not Gregory's "ease" of intimate discourse with Constance, might be associated with erotic feelings.
Constance smiled more to herself than outwardly, "Gale," she said, "Are you suggesting that Gregory has desire to be intimate with me, with his mother?"
"Perhaps, yes," Nightingale said. "With your permission, I would like to frankly pursue this with Gregory in order to observe his response. If he does harbor such feelings and we bring them forward they may stimulate him in a powerful way. We should leave no possibility unexplored."
"As I said I support you in any approach that may help Gregory. I am reassured by your openness to exploration of therapeutic approaches that conventional medicine I know would not consider," Constance said. Although Gregory and I talk, as you've been made aware, I would very much want to hear the details from you on a regular basis as well."
Nightingale understood that Constance last was more than just a request and assured the older woman that she would keep her fully informed.
Gregory welcomed Nightingale to his cottage. He was fresh from his hot bath and wearing only a towel at his waist. Once more she found his body so beautiful it made her knees weak.
"Did mother have you in for tea?"
"Yes, Gregory. We had a very open and I think worthwhile discussion about your relationship. Your mother explained that you have been quite forthcoming about what we did in our first therapy session. I want you to know I don't mind you telling her about what we do together. She is very understanding and encouraging."
"You seem to have had a cordial meeting, then," Gregory said.
"Oh yes, quite," Nightingale said. "Our discussion has given me some possibly fruitful ideas about how we might proceed. Let me ask, will you answer my questions with complete candor?"
"Questions, about?" Gregory asked.