CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
‘Complications can arise, and I will admit they are more common in the very young. However, as yet there is no saying but that the child will be most unwell for a week and not fully recovered for several weeks thereafter. However, the vast majority of cases cause no long-term problems. I think to worry her ladyship at this early stage would be unnecessary.’
‘Thank you.’
299‘Not at all, my lord. Good night to you.’
‘Good night.’
The pair parted, the good doctor to his patients or his bed, and Lord Barkby to write to Mr Gilmorton before he took to his own bed, informing him that Gilmorton would be guarding Miss Newent alone for the foreseeable future.
Louisa did not have a good night. In fact, the only thing that told her it was night was the darkness, which morphed a few hours later into a grey dawn that blossomed into a sunny morning, which she resented because it seemed so ordinary.
Several times she had been on the verge of waking a servant and sending for Parry, but the remnant of objectivity to which she clung told her he could do nothing, change nothing.
Emily was distressed, crying frequently in a weak way that broke her mother’s heart.
She was never settled for more than half an hour, and more teaspoonfuls of water seemed to end up upon her nightgown than in her mouth.
The strain pulled at every fibre of Louisa’s being, and when Leece knocked at seven o’clock with a cup of tea, a boiled egg and some bread and butter, he found his mistress, heavy eyed and slow of thought, with little Emily cradled in her lap.
‘Hannah reports that Betty is still very feverish this morning, my lady, but slept for several hours in the night. I am sure Hannah could be spared to sit with Miss Emily, if you wish to change your raiment and such.’
‘Thank you, Leece, but Emily does not recognise Hannah, and I would hate her to come to full consciousness and see only someone strange to her.’
300‘She would recognise me, my lady, if you would lay her in her cot and spare yourself but a few minutes.’ He was all concern, and remarkably paternal for a man barely five years her senior.
‘I should not … but … Have a can of hot water sent to my room, and if you come when it is ready, I will go and change. Thank you. Leaning into the cot became too awkward, so I have had her on my lap since … I do not know.’
‘Then may I suggest a truckle bed be set up, my lady, while she is being watched all the hours of day and night. It would be far easier to care for her.’
‘That is a good idea. Please arrange it.’
‘You may rely upon me.’
‘I do, Leece, I do.’ She managed a wavering smile, but then dashed a hand across her eyes.
It was foolishness to feel like weeping.
The case was not desperate, and most children caught the measles at some stage.
She must not make it seem over-dramatic.
The doctor would come later, and Lord Barkby would visit during the day.
In fact, he was on the doorstep at ten o’clock, and before Dr Parry.
‘How is her ladyship, Leece?’
‘Worn to the bone, my lord, not having slept as far as I can judge, with Miss Emily being fretful throughout the night.’
‘Take me up to her, and let me see the situation for myself.’
Leece led the way, and, despite Lord Barkby declaring any formality a waste, announced him as he held open the 301nursery door, in a muted tone, but in the same manner as he would if the gentleman were paying an ordinary social call.
Louisa was standing beside a truckle bed set up in place of the cot, now pushed into the corner of the room.
She turned, and his lordship could see just how tired she was.
Despite a clean gown, washing her face and having her hair brushed, Louisa Dembleby looked ragged.
‘Has there been any change?’ he asked.
‘No. She is so uncomfortable, the poor darling, and it seems I can do nothing to make her any better.’ She closed her eyes, and he came forward, took her hands and propelled her to the chair, making her sit.
‘There has been a marked change in you, and not for the better either. My dear, you cannot exist upon no sleep and wrung-out nerves. Emily is going to be ill for a week at least, no doubt, and she will need you. If you do not rest you will be confined to your own bed within two days, and no use to her at all. Is there not someone else who can share the duties? Mrs Goodworth?’
Louisa shook her head. She had dismissed the thought of Hetty, who had never had children, and was very fond of Emily without ever wishing to pet her.
‘No. I … She has no experience of children.’
‘You trust the housemaids?’
‘Not really, but I am sure I can manage on my—’
‘No, you cannot. Think upon it, and be the sensible woman I know you to be. Honestly, if Emily needs to be nursed constantly, you cannot do so alone.’
‘But I have just discounted Hetty and the maids. Who would you suggest? Leece? He remained while I went to 302wash and change this morning.’ She sounded like a petulant child.
‘No. Me. Unless there are spies set upon the house it need not be the talk of Bath. You have a spare chamber, I take it? I also have no experience of children, but I do of nursing sickness. You can ask Mr Gilmorton if you need an affidavit. Fevers are endemic in the Peninsula, and oftentimes we would look after each other to keep, if it was possible, out of the hospitals, for there were often more diseases within their walls than without. I can take my turn of watches, and you can get a little rest, and eat properly, for she will need you fit and able.’
‘You cannot.’
‘If you are thinking of the proprieties—’
‘It is not that. This is not your responsibility. I cannot ask it of you.’
‘You do not. I told you, before you came here, that if there was ever anything I could do to serve you, I would do it. Well, in this I can. It may not be glamorous and dashing, but you can rely upon me; you know you can.’
‘Yes, oh yes, I do know it.’ Louisa’s eyes swam with tears. He was the second man who had told her just that, and meant it, in three hours. ‘Dear sir, it is so kind but …’
‘I will go to my lodging and bring a few necessities, that is all. Thankfully, I have yet to finally give in to my mother and employ a valet. I will not be flaunting my arrival, and I can trust Mr Gilmorton to say I have had to return to my estate for a few days if any ask after me. Mama and my aunt will not spread word, and I am sure you can trust your servants. I am here to serve you by seeing almost 303nothing of you, for if I am upon duty, you are to be getting rest. Understood?’
‘Yes, my lord.’ A small part of her wondered why she did not resent him taking charge, for she felt only immense relief.
‘Good. I will return for one o’clock, when you will go and eat in a normal manner, and take a few hours’ rest upon your bed.’ He sounded so confident it took away her feeling that she was being swept along on something over which she had no control.
He left, and ten minutes later Dr Parry called. He listened to Louisa’s report of the night, gravely but calmly, and examined the still very feverish Emily.
‘There is no change, but then, I would not expect one at this point, ma’am.
Continue as you are doing, and perhaps try steeping mint leaves in near-boiling water for half an hour, and using the cooled “tea” as hydration.
My chief concern is that you do not add yourself to my list of patients by striving for the impossible.
You cannot care for your daughter without ceasing, day and night, Lady Dembleby,’ he chided politely.
‘I prescribe regular meals and rest, for you.’
‘I know. However, I am now to share the task, and will be sure to act sensibly.’ Lord Barkby would not permit her to do otherwise, she thought.
‘Excellent. Well, I will check upon the maid. She appears a strong and generally healthy young woman so I am sure she will do well. I will call again tomorrow. What is odd is that we are seeing measles in May. It is most usually an illness of the winter months, yet I am attending a dozen 304households, and I believe the other practitioners of Bath are being called out to cases. Most unusual.’ He shook his head at the mysteries of contagion, and went to see Betty.
Meanwhile, Lord Barkby was communicating his plan to his parent and aunt, and had written another note to Mr Gilmorton, advising him what to say if his absence was noted. Lady Barkby was distressed for Louisa, but in a vague way, never having seen her own son when he suffered childhood illnesses.
‘But surely she can employ a nurse, Benfield? It is not your responsibility, not your place, to do such a thing. The child is no relation to you.’
‘Not yet, no. I make no bones about my desire to change that, and had it not been for this illness in Emily, I would have made her a declaration last evening, with every hope of being accepted.’
‘It still sounds most irregular.’ Sophia, Lady Beeding, frowned at her nephew.
‘At this moment she has nobody to whom she can turn, except for me, and little Emily knows me, trusts me.’
‘But what will be said? It will lead to the worst possible sort of rumour.’ Lady Barkby wrung her hands.
‘It is unlikely to become known, Mama. I have written to Gilmorton to have him put it about that I am returned to Woodend Hall for some days. The servants here will know no different, and you will hardly broadcast the information. I should think the chances of it reaching the gossips are very small, and the truth is that I am not going to Edward Street to woo a woman but nurse a sick child. 305It is my intention that I rarely encounter Lady Dembleby, for when I am upon watch, she can rest and eat. I would see more of her in a morning at the Pump Room.’