A Season to Be Sinful (9 page)

Sherrys servants received his valets announcement that there would be additions to the household with equanimity. It said something about the lateness of the hour that there was not even mild rumblings among them. None of them had been awake. To a person they had been roused from their beds to help with the unpacking and make the rooms ready.

Mrs. Ponsonby made her assessment of the patient and suggested quartering her in the same attic room shared by the cooks twin helpers. Theyre decent enough girls, she told Lord Sheridan, and they wont let her stray.

Sherry rubbed the back of his stiff neck and sought a measure of patience. You will put her in my sisters former bedchamber, he said. When her health is improved we will discuss moving her. As to the boys, what arrangements can be made for them?

The housekeeper wanted to suggest that the tower had room enough, but she held her tongue. Theres sufficient space in the cupboard under the stairwell.

Large enough for three? He remembered hiding from his tutor in that cupboard. It was perfectly suited for the purpose to which he put it, but he did not think that it would accommodate three.

Theyll be fine, Ponsonby insisted.

Sherry agreed because he knew the boys would not remain there all night. Very well. See to it. He turned and tiredly mounted the main stairs to his own room.

Kearns was waiting for him with fresh water for performing his nighttime ablutions and clean bedclothes. Sherry was grateful to be able to remove the assaultive odors that clung to his person, though he suspected the memory of them would linger in his nostrils for days. Holborn was not so easily shed as his clothes.

He desired nothing so much as to lift the covers that had been invitingly pulled back and crawl under them but permitted himself only a brief glance of longing. He asked for his robe instead and slipped into it when Kearns held it out. Find your own bed, he told his valet. I am for mine as soon as I see that our guest has been made comfortable.

If your lordship doesnt mind, Ill tidy first.

Sherry offered a slight smile. As you wish. He left the room and went down the hall and across it to the room his sister occupied before her marriage. He supposed Cybelline might have something to say about the use he was making of her old bedchamber, but she had a kind heart and would acknowledge that she really no longer had any say in the matter. Her concern, should she ever be in a position to raise it, would be that he was not fully in command of his faculties. She would look at the pathetic creature lying on the bed and demand that he account for his thinking on bringing the thing about. A bit drafty in the upperworks, arent you? shed say.

All things considered, hed have to concur.

He waved the maid and Mrs. Ponsonby away from the bed while he leaned over it. She looked smaller and even more fragile against the expansive background of the crisp white sheet and lacy pillow shams.

What is it? he asked when the housekeeper cleared her throat behind him.

Id like to have one of the girls wash her hair on the morrow. The paste thats been mucked over it is staining the good linens.

Dr. Harris will be here. You can put your question to him. I do not know what he will think about her having a wet head. He wants to bleed her.

Ponsonby wondered that the woman had any to give, but this observation was not spoken aloud. Will there be anything else?

No. You can go.

The housekeeper hesitated, waiting for Sheridan to step away from the bed also. When he didnt, she realized it was not his intention to leave so quickly. She nudged the maid at her side and indicated they should leave. The maid would have liked to have caught her eye, but Ponsonby would not disrespect the viscount by entertaining speculation with an underling. She would have a word with Kearns later and see if the man would tell her what was toward.

When he was alone, Sherry drew the rocker abreast of the bed and sat. She appeared to be all of a piece to him but knew himself reluctant to leave her alone. He supposed he could have had the maid remain with her, but then the children would not have been able to take up their vigil. The maid was certain to disturb everyones slumber if they tried.

For a time he was content to observe her sleep; then at last he rose from the chair and went to find the comfort of his own bed and dreamless repose.

Sherry resisted the idea of waking. He shook off the hand on his shoulder and turned over, burying his face in his pillow. There was more pounding, this time at the center of his back. He cursed his valet roundly and threatened to let him go without a character.

Gods truth, Sherry protested. It is not yet daybreak.

She must ave the doctor, he said. She must ave the doctor. She must ave the

Sherry groaned loudly. The chanting was making his head pound. Have off, Kearns. I cant He stopped, understanding at last the meaning of the words. He struggled to rise under the heavy weight on his back.

Midge pitched to the floor as Sheridan threw him off. He scrambled to his feet without any complaint for the bump to his head. Come, guvnor. He grasped Sherrys hand and tugged. This way. She must ave the doctor.

Sherry stood, shook off the dregs of sleep like a sheepdog shakes off the wet, and allowed Midge to lead him from his bedchamber. Not surprisingly, Dash and Pinch were hovering beside her bed.

Its the fever, Pinch said. He held up a candle so Sherry could see for himself that her condition had worsened. Shes shakin wi it, sir.

So were the bed curtains. Sherry cautioned Pinch to hold the candle steady and have a care not to drip wax on her. He pulled back the covers and laid his hand lightly over the bandaged wound. He could feel the heat of the fever through her nightshirt. Calculating how long it would take to rouse Harris and bring him to the house, Sherry realized they had no time for indecision. His tone was brisk, decisive, and brooked no argument.

Midge, do you know where the footmen sleep?

Aye, mlord.

Good. Wake Dunnet and say I have need of him. If he tries to clobber you, have at him the way you did me. He turned to Dash as Midge ran off. Do you remember the location of the library? Dash assured him that he did. Bring a decanter of spirits here. To Pinch he said, There should be a basin and pitcher of water in the dressing room. He did not have to say any more.

Sherry turned back to his patient. He raised her gown the least amount that was necessary to permit him to reveal the bandage. Slipping two fingers under the strip of cloth, he began to gingerly peel it back. Harris had applied a poultice to the wound during his afternoon visit. He informed Sherry that its purpose was to draw the poison and keep out the foul air. Sherrys observation was that its effect was exactly the opposite. He removed the poultice and smelled the malodorous vapors escaping.

Pinch wrinkled his nose as he presented the water-filled basin and cloths to Sheridan. He accepted the poultice in exchange and dropped it into the chamber pot in the dressing room. When he returned to the bedside, Sheridan was wiping seepage from the wound. Its bad, isnt it? We should

ave left er where she was. Leastways it was wot she was used to. That counts for something.

Sherry was not sure that Pinch wasnt right. To distract them both, he asked, How long have you known her?

Pinch shrugged. Most o me life it seems. Ard for me to remember a time when she wasnt at the Blue Ruin.

I see.

If yell pardon me for speaking plainly, Pinch said, then went on without any allowance from Sherry that he should do so, its been my experience that most people dont see at all when they say that.

And you have a great deal of experience.

More than yer lordship, Id wager.

It would be an interesting wager, Sherry decided. How did you become her pupil?

Oh, theres nuthin ard to understand abou it. She coaxes us in with sweet words and a proper warm meal, and then she gets us to do things for er. Cant refuse, really. She as a sweet voice, though dont expect ye know that about er, and she just gives ye the urge to want to please er. Even Bluell do things for er, and most folks in Holborn think es a proper villain. E give er a room of er own to use.

Sherry saw the blood around her wound was flowing clear again. He staunched it with a clean cloth. Then she lives there.

No. E give er a room to use, not to live in. Didnt ye ear me say es a proper villain? Lets out is rooms, but e gives er one when theres one gone beggin.

I see, Sherry said quite deliberately.

Pinch frowned, uncertain how to take Sheridans comment. He thought he saw one corner of his lordships severe mouth lift ever so slightly, but he couldnt be sure. He was saved from making any reply with the arrival of Dash.

Sherry saw the decanter and realized Dash had managed to seize his only bottle of French brandy. Wouldnt Blue Rutland love to see him weep over it. Bring it here, lad. Youve good taste in drink.

Smelled them all, Dash said proudly. This is what Blue gave Dr. Arris.

Sherry almost groaned aloud. So it wasnt happenstance at all; the urchin had a nose for the bouquet. Serves me right for having the stuff, Sherry said under his breath. He passed the basin to Pinch and took the decanter from Dash. He was tempted to take a swallow for himself but resisted. He soaked the last clean cloth he had with a generous pour of brandy and pressed it against the wound.

She bucked, almost dislodging him from the bed. Midge arrived in that moment, Dunnet on his heels. The footman saw the problem and went to stop her from thrashing his master.

Sherry waved him aside. Dont worry about me. I want you to wake Dr. Harris and ask him for the vial of medicine he poured into her wound this afternoon. If he doesnt have any more, make him give you the name of the apothecary. Bring that vial here. Also, a tincture of laudanum would not be amiss.

Dunnet started to go, then paused. You dont want me to bring the doctor himself?

Sherry shrugged. If he wants to come, I wont turn him out. Go on. Go. Pinch, come closer. Take her hand. Perhaps it will calm her. Pinch did as he was told while Sherry removed himself from the bed. He padded into the dressing room with the basin, emptied it, and poured fresh water from the pitcher. He searched the cupboard and found more cloths. When he returned to the bed, Pinch was no longer the only one at her side. Dash had her other hand in his, and Midge was sitting at her feet.

Do you say prayers for your Miss Rose? Sherry asked. They could certainly do no harm. Their silence did not trouble him; their guilty exchange of glances did. What is it?

Midge bent his head and stared at his hands. Lily, he said.

Midge! Pinch snapped at him.

Midge! Dash cried.

Midge? Sherry asked softly. What is this about Lily?

Pinch and Dash tried to talk over him, but Sherry wouldnt let them. Squeezing cool water from a wet cloth, he quelled them with a glance. Say what you like, Midge.

The boy looked neither right nor left at his friends but directly at Sherry. Er name is Lily. It is er own name, er secret name. Not many know it, but God does, and we should use it proper when we talk to Im.

Lily. Sheridan looked from Midges earnest face to the young womans deeply flushed one. Beads of perspiration were visible above her lip. The impossibly dark hair lay damp against her scalp and forehead. Lily, he repeated, and permitted himself a small smile as he wiped her brow and an errant thought crossed his mind.

Ere now, wots this? Pinch demanded, his dark eyes narrowing on Sheridans smile. Wots amusin about er name?

Not a thing, Master Pinch. I was thinking that Shakespeare was in the right of it when he penned, Whats in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Pinch frowned deeply as he considered the import of what Sheridan was saying.

Sherry was careful not to allow his smile to deepen. It means that whether Rose or Lily, she is still the same person.

Oh, I understood that well enough. It was wot you said about er smellin sweet that didnt set right wi me.

Sherrys sudden bark of laughter caused all three boys to rear back in surprise. In turn, their wide-eyed, open-mouthed expressions made it difficult for him to rein in his amusement. For Sherry, there was no clearer indication of how tired he was than to have to work at tempering his laughter. It required looking down at Lily to sober him. There was nothing about her condition that invited amusement, and her gravely still features and the protective hovering of the boys was a forceful reminder.

He bent his head to feel her breath on his cheek. At this angle he could once again make out the shallow rise and fall of her chest.

Is she all right? Dash asked. I mean, shes not

Shes sleeping, Sherry told him. He had no better description for her condition. If you boys want to remain here, then bring the bedding Ponsonby gave you. You can make pallets on the floor. There is nothing more to be done until Dunnet returns with the medicine. Sherry hoped they would be sleeping soundly by then and would not have to witness her agony of feeling as he applied it. Go on. Im not going to leave her.