‘Yes, I hope to set up a school in Frampton or Dorchester using estate funds. I helped with a similar institution in Oxfordshire and Letty and I taught the
children
sometimes.’
‘I see. You continue to surprise me, Miss Paradise.’
She blushed under his warm gaze and busied herself collecting the papers to cover her confusion. ‘Th-Thank you for all your work – I’ll give instructions to Ennis. I-I’m sorry to have taken up your time with this.’
‘Not at all – in fact, I am reviewing my own workers’ wages as a result. I would be happy to continue with our afternoon meetings and believe I can offer further advice, if you will allow me.
‘I have no objection, but Miss Nash might.’
He frowned. ‘Caroline? What has she to say in the matter?’
‘She thinks you are spending too much time at Hawkscote and neglecting your own affairs,’ said Alyssa, rubbing her forehead with a hand that trembled slightly; the intense pain was making her light-headed.
Alyssa was a little frightened. She had never experienced feeling unwell like this before. She studied Gil through clouded, misty vision: his firm jawline and bone structure, his hands, his muscular shoulders and chest – physical attributes which spoke of innate strength, as did his energy, efficacy, and resolution … every aspect distilled into the essence of controlled power. In her weakened state, this somehow gave her comfort. He was a man you could rely on, a man whose mere presence engendered confidence and Alyssa sighed faintly, thinking it would be very pleasant to be loved and protected from every care by Sir Giles. His voice recalled her wandering thoughts.
‘How do you know this?’ he asked, angrily.
‘We met Miss Nash in Dorchester and she mentioned it then. I would not have told you, except you offered to continue our meetings and I thought you should be aware of her comments.’
‘She’s no business to interfere.’
‘If you are to be betrothed, Sir Giles, perhaps she can express an opinion,’ said Alyssa, wearily. She felt inordinately tired, and another wave of nausea swept through her.
‘Betrothed?’ He looked at Alyssa in surprise. ‘Damnation! I’ve no inclination to—’ He stopped, recollecting his fierce tone, and continued in more moderate voice, ‘I will speak to Caroline. If you are agreeable, our afternoon meetings will continue.’ Looking into her face, he frowned. ‘Are you feeling well? Your cheeks look very heated.’
‘I-I do not feel quite the thing, to be honest.’
‘You are ill? You should have told me earlier!’
‘I had hoped to feel better, but now my head aches abominably. Perhaps I have a caught a chill. I-I think I must retire, if you will excuse me.’
Alyssa’s head swam alarmingly as she rose to her feet. She heard his deep voice which suddenly sounded a long way off. When her legs began to shake, she rested her hands against the table to steady herself and tried to speak again, but her lips would not obey her brain. Neither would her limbs. She stumbled slightly and there was ringing in her ears as the cloak of unconsciousness began to envelop her.
Floating on the precipice of oblivion, her last hazy memories were of the walls of the diningroom becoming strangely distorted and Sir Giles uttering a low, urgent expletive before rushing to grasp her upper arm. Turning her head towards him, his dark features wavered before her clouded vision. More words – murmured, indistinct but imperative – reached through the fog before fading away into the distance, ‘Miss Paradise! Alyssa, my darling girl! What is wrong…?’
But Alyssa could offer no reply: the dark void overwhelmed her.
Gil caught Alyssa as she swayed, feeling her body slump against his. Her head lay against his shoulder and her eyes were closed, the dark lashes sweeping down towards reddened cheeks. Fear, illogical, but stark and chilling all the same, clutched at his heart and drawing in a ragged breath, he felt down the exposed curve of her neck, exhaling in relief when he detected the rapid erratic beat. Her skin, however, felt unusually hot under his touch: it was the dry heat of fever. Dear God, for a moment he had thought the worst! Pulling her languid,
unresponsive
body closer, he touched his lips briefly to her brow before spurring himself to action.
‘Rowberry, Miss Ravenhill! Hurry!’ he cried and, lifting Alyssa into his arms, he carried her to the small
chaise
in the corner of the room.
Rowberry entered and when he saw Alyssa’s inert form, his imperturbable manner was replaced by agitation and he wrung his hands.
‘Your mistress has been taken ill. Fetch Miss Ravenhill, at once! And bring some water or cordial.’
‘Very good, sir!’
Rowberry bustled out as Letty came in.
She glanced at Sir Giles, who knelt at Alyssa’s side, holding her fingers in one hand with his dark brows knitted together in consternation, and cried, ‘What is wrong?’
‘She has a fever. The doctor must be brought to her immediately.’
Letty placed a hand on Alyssa’s forehead. ‘Oh, she is on fire! She commented on the headache which had troubled her all day but thought it might improve.’
‘Perhaps she is worse for sitting through dinner,’ he said, bitterly, his eyes fixed on Alyssa’s flushed features. ‘Dear God, if only I had known.’
Letty laid a reassuring hand on his sleeve. ‘You had no way of knowing. She must have deteriorated quickly otherwise she would have told you. But whom should we send for the doctor? Only the stable lad, the elderly footman and Rowberry are here this evening. The solicitor’s clerk has already left.’
‘None of them:
I
shall
go
.’
‘You?’
‘Of course,’ he said, staring as if astonished Letty should query his decision. ‘There must be no delay. I came in my carriage so I will collect the doctor.’
‘It would be the quickest solution,’ she admitted, ‘but first, we must get Alyssa to her room. Sir Giles, do you think—?’
She had not finishing speaking before he lifted Alyssa once more and headed for the door, walking past the butler who was returning with a glass of cordial.
‘Order my carriage, Rowberry,’ he said.
‘Second room on the right at the top of the stairs,’ called Letty, hurrying across the hall in Gil’s wake. ‘You may give that to me, Rowberry, and when you have ordered the carriage, ask Mrs Farnell to come to Alyssa’s room.’
Gil climbed the stairs with careful haste. As he did so, Alyssa began to murmur the incomprehensible disjointed phrases of delirium into his chest. He glanced down in concern but continued on until he reached the room, pushed the door open with one shoulder and laid his burden gently on the bed.
‘Thank you, Sir Giles. I don’t know how we would have got Alyssa upstairs so quickly without your help,’ said Letty.
‘Will you take good care of her?’ His gaze did not leave Alyssa, who was still murmuring incoherently.
‘I love her as a sister; you need have no anxiety on that point. But please hurry!’
He nodded. ‘Doctor Plant is an excellent physician,’ he said and, with a final glance towards the bed, he left.
Letty had already partially undressed Alyssa when Mrs Farnell arrived and together they removed the rest of her clothes, dressed her in a cotton nightgown and unpinned her hair. Letty bathed Alyssa’s face with water which seemed to calm her a little, but made no impact on the heat emanating from her body. She thrashed to and fro, murmuring about her headache and crying out for a drink, her comments jumbled with other unintelligible phrases.
‘Her fever is worsening and her cheeks are very flushed. I hope Sir Giles hurries back,’ remarked Letty anxiously.
‘So do I, miss,’ said the housekeeper, shaking her head. ‘The mistress is in a bad taking, for all she’s young and strong.’
It was another half an hour before Sir Giles returned, and Letty met them in the hallway, ‘I am relieved to see you, Doctor – the fever has taken firm hold and she is delirious.’
‘Hmm … Sir Giles explained the symptoms on the way, Miss Ravenhill,’ said the doctor, removing his coat. ‘I fear I know what ails Miss Paradise, but I need to examine her to make certain.’
‘You know? But how can you?’
Doctor Plant collected his bag. ‘I will explain later, if I may. Where is the patient?’
‘In her room. Follow me, if you please.’
Gil stood nearby, a frown carved on his forehead, and he called out to Letty as she began to climb the stairs. ‘Miss Ravenhill, it is late, but would you mind if I stay to hear the doctor’s opinion? I would appreciate it.’
‘Not at all,’ she replied, over her shoulder. ‘Ask Rowberry to provide you with some refreshment.’
During his anxious wait, Sir Giles alternately paced the drawing-room floor or stared out at the sky, turned blood red by the approaching sunset. But he had no eyes for the beauty in this display. He was a rational man, but from the moment he realized Alyssa was ill, reasoned thought had deserted him. He had somehow managed to discuss her symptoms with Dr Plant dispassionately, all the while yearning for her condition to have improved on his return. However, judging by Letty’s expression, her condition had worsened and the longer the doctor stayed with her, the more serious the illness was likely to be. By the time the doctor returned, anxiety had clawed savagely at Gil until he dreaded the news he must hear. Pale and drawn, he passed the doctor a glass of wine and asked, ‘Do you know what Miss Paradise is suffering from?’
‘It is as I suspected, Sir Giles: scarlet fever.’
Gil stared. ‘Scarlet fever! Is that possible? I have heard of no cases in the area.’
‘Nor had I, until yesterday,’ said the doctor, sitting down. ‘Miss Paradise asked me to visit a young child on the estate, Samuel Fletcher. He has been unwell for several days and I believe Miss Paradise visited the family during that time.’
Overhearing this as she came in, Letty observed, ‘Yes, she was worried about the boy and took provisions to help his recovery.’
‘In doing so, she unwittingly exposed herself to scarlet fever,’ said the doctor. ‘When I examined the child yesterday, the fever was well advanced and the rash which accompanies the disease already developing. I planned to send word and recommend precautions be put in place, but the damage was done as far as Miss Paradise was concerned: the child had already passed the disease on to her.’
‘But there are no marks on Alyssa. You may yet be mistaken.’
Doctor Plant shook his head. ‘I am not mistaken, Miss Ravenhill – the onset of the illness is very rapid, with the rash appearing within a day or so of the fever and sore throat. By morning, I fully expect Miss Paradise to be exhibiting that symptom also.’
‘Her cheeks were very flushed.’
‘Another classic manifestation of the illness, Sir Giles. The patient’s cheeks become reddened, hence the name. Her headache and nausea are also evidence that scarlet fever is present.’
Gil asked urgently, ‘And what is the prognosis for Miss Paradise? And the child, of course.’
‘Not unfavourable but there is always a danger of complications. Young, healthy patients usually survive the illness, unpleasant though it is, but they can develop a weakness of the heart which leads to many months of convalescence and sometimes, no complete recovery. As for the child, thanks to Miss Paradise’s prompt intervention, he is already showing signs of improvement, but it is too early to say whether he will recover fully – scarlet fever is the most severe and fatal of all the exanthematous fevers.’
Gil’s face drained of its remaining colour and he raked his fingers through his hair in agitation. For a few moments, he struggled to reply, but finally managed to say with passable composure, ‘She must receive the best possible care. Send all your expenses to Eastcombe, and engage a second opinion if necessary – from Matthew Baillie in London, if you think it appropriate.’
‘It will not, I hope, be necessary to consult Dr Baillie. Surely Miss Paradise will deal with payment when she is well again?’
‘I will attend to it. I do not want her troubled with the matter while she
recuperates
.’
‘If that is what you wish,’ he replied, throwing Gil a curious look. ‘Scarlet fever, however, presents specific issues which need to be addressed.’
‘Precautions must be taken to prevent the disease spreading,’ said Letty.
‘Quite so, my dear,’ replied the doctor. ‘The patient must be kept as quiet and isolated as possible. Have you some experience of the illness?’
‘Unfortunately, yes. I know what must be done, and will care for Alyssa myself.’
‘I am sure you are an excellent nurse Miss Ravenhill, but I will only allow it if you have help and take plenty of rest and fresh air.’
Letty nodded. ‘I will do as you ask. The housekeeper will assist me.’
‘And
you
must stay away until any danger is passed, Sir Giles,’ declared the doctor.
‘Stay away?’ Gil repeated, incredulous. ‘Impossible! I cannot – I need to enquire after Miss Paradise.’ He sprang to his feet and began pacing about the room.
‘Then you put your own health at risk.’
‘It is of no matter! I dined with Miss Paradise this evening and will continue to visit to see how she goes on. I shall find no peace otherwise.’ This last sentence was spoken too quietly for either the doctor or Letty to hear.
‘That is your decision, of course. Her cousin must be informed, as should the gentleman to whom she is about to become betrothed who, Sir Giles informs me, is in London,’ He looked at the clock and rose to his feet. ‘There is nothing more I can do this evening. May I trouble you to take me back to Frampton, Sir Giles?’
‘Yes, of course. I will contact Mr Kilworth if Miss Ravenhill can find a spare moment to write to Mr Brook?’
Letty agreed and Dr. Plant nodded, satisfied. ‘I will return first thing in the morning. You have my instructions, Miss Ravenhill. With the aid of the laudanum, the patient should sleep, if only fitfully, and I shall decide tomorrow if a bleeding would be beneficial.’
As the doctor collected his coat, Gil said in a low earnest voice, ‘Do not hesitate to send word during the night, no matter how slight your concern, Letty. Promise me you will do so if Aly – Miss Paradise’s condition should deteriorate.’ He added gruffly, ‘I will drag the doctor back here at any hour if you think it necessary.’
‘I promise I will.’
‘Thank you. I, too, intend to return early tomorrow,’ he said.
Gil and the doctor left, and Letty returned to Alyssa’s room. After arranging for the housekeeper to relieve her, she remained to care for her charge.
Alyssa’s fever and delirium continued, not helped by the sultry heat of a clear summer’s night. She muttered constantly and cited Sir Giles, Piers, Letty, the Nashes and Charles in her ramblings. Most of it was confused although
occasionally
a few phrases were clear enough to be understood and caused Letty to raise her brows in surprise. The laudanum quietened Alyssa but did not lessen the fever or ease the sore throat which made her cry plaintively in her lucid moments.
Eventually, she fell into fitful sleep, exhausted from vomiting and the effects of the opiate. When Mrs Farnell came, Letty was reluctant to leave, but the housekeeper insisted.
‘And what good will it do if you are taken ill as well, miss?’ she asked, bluntly. ‘The doctor included your well-being in his instructions.’
‘Very well. I shall lie down, but call me at once if there is any change.’
Letty snatched two hours’ sleep and awoke with a start to find dawn approaching. Hurriedly, she washed, dressed and returned to Alyssa’s room to find her condition unaltered: she remained in a high fever.
Dr Plant confirmed this when he returned. ‘There is no change but I expect none for a few hours.’ He indicated the fine, raised rash that had begun to emerge on Alyssa’s shoulders and neck. ‘You see the evidence, Miss Ravenhill. There is no doubt it is scarlet fever and you and the housekeeper must take every precaution. No more than two hours in the sickroom before changing over, and as much rest and good food as you can reasonably manage in between.’
Letty looked down at Alyssa’s sleeping figure and whispered, ‘When she wakes, she is greatly troubled by her throat – can anything else be done to
alleviate
the pain?’
‘Very little, apart from laudanum. I have heard cloths soaked in vinegar and hot water applied to the throat ease the symptoms a little. I have no objection to you trying this remedy, but please remember to offer water as often as possible and, when she will take it, some nourishing food – I have no time for these
fashionable
reducing diets. I will bleed Miss Paradise to lessen her fever.’ Rolling up his shirt sleeves, Dr Plant looked quizzically at Letty. ‘Are you squeamish at the sight of blood?’ he asked. ‘I require your assistance if you will stay.’
‘Yes, I’ll help you.’ Letty did not relish Alyssa being subjected to a bleeding but she held the small bowl and could not help but admire the doctor’s skill as he completed the task with the least amount of distress to his patient. He stayed for a short while, checking Alyssa’s pulse and throat until he nodded with
satisfaction
. Reminding Letty of the precautions for her own care, he then collected his bag and said he would return later in the day.
Afterwards, Letty descended the stairs wearily. Worry had added to her tiredness and although she did not feel hungry, she was mindful of the doctor’s words and thought a little breakfast might refresh her for the difficult day ahead.
She was in the breakfast parlour when Rowberry announced Sir Giles was waiting.
‘Ask him to come in. I’m sure he will not mind a lack of formality this
morning
.’