The Midnight Rose

by Lucinda Riley

  ‘It’s not funny really,’ I said eventually, wiping my streaming eyes with the bath towel.

  ‘No, it isn’t,’ Donald said, ‘not at all. Oh, Anni, it’s so wonderful to see you,’ he said as he pulled me to him. ‘Have you missed me as much as I’ve missed you?’

  ‘More,’ I said truthfully, loving the sensation of being once more in his embrace. ‘So, Her Ladyship requests my presence,’ I said as I left his arms to lift you out of the tub.

  ‘She does indeed. I said I wasn’t sure if you would be in, but I’d ride over and leave a message for you anyway. She’d like you to come at your earliest convenience. Perhaps tomorrow morning?’

  ‘I shall have to consult my diary, of course,’ I said, my eyes twinkling as I towelled you dry on my knee. ‘But I’m sure I can squeeze your wife in somewhere.’

  ‘Thank you, Anni,’ he said gratefully. ‘And truly, anything you can do would be appreciated. She’s suffering terribly, poor thing, and making sure everyone knows it.’

  ‘I’ll ride over in the trap first thing tomorrow. Tell her to expect me around nine-thirty,’ I said, as you slid off my knee and toddled over to your father, your arms raised towards him.

  ‘Hug, Mr Don,’ you demanded, and he pulled you up onto his knee.

  ‘How he’s grown in the space of just a few weeks,’ he said, stroking your soft dark hair.

  ‘Yes, he has. He’s talking thirteen to the dozen now too. I’ll ask Tilly to mind him whilst I come up to attend to your wife. As I’m sure you know, she’s no longer working at the Hall. Her husband, Jim, has just received a promotion to assistant postmaster.’

  ‘Perfect, and whilst I’m here –’ Donald dug in his pocket and pulled out some notes from his wallet. ‘There, at least now I won’t need to use Tilly’s husband to deliver this to you in a letter.’ He smiled.

  ‘Thank you.’ It was the moment I hated, but there was currently little I could do to change it.

  ‘Mr Don, hortey?’ you asked expectantly.

  ‘Not today, little man,’ said Donald regretfully, ‘but I promise to take you riding on Sheba next time I visit. Now I must go.’

  Your face dropped, and you toddled after Donald to the door. As I scooped you up into my arms to comfort you, I asked, ‘Will you be there tomorrow with Violet?’

  ‘I feel that in the best interests of all concerned, I should make myself scarce.’

  ‘Yes,’ I said in agreement.

  When Donald had left, I put you to bed and sat by the fire mulling over his astonishing appearance and the reasons for it. Even though I’d laughed initially at the irony of the situation and made light of it with Donald, my senses sang a different emotional tune.

  That night, as I tried to sleep, I heard the singing. It was distant, but it was there. And it warned me that danger was not far off.

  The following day, once I’d deposited you at Tilly’s cottage in the village, I drove the trap up to Astbury Hall. Entering the usual way through the lobby and into the kitchen, I was greeted with welcoming smiles.

  ‘We’re mighty glad to see you, Miss Anni,’ said Mrs Thomas. ‘I said to Her Ladyship that if there was anyone who could help her, it had to be you. Do you think you can? ’Cause I’m running out of ideas to tempt her into eating something.’

  ‘I hope I can, but I’ll have to take a look at her first,’ I said as Ariane, Violet’s new French lady’s maid, arrived in the kitchen to take me upstairs.

  ‘Well, we’re all keeping our fingers crossed. We’re all getting right worried about her,’ Mrs Thomas added.

  ‘I promise to do my best,’ I assured her as I left the kitchen and followed Ariane along the labyrinth of corridors that led to the main entrance hall. As she took me up the staircase, I was agog at the difference in the Hall, and saw that Violet had obviously got her way with the family portraits that led up the grand staircase. They had been replaced with striking works of modern art.

  ‘Wait here, s’il vous plaît,’ said the maid, leading me into a sumptuously furnished sitting room. ‘I will let Her Ladyship know.’

  I noticed that the temperature in the room was that of a furnace, so stiflingly hot, it reminded me of my days in India.

  ‘Her Ladyship will see you now,’ said Ariane, appearing at the bedroom door.

  I followed her tentatively into the room and found it as stuffy as the sitting room next door. My immediate instinct was to open the large windows and let in some fresh air.

  Lying in the four-poster, which was hung on either side with rich brocade drapes, lay a pale figure, dwarfed by the vast size of the bed.

  ‘Hello, Your Ladyship.’ I curtsied. ‘My name is Anahita Prasad. I believe you sent for me.’

  ‘Yes, I did, after hearing the servants talk of your wonderful healing remedies,’ she said in her soft American voice. ‘Please, come closer . . . Ariane, won’t you pull up a chair for Mrs Prasad and she can sit down next to me?’

  Ariane did so, and I sat down, properly studying the woman who was Donald’s wife. She looked so young – barely older than a child herself. With her blonde hair, huge brown eyes and perfect bow-shaped lips set in her white, unblemished skin, she reminded me of a fragile porcelain doll. I could see immediately from her demeanour that she was weak, caused almost certainly by lack of nourishment.

  ‘I’m very glad you’re here, Mrs Prasad, even Dr Trefusis said it couldn’t do any harm to see you.’

  ‘It’s my pleasure, Your Ladyship. I’m sure Dr Trefusis informed you that I have nursing training, as well as the Ayurvedic medicine I practise.’

  ‘Either will do for me, if it’ll make me feel better.’ Violet sighed. ‘I’ve been sick as a dog now for weeks.’

  ‘Now, Your Ladyship, would you mind if I gave you a brief examination?’

  ‘Go right ahead. I’ve been prodded and poked so much recently I lost all dignity long ago.’

  I took time to check Violet’s vital signs, surmising that her pulse was a little fast, although many women’s were during pregnancy, but her temperature was normal and her heartbeat steady and regular. I felt the baby, who seemed to be small for the number of weeks, but was most definitely alive. Violet’s skin was clammy to the touch, but I deduced that was probably more to do with the oppressive heat in the room rather than any medical condition. I then checked under her eyelids and found the tell-tale signs of anaemia.

  Satisfied that I’d completed a thorough examination on both traditional and holistic levels, I washed my hands in the basin on the stand, dried them and sat down.

  Violet had remained silent and compliant throughout the examination, but now I could see that her eyes were expectant.

  ‘Well, I believe I can help you, Your Ladyship.’

  ‘Oh, thank the Lord! I’ve lain here for some days feeling like I was dying.’

  ‘You’re perfectly well, I promise you. Has Dr Trefusis mentioned anaemia to you?’

  ‘No.’ Violet shook her head. ‘His prescription is simply chicken broth, which I loathe and detest. What’s anaemia? Is it serious?’

  ‘Not at all if caught in time and treated. It’s simply the baby depleting your body’s iron stores,’ I explained. ‘It makes you feel sleepy and lethargic, but it’s very easy to put right, I promise you. Your Ladyship, have you ever heard of a drink called stout?’

  ‘Isn’t that something the navvies drink on the docks?’ Violet curled her lips in disgust.

  ‘Yes, but it’s also very good for pregnant women because it contains a lot of iron. It’s not particularly pleasant, but I promise you it will really help. I’ll also ask Mrs Thomas to cook everything you eat in an iron pan. The food soaks up the iron and it’s a natural way of getting the substance into your body.’

  ‘But that’s the whole problem,’ Violet wailed, ‘I simply can’t eat! Even the smell of food makes me feel sick.’

  ‘I think we can deal with that as well. I have some fresh ginger and I’ll bring it over and ask Mrs Thomas to brew you up some tea
from it. It’s wonderful for settling a queasy stomach and will make you feel far less sick. For now, you must drink it at least three times a day.’

  ‘Ginger?’ Violet wrinkled her pretty nose. ‘My, the medicines you’re prescribing are making me feel worse!’

  ‘They won’t, I promise. And I’m also going to mix you up a herbal draught that will not only help the sickness, but will also give you more energy and perhaps bring back a little colour to your cheeks. I’ll put the instructions onto the bottle. And no,’ I said in agreement, ‘that really won’t taste very nice at all. The last thing is, Your Ladyship, that this room is simply too hot. You need to turn the heating down and have some fresh air in here. And also, a short walk every day in the garden to get some exercise will do neither you nor the baby any harm. Lying up here, miserable and alone, is certainly not helping you at all.’

  ‘But it’s so cold outside.’ Violet shivered.

  ‘I know,’ I said, ‘but you can wrap up warmly. And if you do everything I suggest, you’ll soon feel like running around the garden like a spring lamb.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Positive.’

  ‘Okay.’ She sighed, resigned. ‘I suppose I have nothing to lose by trying it your way. None of these things are dangerous for the baby, are they?’

  ‘If they were at all dangerous, Your Ladyship, I wouldn’t give them to you.’

  ‘No, of course not.’ Violet blushed at her tactless remark.

  ‘Now, I’m going to go downstairs and speak with Mrs Thomas. Together, we’ll try to come up with something more tasty but equally as nutritious as chicken broth.’

  ‘Well, that sure would be an improvement.’ Violet shared a conspiratorial glance with me.

  ‘I’ll come back and see you in a few days,’ I said as I stood up. ‘But if you need me before, then send for me.’

  ‘Yes, and don’t worry yourself about riding over to bring the medicines you wish me to take. I’ve troubled you enough and I know from the servants that you have a small child. I’ll send someone to collect them from you this afternoon.’

  ‘Thank you. I’m only too happy to be of some help.’

  ‘Goodbye, Mrs Prasad.’ Violet smiled at me as I walked towards the door. ‘Leave the bill downstairs with the butler.’

  ‘Oh no, I don’t charge. My services are free. Good day, Your Ladyship.’

  Downstairs in the kitchen, I wrote a list of instructions and explained them to Mrs Thomas.

  ‘Well, if all these things you prescribe work, I’ll be the King of England, but seeing as you’ve mended so many of us before, I’m prepared to trust you.’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Thomas. Now, I must go and collect my son from Tilly. He’ll be wondering where I’ve got to.’

  Donald himself rode over to the cottage that afternoon and I gave him the ginger and the herbal remedy I’d made up for Violet to boost her energy levels.

  ‘You should see an improvement in the next few days, if she starts all these things immediately,’ I advised him.

  ‘Thank you, Anni,’ he said as he tucked the ginger and the remedy into his coat pocket. ‘I’ll encourage Violet to do as you say. It’s so awfully good of you to help her, under the circumstances.’

  ‘She’s a human being and she’s suffering,’ I said, as I ushered him to the door. ‘Of course I want to do my best to help her.’

  When I returned to the Hall a week later, I was taken upstairs, but this time, a fully dressed Violet greeted me in her sitting room.

  ‘Mrs Prasad!’ She stood up and walked over to me, then, to my embarrassment, embraced me. ‘You are a miracle worker! Look at me!’

  I did look at her and saw the pink tinge to her cheeks and a new vitality shining in her eyes. ‘It seems you are much recovered.’ I smiled.

  ‘Yes! Although I still can’t quite believe it. At first, having to drink all that disgusting stuff made me sure I was going to get sicker, but I didn’t! And I’ve done as you said, every day, to the letter, and it’s worked! Oh, Anni – may I call you Anni? All the servants seem to – how can I ever thank you?’

  ‘Really, there’s no need. I’m just happy that you’re better.’

  She gestured to me to sit down opposite her in a chair. ‘Dr Trefusis came to see me yesterday and could hardly believe the change. Of course, I told him about you coming to visit and what a tonic you are,’ Violet said, admiration and gratitude in her eyes. ‘I cabled my mother yesterday in New York – she’d been so worried she was about to board the steamer and come over and visit me. But of course, she isn’t well either, so I said that there was no need now and that I was feeling just fine. When she arrives for the birth, perhaps you’d be kind enough to take a look at her too, if she’s not better by then?’

  ‘I’d be glad to, if she wishes it, of course.’

  ‘I’m even feeling as though I can face inviting some of my friends to come and stay with us again. Since I’ve been sick, the house has been empty.’

  I felt gratified by the change in Violet and realised her exuberance today was naturally part of who she was. I liked her for it.

  ‘Well, I’m glad to tell you that you may come off the ginger tea. Take it only if you feel queasy. I’ve given Mrs Thomas some fresh mint leaves, which also help with nausea, and you may find more palatable. But I’m afraid you must continue with the stout.’

  ‘Oh, I’m used to it now. Donny thinks it’s a huge joke to watch me drink it,’ she giggled. ‘Oh, Miss Anni, he’s just been so sweet, so concerned for me. I’d guess he wants to embrace you as much as I do!’

  I held my facial muscles firmly in place at this remark and stood up.

  ‘I must go, there’s a baby in the village I have to visit urgently.’

  ‘Of course.’ Violet stood too. ‘I do hope you can visit me often, and perhaps you’d be able to spare the time to come to one of my dinners.’

  ‘Well –’ I faltered – ‘I couldn’t, I’m afraid. I have a child and no one to leave him with.’

  ‘Yes, Donny told me your husband died. I am so sorry. If your little boy is as good-looking as you, he must be a beautiful child. You have such an exotic quality, I’m green with envy!’

  ‘Thank you . . . you are too kind. Now, I really must go.’

  ‘Perhaps I could come visit you at your cottage and meet your little boy someday too?’ she said as she followed me to the door like an eager puppy. ‘I know so few people around here. All my crowd are in London.’

  ‘I’m often out,’ I said abruptly. ‘Do telephone me first.’

  ‘I will. Goodbye, Anni, and once again, thank you.’

  39

  ‘It seems I have my old wife back,’ said Donald a couple of days later, when he dropped in on a further mission for Violet to present me with an enormous bouquet of flowers, chocolates and champagne. ‘And you have a new admirer.’ He grinned. ‘I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’d be bringing gifts to you from my wife. Life is nothing if not ironic.’

  ‘Yes, that is true,’ I said, trying to stop you from getting your hands into the chocolates.

  ‘You are just wonderful,’ Donald said, giving me a hug. ‘I can’t exactly say your methods are traditional, but long may they reign.’

  ‘They’re certainly traditional in India, and all natural,’ I countered.

  ‘Well, you’re incredibly clever, although I fear there is a downside to this,’ commented Donald. ‘Violet, with her newly returned energy, is racing around at top speed organising goodness knows who to come to stay at the house. She’s obviously making up for lost time. And you know how I dislike her set. But, the good news is –’ he pulled me onto his knee – ‘that I’ve had a reason to visit you.’

  He kissed me, and I put my arms around his neck.

  ‘Yes, that is a very good thing. Although your wife did ask me if she could come to visit me here and meet Moh.’

  ‘Really?’ Donald frowned. ‘What did you say?’

  ‘I said to teleph
one me first because I was often out, but I can hardly stop her, can I?’

  ‘No. Well, that’s going to complicate things. I’m not at all comfortable with Violet knowing exactly where you live.’

  ‘Do you think I am? But what can I do?’

  ‘Nothing, I suppose. Although perhaps it’s best to take that photograph of the three of us down from your bedside table. I mean, she might find that rather odd,’ he quipped with an attempt at humour.

  ‘Please, it isn’t a joke. Violet’s always eaten into my conscience from the start, but now, having to pretend I’m her friend . . .’ I shuddered. ‘It feels all too close for comfort. And besides, Donald, I like her. She’s so sweet, and for all her money, I feel she’s very vulnerable.’

  ‘I know, Anni. Well, let’s hope her attachment to you is temporary. As you seem to have been the only person who’s been able to help her, she’s currently clinging to the idea of you. You’ve become the fount of wisdom for all things to do with pregnancy,’ he grinned. ‘I think Dr Trefusis’ nose is rather out of joint.’

  ‘As a matter of fact, he telephoned me earlier and he’s coming to visit me tomorrow,’ I told him. ‘He said he wanted to see my herb garden and learn more about what I put in my remedies.’

  ‘Really? I’m surprised. I’ve always seen him as rather old-fashioned and narrow-minded.’

  ‘Well, perhaps he is more receptive to new ideas than you thought.’

  ‘I really do wonder whether you should start charging for all this help you give people,’ said Donald. ‘I wouldn’t want to see you taken advantage of.’

  ‘Perhaps, when Moh is older, I’ll think more seriously about the future and take up medicine professionally again. But for now, I’m happy with the way things are.’

  ‘Don’t tire yourself out, will you, darling?’ he said as he stroked my cheek gently. ‘And don’t let my wife bully you into doing anything you don’t want. She can be very persistent.’

  The following day, Dr Trefusis arrived at the cottage. I took him into my small greenhouse and he walked past the ledges full of different specimens, asking me questions about each of the herbs.