Chapter 24
“Where could the doctor be?” Cordelia asked Mrs. Wright as she knelt by Tim’s bed, her hand pressed to his hot forehead.
The older woman looked worried, staring out of the nursery window at the rain beyond. “The physician must be delayed due to the rain. I have not seen it rain like this for a long while.”
When Cordelia had awoken, the rain had been like a mesmerizing rhythm, making everything warm and cozy, with Nicholas in her arms. And then he’d left as if he couldn’t get away fast enough.
She’d risen slowly, dressed, and when she’d come to see the children in their rooms, she was surprised to see Tim still asleep.
But Mrs. Browning was with him, worrying over his bed.
“Oh, Your Grace. I was hoping he would rally before you rose, but he seems to be ill this morning.”
Mrs. Browning had tried to be hopeful, but when Cordelia saw Tim’s heated face and closed eyes, she panicked.
“Send for the doctor, Mrs. Browning,” she’d told the young woman, and the nanny had rushed off.
Since then, Cordelia had not left Tim’s side, feeding him broth, placing a cool compress on his head. But the doctor had not yet arrived. Olivia was playing quietly in the corner, looking sullen. Mrs. Browning was with her, and they spoke little.
She had not changed out of her dressing gown, nor had she done her hair. It hung in a braid off one shoulder, and she could practically feel the dark circles under her eyes as they waited.
“I suppose you’re right,” she told Mrs. Wright. “Well, the only thing we can do is try to get the fever down.”
“I will get more cool water, Your Grace,” Mrs. Browning suggested, getting to her feet. “I nursed all of my siblings at one time or another.”
Cordelia smiled weakly. “You are kind, Mrs. Browning, but I think your presence comforts Olivia. Please. We can have one of the footmen do it.”
She nodded and returned to Olivia’s side, whispering comforts in her ear.
“I will instruct the footman and gather more cloths, Your Grace.”
Cordelia thanked her and turned back to Tim, her hand grasping one of his. His cheeks were pink, and his breath a little raspy. No one had spoken of it, and yet it was in the air. Where was Nicholas?
He is likely indulging himself in his precious business matters and has not even opened my notes.
It felt unfair to the man, for perhaps he might have had some accident in the rain, but she didn’t wish to be fair to him. He had left her in bed, after all that had happened, looking remorseful, with her heart crushed.
Just then, Cordelia jumped when she heard pounding footsteps on the stairs. Her heart leapt with hope that Nicholas had returned and would apologize profusely and help her in this matter.
When he arrived, he threw open the door, a furrow in his brow as he stared into the candlelit room.
He was like a thunderous god, dark hair wet and hanging almost near his shoulders, his clothing soaked through.
She blinked in surprise at the sudden wildness of his appearance as well as her great relief at seeing him.
“Cordelia, what is it?” he asked.
“Nicholas!” Olivia cried, hurrying to her feet and waddling over to him to grasp at his leg.
He looked down at her, and then without hesitation, he lifted her to her feet and came closer. Cordelia’s heart ached in more ways than one.
“Tim is ill, and I’ve sent for the doctor hours ago, but he has not yet come.” Her voice wavered a little with concern. “I sent notes, but I did not hear from you.”
Nicholas cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I did not have time until now. I will go and fetch the doctor myself or see what has befallen him.”
“But Nicholas, the rain!” she said as he handed Olivia to Mrs. Browning and turned towards the door. “He may have had an accident. I do not wish for you to –”
He paused and turned back to her, their eyes meeting. He said nothing for a moment, so much being said in that one look.
“I thank you for your concern, wife, but Tim needs help. I will find the doctor and return as soon as I can. And I know this land like the back of my hand, rain or shine.”
Then, he was gone, hurrying down the steps and away from her. Cordelia sank down in the chair next to Tim’s bed with a sigh, worried now for his safety as well as Tim’s.
“His Grace seems very capable, Your Grace,” Mrs. Browning said helpfully. “I think that all will be well.”
“You’re very kind, Mrs. Browning.” She took up Tim’s hand again. “All will be well, Tim. Your godfather has gone to bring the doctor.”
As they waited, Mrs. Browning tried to take Olivia elsewhere, but she was determined to be with her twin.
Cordelia was too exhausted to fight her, and so they waited in almost silence for the sounds of return.
Mrs. Wright came with cool water and fresh cloths, and Cordelia pressed wet cloths to Tim’s forehead in hopes that somehow, the fever could break, and she could hold him close again and hear his laugh.
Helen, I won’t stop fighting.
But fear lingered in her. To have a fever like this so young could be detrimental and often did not end in survival. But she had to tamp her fears down if she was going to get through it.
Sooner than expected, she heard the thunderous footsteps again, and an old, wizened man appeared at the door, leather bag in hand, looking slightly damp.
“Forgive me, Your Grace. The letter never arrived. Perhaps the messenger lost it in the rain? Please let me see the child.”
Cordelia rose, relief making her shoulders sink and she stood, leaving room for the doctor. She backed away towards the door, her skin noticing the warmth of Nicholas hands on her shoulders.
“Come, love. Let’s leave the doctor to his work.”
She turned away with him and out onto the landing, the door slightly closed. “Olivia won’t leave. Mrs. Browning has tried.”
“Let her stay for now.” Nicholas faced her while she stood facing forward, leaning over the balustrade. She could hear the sound of a slow drip from his clothes onto the floor. He brushed a curl from her cheek to behind her ear, and her heart skipped.
Even while Tim lies ill, my foolish body reacts!
But she knew that it was more than that, that Nicholas was more than that, even though he refused to be a part of it.
“I’m sorry, Cordelia. That I didn’t come until so late. I could have helped you.” His voice was soft as he spoke, and she took a deep, calming breath.
“Why didn’t you answer?” she asked calmly, afraid of what he might say. She did not turn to look at him, afraid all her own resistance would fall to pieces at the wonderful sight of him.
“Things got busy, love. But I’m here now.” He touched her arm, and Cordelia let out another long breath.
She wanted to fight him, wanted to hear more, but instead, she turned to him. “It just matters that Tim gets better. That the doctor can help him. I hope it is not too late.”
Her voice caught, and Nicholas, his eyes tender, pulled her close. Cordelia breathed in and held it, but she didn’t fight as she laid her head on his chest. He was still damp and yet so lovely and warm.
“I know it isn’t good for one so young to have such a fever. And I don’t know how he could have caught it. We’ve worked so hard to keep them safe and happy and healthy. And he can’t leave us, Nicholas. He can’t.”
She closed her eyes as his fingers slid slowly up and down the length of her back, not in a sensual way, only comforting. She felt the vibration of his voice through his chest as he spoke.
“The doctor will tell us just what to do. Tim is strong, like his father. Everything will be all right, my dear.”
She swallowed and nodded, not letting go of him. But when the doctor opened the door, she jumped back as if they were caught doing something untoward, and the doctor cleared his throat. She chided herself for her silly behavior.
Even when I am angry with him, I cannot seem to keep away.
The doctor held his bag and closed it as he left the room.
“The immediate danger has passed, I believe. He will need a lot of rest and fluids. Do as much as you can to keep the fever down, as you have been doing. You must also give him this twice a day.” He lifted a small bottle out, and Cordelia took it from him, her heart leaping with hope.
The doctor glanced back at the room with a frown before he turned to them and lowered his voice. “However, I think you ought to remove the young girl from the room. It could be spread to her, and I wouldn’t want that. Keep them apart for a few days while the boy rests.”
Cordelia’s heart sank. She knew that was a reasonable request, but she did not relish the thought of tearing Olivia away from her brother.
“Very well, doctor. Thank you.”
“I have already given him his evening dose, but be sure to give this to him in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
“I will walk you to the door, doctor,” Nicholas said, and Cordelia let them go while she rushed into the room, grateful to be back at Tim’s side again.
Mrs. Browning smiled. “The doctor seems hopeful, Your Grace.”
“Yes, he does.”
Olivia was at Tim’s bedside, staring up at him, her thoughts of her toys forgotten. Cordelia looked at her, afraid of how she would handle the separation.
It must be done. For her own sake as well as Tim’s. It will just be a few days.
“Did you hear that, Olivia? Tim just needs some rest. That’s all.”
Olivia was frowning, staring at him, poking at his arm. “He’s warm,” she said, and Cordelia nodded, taking Olivia’s hand.
“Yes, but now we have medicine to help him get better. You would like that wouldn’t you?”
Olivia nodded. Cordelia could feel Nicholas before she heard him, standing in the doorway and looking at them all for a few seconds before he spoke.
“My dear Olivia,” he said, coming close, leaning down until he was on a level with her, his eyes looking fondly at Tim before he turned to Olivia.
“Tim is a tired boy right now, and he needs a lot of rest. I thought perhaps, while he is resting, you and I could spend time together. We can eat and play games, and you can sleep by me for a few days. What do you think?”
Olivia’s lip trembled. “I want to see Tim.”
Cordelia’s heart threatened to break as she saw the tears in Olivia’s eyes. But she remained silent, the comforting sound of Nicholas’s calming voice a balm to her. He gave Olivia his most charming smile, and it was as if all the young women in the room let out a collective sigh.
He really does know how to charm with a single look, doesn’t he?
She felt a swell of affection for him, more than affection, but she pushed it down, knowing that he was doing what was best for Olivia and Tim and that was all. She had sent him notes, and he’d waited hours to come. She could not simply forget that.
“I know you do, Olivia. And we will check on him, but you want your brother to get better right?”
Olivia nodded, her lip still trembling, her arm still clutching her cloth lamb.
“Rest and quiet will make him better. Soon enough, he will be back playing with you in the garden. Come. I will ask Cook to make you your favorite biscuits before we go to bed.”
At that, Olivia smiled a little, and when Nicholas rose, she reached up for him, and Cordelia couldn’t help but stare in awe at the ease in which Nicholas reached down and picked her up, swinging her into his arms.
“Mrs. Browning.” He turned to the nanny. “I know that you have just begun and that you have come at a rather stressful time. Feel free to take a few days away, if you like, since I know that Cordelia will wish to remain by Tim’s side while he recuperates.”
Mrs. Browning shook her head. “No, thank you, Your Grace. If it would be all right with you both, I’d like to stay and assist if I can, if for nothing else than to allow you to rest.”
He nodded. “You are very welcome to stay, of course. Cordelia?”
“Yes, of course,” she said, still trying to understand Nicholas in all his confusing, beautiful glory. “You are welcome. We would be glad for the help.”
Mrs. Browning got to her feet with a smile. “Then, I will ask cook for beef tea for Tim. Medicine always works better with a little food.” She curtsied and was gone, leaving Nicholas and Cordelia on their own with the children.
Cordelia’s heart was beating fast as she rose, looking up to meet Nicholas’s eyes.
“Thank you,” she said, and on a foolish impulse, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
He blinked in surprise, but then he took her hand. “You are welcome, love. I am happy you’re letting me do this. I will watch over, young Olivia, won’t I, little one?”
Olivia bounced in his arms. “Biscuits, biscuits!” she said, and Nicholas chuckled.
“Sleep well. Do not forget to eat,” he warned Cordelia.
“You won’t let me,” she said weakly, and he smiled, this time, leaning over her hand to kiss the back of it.
“No, I won’t.”
Their eyes met again for a heated moment, as if he was going to say something else, but then he leaned over to press a hand to Tim’s shoulder instead.
“Rest well, Tim. Soon enough we will be back together outside under the sunshine.”
She watched him leave, shutting the door carefully behind him. She took a breath, and took up Tim’s hand again, her heart full of love for the young children in her care, but her heart full of Nicholas as well.