by Vikki Vaught
“Until his fever comes down, you need to bathe him in tepid water every four hours. Change his linens after each bath and keep him still, to give his wound a chance to heal. I’m hoping your presence will help calm him. If it does, we can remove the restraints.”
A moan from Andrew drew her to his side. She stroked his brow, smoothing an errant curl back from his face. While warm, his forehead didn’t scorch her hand as she had expected. Surely that was another good sign.
“I’m here, my love. I shall take care of you.”
His lids flickered then opened, revealing his feverish blue eyes. “Kathleen?” he croaked out, “Is it really you, or are you…a figment of my imagination? It must be my mind…playing tricks on me for surely…you hate me.”
She bent and kissed his fevered forehead, then clasped his hand to her breast. “Never, my lord. Please don’t worry. I could never hold you in anything but the greatest of favor. I’ve come to nurse you back to health. Rest and be at peace. I shall remain at your side, unless you tell me otherwise.”
“Kath…Kathleen…I…so glad you’re here.” His eyes closed, and a smile turned up the corners of his mouth as he fell asleep.
The surgeon stepped forward and cleared his throat. “I shall take my leave and will return in the morning to check on his lordship. I’m sure I leave him in capable hands. Your arrival appears to have calmed him already.”
Kathleen turned to him. “I pray that be the case. Thank you, Mr. Sanders, for all you are doing for my husband. I will do as you suggested.”
He bowed and left the room.
Tired beyond exhaustion, she sank into the chair beside the bed. Lord Renwick stepped forward. “Please, my lady. I shall sit with Billingsley so you can find your rest.”
“Thank you, my lord, but I shall not leave his side. I appreciate your offer. However, I will be fine. I would like to be alone with my husband.”
Bowing low over her hand, he replied, “As you wish. I shall be downstairs in the study if you have need of me.” Then he quit the room.
Ensley stepped forward. “Would you like me to leave as well, your ladyship?”
“Yes. Please return in three hours so you can assist me with Lord Billingsley. In the meantime, I recommend you try to rest. I thank you for caring for my husband.”
After the valet left, her maid arrived with a tea tray and set it on the table in front of the sofa. “I’ve brought you something to eat, my lady. How can I be of further assistance?”
Kathleen stood and moved over to the sofa, then sat and poured herself a cup of tea. “Please, go get my nightclothes. After I’ve eaten and dressed for the night, you may seek your bed. I shall be spending the night with my husband. If I need you again, I shall ring.”
“Certainly, my lady.” Then Louise hurried from the room to do her bidding.
Her maid had returned by the time she’d finished eating and helped her don her nightclothes. Once Kathleen was settled, sated, and alone, she sighed heavily, weariness pervading her being.
At least she had managed to keep her food down since that had troubled her during the trip. Now that she’d arrived in town and had seen Andrew, her stomach should settle.
She stood and moved to the bed and touched her husband’s brow. There was no change, which she took as a blessing. While he still felt warm, his fever hadn’t gone higher. She settled in the chair, leaned back against the cushions, and closed her eyes.
Her eyes flashed open when she heard her name. Andrew groaned. “Kath…Kathleen, please…forgive me!”
While he tried to thrash around, he was still tied to the bed, so he couldn’t do any damage. His eyes remained closed. He must be dreaming. She stood and touched his brow. She gasped at the scorching heat that met her hand. Glancing over at the heavy brass clock on the mantel, she checked the time. Three hours had passed. Ensley should have returned by now to help her give him another tepid bath. She hurried to the door, threw it open, and a footman sat snoring in a chair by the door.
She cleared her throat in such a way that it would startle the footman awake. He jumped up as he stammered, “I-I’m sorry, my lady.”
“Never mind that now. Go get Ensley immediately.”
“Right away, ma’am,” he murmured and dashed away. Kathleen returned to the room, wet a cloth and pressed it to her husband’s fevered brow. Andrew continued to thrash around.
Gently clasping his hand, she soothed, “Shhh, my love. I’m here.”
“Hot.” His eyelids flickered, but didn’t open. “Hot!” he shouted as he strained against the bindings that anchored him to the bed.
Please Lord, don’t let him die.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Kathleen jerked the covers down as Ensley came bursting through the door. “Excuse me, your ladyship. I apologize for being late. Is something amiss?”
“His fever has gone up again. Help me bathe him. We must try to get it under control.” They worked tirelessly over the next several hours, but to no avail. Andrew’s temperature climbed higher, and his delirium worsened. Each time he called her name, a knife pierced her heart.
When Ensley removed her husband’s bandage, the smell of putrid flesh assailed her senses. Her hands shook and her heart pounded as she saw pus oozing from the wound in his side. Since dawn had broken, Kathleen sent for Renwick, who in turn, sent for the surgeon.
After what seemed like an eternity, when in actuality, it had been less than an hour, Mr. Sanders arrived. After he examined the wound, he shook his head. “Your ladyship will want to leave while I tend your husband.”
“I will not leave his side.”
The surgeon met her gaze. “What I must now do is not a sight you will want to see.”
“What do you mean?” Fear caused her voice to sound louder than she had intended and set her pulse racing. “I demand you tell me what it is you must do.”
Mr. Sanders sighed. “Since you insist. I must re-open the wound and drain out the poisons, then cauterize it, or your husband will surely die.”
The image of what he planned to do invaded her mind. She shuddered and her whole body started to shake. Renwick placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come, my dear. You and I will wait in the hall while the—”
“No,” she bit out through clenched teeth. “I will not leave my husband to endure such pain without me at his side.” Kathleen held her back ramrod straight as she looked over at the surgeon. “Get on with it. I shall be fine.” She moved around the bed and took Andrew’s limp hand in hers. “You may begin.”
Mr. Sanders shook his head, then opened his bag and removed a good-sized, silver-bladed knife. After wiping it with a clean cloth, he sliced it across the wound and Andrew cried out. His screams pierced her soul. The surgeon cut away the putrid flesh, while her husband continued to scream, until he finally slumped against his pillows, unconscious.
Once the surgeon finished that part of the surgery, he wiped the blade clean and placed it in the open flame of a candle, waiting until the knife glowed red. Then he moved the blazing hot blade around the open wound. It sizzled and the smell of burning flesh permeated the air. Her innards rolled, but she refused to lose the contents of her stomach. Andrew went rigid under her hand and his terror-filled eyes shot open, meeting her gaze. Unable to endure anymore, she fell as darkness descended.
Kathleen awoke in her own bed. As sleep lifted, the horror of what Andrew had endured flared across her mind. She shot up and looked around. Sun poured in from the open window.
Louise moved to her bedside with a worried look, crinkling her forehead. “Oh, my lady. Thank the Lord, you’ve awakened at last.”
“What do you mean at last?” Fear clogged her throat, making it hard to get the next words out. “My husband. Does he live?” Her maid hesitated. Kathleen’s heart thundered in her chest. “Speak. Tell me!”
“He still lives,” Louise assured her.
She heard something in her maid’s voice that sent a chill racing down her spine. “Get my dressing
gown. I must go to him at once.” As she slipped her arms into the robe, she asked, “How long did I sleep?”
“More than a day, your ladyship.”
“What? Oh, good Lord.” Kathleen raced from her chamber to Andrew’s and burst through the door. The surgeon turned toward her as she rushed to her husband’s bedside.
The pallor of his face sent terror galloping through her body. Her heart beat so hard and fast she feared it would crash through her breast. “Mr. Sanders. How is he?” she asked trying to keep her voice from shaking as her body did.
The surgeon bowed. “Your ladyship. He’s had a restless night. However, I’ve cleaned his wound, and it’s not as red and swollen as yesterday. His fever has abated somewhat; he may yet recover. My prognosis is much improved from yesterday morning.”
She touched Andrew’s forehead and her heartbeat slowed. “I pray that it be so,” she whispered. Then realizing she stood in front of the man in a state of dishabille, she lowered her head to hide her flushed cheeks. “I shall return to my chamber. Thank you for seeing to my husband’s welfare. Excuse me.”
Kathleen exited the room with as much dignity as she could muster—considering her state of undress—and returned to her chamber. When she entered, her maid had a breakfast tray waiting. After she broke her fast and dressed for the day, she returned to Andrew’s chamber. Thank goodness, Mr. Sanders was no longer there. At least she had most of the day to gain her composure before she had to face him again.
She spent the afternoon at her husband’s side doing needlework. As much as she usually enjoyed reading and detested sewing, she had to keep her hands busy. Her mind was entirely too unsettled to absorb the content of a book, even one of her gothic novels.
She helped Ensley bathe Andrew, and the sight of his diminished body caused her heart to ache. He had a lean, muscular frame, so he didn’t have much flesh he could afford to lose. She was much relieved when they changed his bandage. The angry red lines and the enflamed puffy skin were gone, leaving pink flesh exposed. No doubt, the scaring would be horrendous. However, that was the least of her worries now. All that mattered was that he be restored to her.
Late in the afternoon, as she stroked his brow with a cool cloth, Andrew’s eyes flickered, then opened. “Kathleen? You’re really here?”
“I’m here, my darling. How do you feel?” she asked, encouraged by the rational tone of his voice.
“Truthfully? As if a stampede of horses ran over me.” He tried to lift his hand. “Why am I tied to the bed?”
She hurried around to all four corners on the bed, loosening the scarves holding him to the posts. “You’ve been out of your head for days. We feared you would injure yourself if allowed to thrash around as you were.”
“Good Lord. How long have I been like this?”
Once his right hand was loose, she clasped it to her breast. “Since the attack ten days ago. I arrived late Friday night and you took a turn for the worse in the wee hours of the following morning.” She shivered as if someone had walked over her grave when she recalled what the surgeon had done. Thank goodness, it had worked. With tears blurring her vision, she stroked his face and whispered, “I’m so grateful you’re at last lucid. Yesterday morning, I greatly feared you would not survive.”
Andrew’s eyes softened. “Never fear, my sweet. I shall be up and about in no time. Does this mean you’ve forgiven me?”
Kathleen’s voice broke as she rained kisses upon his hand. “Oh, Andrew, it is I who needs to ask you for your forgiveness. Obviously, you haven’t had a chance to read my letter.”
“I haven’t heard anything from you since you left the house party. I assume since you’re here, you’ve decided to hear me out?”
No longer able to contain her tears, several rolled down her cheeks as she fervently replied, “Oh, yes, Andrew. Once I moved past the shock and hurt of what I saw that night, I realized if the tables were turned, I would have expected you to give me the chance to explain. I showed a complete lack of trust in you, which was not well done of me.”
He squeezed her hand, and then stroked her cheek, wiping a tear away. “Shhh, sweetness. Don’t cry. I’m just thankful you’re willing to listen to me now.” He met her gaze, and his eyes burned bright with sincerity. Her heart sped up, and she caught her breath as she waited for him to continue. “I promise. I didn’t return that woman’s kiss. She accosted me at the same moment you entered the conservatory. By the time I pushed her away, you’d fled. As I told you before, I have not, nor will I ever violate my wedding vows.”
A sick feeling settled in her stomach and goose bumps raced up her arms. Oh, Lord. It was her fault. “Oh, Andrew, if I hadn’t written you that letter telling you to go to London, you wouldn’t have been attacked.” More tears fell, and she attempted to get up.
He caught her hand, pulling her down next to him. “It’s not your fault. No one is to blame, other than the thugs who attacked me. For that matter, I should have waited for a hackney and not walked alone in that part of town. We could both blame ourselves, but that would not make what happened go away. It will only make both of us miserable. Let us put this behind us and start anew. Will you do that for me?”
He closed his eyes and his jaw tightened. Beads of sweat formed on his brow. “Andrew what’s wrong?” She reached for the damp cloth on the nightstand and wiped it across his forehead. “You’re not up to having this discussion. Sleep, now. We’ll talk more when you’re stronger.”
“Tell me we can begin again, please? Then I shall rest.”
“Of course, my dear. We shall start over. As if none of this ever happened. I promise.”
Then his brow relaxed and his hand went limp as he fell asleep. She sat with him the rest of the afternoon and well into the evening. He awoke as day turned to night, and she fed him some gruel. He was still too weak to continue their discussion.
At eleven o’clock, his valet came into the room, and Kathleen arose from her chair. “Oh, Ensley, his lordship is much improved. His fever has broken, and he even ate something. Isn’t that wonderful news?”
Relief swept across his face, and he beamed. “That is excellent news, Lady Billingsley. I’m sorry I deserted you this afternoon. When I went to my room earlier, I fell asleep and only awoke a few minutes ago.”
Kathleen smiled. “There’s no need for you to apologize. I’m pleased you took your rest. You needed it. I can’t express how thankful I am to you for taking such fine care of my husband.”
The valet bowed to her and said, “It’s my duty and my pleasure, ma’am. I’ve taken care of your husband since he was a young lad and have watched him grow into an honorable gentleman. I respect him tremendously, as do the rest of the staff. We couldn’t ask for a better employer. We’re praying fervently for his recovery.”
“The prayers are much appreciated. I’m thrilled you feel that way towards my husband. Everyone on staff has been so accommodating to me since I arrived. It means so much to me and has helped me through this difficult time.” Kathleen stood. “I think I’ll retire to my chamber and freshen up. I shall return in an hour.”
“Your ladyship, please, why don’t you rest for a while? I’ll watch over his lordship for you.”
“Thank you, Ensley. I think I will rest for a few hours. Please send for me if my husband awakens before my return.”
When Kathleen entered her chamber, her maid helped her change into her night rail, and then she sent her away. After she crawled into bed, she laid her head on her pillow, allowing her mind to drift back to her conversation with Andrew.
It was as she had suspected. Lady Holcombe had accosted her husband. If she’d listened to him instead of impulsively leaving the house party without talking to him, he would not have been injured.
Thank goodness his fever had finally broken and he should recover completely. She would never be able to live with herself if Andrew died. He’d become her heart and soul.
As Andrew stated earlier, blaming herself would not help
him recover and that had to be her main objective. The important thing…he would recover. A new start was what they both needed. She would put this behind her and move forward with her original plan to make Andrew fall in love with her. It had to mean something that he had called for her in his delirium. He must have feelings for her. She just needed to figure out how to get him to admit to them.
Exhaustion slipped in and she closed her eyes, falling asleep while dreaming of the day when her husband would tell her he loved her.
****
Andrew awoke and looked over at the chair by his bed to find his valet sound asleep. His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. Had he imagined Kathleen? No, she had definitely been with him in the night. She must have gone to her bedchamber. He sighed as he settled against his pillow. A surge of adrenaline raced through his body. At last, she knew what had happened and had agreed to begin anew. Now, he could woo her properly. Well…as soon as he was back on his feet he could. Pleased by this, he smiled and plotted a plan.
He would call for his secretary. He would send the man to his jeweler and have him purchase a gold topaz brooch for his lovely wife. He would also have him order several dozen yellow roses for Kathleen. No wait, roses were too ordinary. Everyone sent roses. He would send English daisies, since she had mentioned how much she loved them. Even though he may not be able to do any of this himself, he wanted to show her how much he cared.
Pleased that he had figured out how to begin wooing his wife, his mind turned to his injury. Curious to find out the extent of his wound, he lifted the covers, looked at the bandage, and gasped. How big was the wound? It covered a good portion of his stomach, wrapping around his side. He tried to recall the events of that night, but all he could remember was the dastardly man plunging the knife in while the other villain held him.
He attempted to pull himself into a sitting position and shards of stabbing pain slammed through him. A groan slipped out. While Ensley stirred, he did not awaken. His valet must be exhausted since he’d been the primary person attending to his care. He would let the poor man sleep. Closing his eyes, he leaned against the pillow and allowed sleep to overtake him again.
