“And without any proof, she was let go?”
“The proof was Vicky’s word against hers.” He cocked his head slightly to the right. “You must understand, in this family, a Whitley’s word will always hold more weight than anyone else’s.”
“I see.” Judith could well imagine that Victoria learned this early on and used it to her advantage.
A wave of dizziness washed over her. She closed her eyes as the pain in her head increased.
“Are you all right?”
“It’s probably nothing.” She opened her eyes, relieved that the world had righted itself.
“There is a bit of influenza going around. Someone mentioned it last night at the dinner. You might have a touch of that.”
“I hope not. I don’t want to ruin Easter for Grandmother. She has a great many plans for me.”
“Indeed she does, and Easter is only the beginning. She’s planning to host a debut for you next month. It will be quite the rage, and everyone in the city will be vying for an invitation. Watching San Francisco’s social elite work to earn our grandmother’s favor can be highly amusing.”
Judith tried to smile, but the dizziness was back. “I’m sorry, Bill. I think I’ll retire to my room. I wouldn’t want to expose you if I’ve managed to catch sick.”
She got up and held on to the table for a moment while the world spun.
Bill stood and took hold of her arm. “I’ll help you upstairs.”
“Oh, that isn’t necessary. I’m sure I’ll be all right.” She turned to leave, but her knees gave way.
Bill caught her and lifted her into his arms. “You aren’t all right.” His expression was filled with grave concern. “I’ll get you upstairs and then have Ramsay ring for the doctor.”
He carried her into the house, and Judith felt so weak that she did nothing but close her eyes and hold on to him.
“What’s this?” Grandmother asked.
Judith opened her eyes. “I’m afraid I’m not well.”
“She might have that influenza that’s going around,” Bill added.
“Oh, dear. I’ll have Ramsay get the doctor. Bill, you put her right to bed, and I’ll ring for Sarah to see to her.”
He nodded and headed for the stairs. “What did she think I was going to do, deposit you on the steps?”
Judith couldn’t help but smile. “She lives to order people around.”
Chuckling, Bill started up the stairs. Judith looked down, feeling even more dizzy. She prayed he wouldn’t drop her and held on a little tighter.
“Don’t worry. You don’t weigh anything at all. I won’t lose my grip.” He smiled down at her. “Besides, this is rather pleasant. I like holding you.”
She didn’t have the energy to argue with him. Her head hurt worse than ever, and the dizziness was coming in regular waves.
Sarah met them at her suite door. “Mrs. Whitley said you were sick.”
Judith nodded. “I’m afraid so.” She handed Sarah the room key. “Here.”
“What’s that for?” Bill asked. “Why have you locked your room?”
“It’s a long story. I’m afraid I’m not up to the telling.”
His brows knit together, and his eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Judith wondered if he would tell Grandmother what she’d done, but her physical miseries didn’t allow her to dwell on the matter.
Within twenty minutes, the doctor arrived and examined her. He was an older man—probably as old as Grandmother. He poked at her and listened to her heart, then looked into her eyes and throat before stirring up some sort of concoction in a glass of water.
“You need to drink this,” he instructed.
Judith found it difficult to even hold the glass, but she did as he commanded, then fell back against the pillow. The room tilted back and forth in rhythm to the pounding pain in her head.
“I wouldn’t worry,” he told Grandmother, who had refused to leave Judith’s side. “I’ll leave some of these powders for her. Give her tea and toast, but nothing else until I see her tomorrow.” He took the glass from Judith and placed it on the nightstand.
“Can she have sugar in her tea?” Grandmother asked, looking down at Judith. “She enjoys her tea with sugar.”
“Of course. I think that’s just fine. I find sugar can have curative powers.” The old bearded man put his instruments back into his black bag.
Judith was glad when Grandmother instructed Sarah to show him out. She instantly fell asleep.
Camri pulled on her gloves. “Caleb saw Judith Monday, and she was fine, but I haven’t heard anything from her since. When I called, they wouldn’t let me talk to her, so I don’t think we have a choice.”
“I know, but couldn’t we wait for Caleb?” Kenzie asked.
“I know Caleb wanted to go yesterday, but his business with Spreckels and Judge Winters has kept him busy all week. I would have asked Patrick, but he’s been working night and day on the warehouse.”
“I suppose we might as well go, then.”
Camri secured her hat with a long pin. “I feel we must. Something may be wrong, and we certainly don’t want to wait.”
“I can’t imagine her not contacting us,” Kenzie said, adjusting her hat.
“Well, I’m glad you’re coming with me. I know you must be tired after working all day, but I’d rather there be two of us. Strength in numbers, you know.”
Kenzie gave a slight nod. “I have the rest of the week off for Good Friday and Easter. Cousin George was planning to use the time to go over all the wiring in the factory. He’s such a worrywart. But I suppose we’re all doing a great deal of fretting.”
“Perhaps, but I don’t think it’s unmerited in our case.”
Camri knew from Caleb that Mrs. Whitley was becoming more and more demanding of Judith. She knew too that Judith had threatened to up and leave if Mrs. Whitley didn’t allow her more say. A woman like Mrs. Whitley wouldn’t like being dictated to, and if Judith continued to hold her ground, Camri feared Mrs. Whitley might very well seek to impose her will upon Judith.
She and Kenzie walked the hilly distance to the Whitley mansion in silence. Both were worried and knew that speaking about it would only make matters worse. Camri thought of the first time they’d met Judith at the railway station in Denver. She was so quiet and confused by the city. Camri feared she might never have found her train, much less her way in San Francisco, had it not been for their help.
Camri rang the bell, and after a lengthy wait was about to ring again when the butler opened the door.
“We’re here to see Judith,” Camri declared.
The butler frowned. “Mistress Judith is ill, as is Mrs. Whitley and Master Bill. I’m afraid we cannot allow anyone to visit. The doctor has ordered no visitors. He believes it could be highly contagious.”
Camri shook her head. “What’s wrong with them?”
“The doctor is uncertain.”
“If that’s the case, then perhaps there isn’t the risk he suspects.”
The butler gave her a blank look. Camri could see that he wasn’t going to allow them entry and that further arguments weren’t going to sway him.
“Very well. I’ll check on her tomorrow.” She saw Kenzie open her mouth to speak, but Camri smiled and pulled her away from the door. “Don’t say anything,” she whispered.
They were halfway down the drive before Camri let go of Kenzie’s arm. “I think they’re hiding something.”
“Then why didn’t you insist we be allowed in?”
“They’re a powerful family. No doubt they have more than enough servants to keep us out. I think we need to tell Caleb what’s going on and let him handle it. Maybe he and Micah can come. After all, Micah is a doctor, and Caleb is Judith’s lawyer. Caleb can insist and no doubt gain entry.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I can’t imagine that he would let the matter go. He cares very much for Judith, whether he’ll admit it or not.”
“He does?” K
enzie looked at her in wonder. “That’s good, because Judith is head over heels in love with him.”
“How do you know that?”
“She told me. It was love at first sight. She completely lost her heart.”
That brought a smile to Camri’s face. Her biggest concern was that Caleb’s feelings would never be returned. “Well, that’s a huge relief. I can’t believe I didn’t see it. I mean, I’ve always thought she would make someone a wonderful wife. I probably even considered the two of them to be well suited, but this is welcome news.”
“So long as she recovers. What if Judith is desperately ill?” Kenzie asked. “There has been an awful lot of sickness going around.”
Camri nodded. “Once we get Caleb and Micah involved, we’re sure to get to the bottom of it.”
CHAPTER
22
We’re here to see Judith.” Caleb met the butler’s blank stare. “This is Dr. Fisher, her personal physician, and as you know, I am her lawyer. I insist we be allowed to see her.”
“I cannot admit you, sir. The doctor is concerned about the contagiousness of the illness.”
“But I am a physician,” Micah protested. “I take these risks all the time, and Mr. Coulter is aware of the situation.”
Caleb frowned at the butler. “I can return with an order from the court.” He wasn’t entirely sure that could be done, since it was Good Friday, but he felt compelled to threaten it nevertheless.
“That won’t be needed,” another man said, coming to door. “Ramsay, go about your work. I will show the gentlemen to Judith’s room. I’m her uncle, William Whitley.”
Caleb considered the stocky but fashionably dressed man. William Whitley bore the trappings of wealth, but his demeanor was far less intimidating than most of those Caleb had met.
“Thank you, Mr. Whitley. I’m concerned about Judith’s health, and Dr. Fisher has treated her before. He’s familiar with her, and it would be a relief to us, her friends, to have him confirm your physician’s diagnosis.”
“I can understand that.” William led them upstairs. “My own son, Bill, was sick for a couple of days, but he’s much improved. I’m hopeful the same will be true for Judith.”
“And your mother?”
William stopped at the top of the stairs. “My mother is quite old, and the doctor informs me she wasn’t in the best of health even prior to this. Of course, she didn’t bother to tell us. She has to have her secrets.” He started walking again and led them to the left. “This is Judith’s suite.” He knocked on the door.
A maid dressed in a uniform of black and white appeared. “Yes, Mr. Whitley?”
“Judith’s lawyer and physician have come to see her.” He turned to Caleb and Micah. “This is Judith’s maid, Miss Linde.”
She pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses. “Please come in.”
Caleb could see evidence of the Whitley fortune in the furnishings and art. This room had once belonged to Judith’s parents, as he understood it.
Sarah crossed to Judith’s bed. “Miss Judith, your lawyer and doctor are here to see you.”
Caleb was alarmed at how pale and sickly Judith looked. Her face was gaunt, and there were dark circles around her eyes. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and carry her away to safety.
“Judith, my dear,” Caleb said, bending over her, “I’ve brought Micah to see what he can do for you.”
“Caleb.” She barely whispered his name. “I’m sorry to be a bother.”
He smiled and brushed back her lifeless hair. “You aren’t a bother.”
Micah examined Judith, listening to her heart and asking her questions. Caleb found himself holding Judith’s hand, not even realizing he’d taken hold of it until he was pressing it to his cheek.
“How did this come upon you, Judith?” Micah asked.
“I had a headache . . . and nausea, and then it got worse with dizziness and body pain. The other doctor said influenza is going around, and. . . .”
“There have been some cases,” Micah agreed. He looked at Caleb. “Maybe we could move her to the hospital so I could run tests.”
“No.”
Caleb and Micah turned to find William Whitley at the door. “Bill has already recovered, and I’m certain our Judith will as well. My mother has strictly forbidden her to be taken to the hospital. She says such places are where people go to die, and she won’t have it. I won’t have it either. My wife died in a hospital fifteen years ago. The things they put her through . . . well, it was hideous.” His expression was sorrowful.
“It’s not entirely up to you to decide,” Caleb said, standing. He still held fast to Judith’s hand.
“I understand your misgivings about hospitals,” Micah said, “but you must remember that the hospital of the 1800s is hardly the hospital of today. Today’s hospitals are vastly improved and boast operating theatres that save more lives than they lose. We can run tests on the blood and—”
“No. I won’t allow her to be tortured.” The older man shook his head. “She’s not worsening, so I believe she’s on the mend. I will bring in a nurse, if that gives you additional comfort, and you may come whenever you like, but I won’t allow you to take her to a hospital.”
Caleb let go of Judith and shot across the room. He grabbed Whitley by the lapels of his suit. “And I won’t have you—”
“Caleb!” Micah was immediately at his side. “Calm down. Judith is stable for the time. Let’s check on her again later this evening—if that would be acceptable to you, Mr. Whitley?”
The older man looked terrified, and Caleb felt a rush of shame. He let go of the suit. “I’m sorry, Mr. Whitley. I’m just worried about Judith.”
William Whitley nodded and took a step back. “It’s all right. I understand.” He looked at Micah. “You’re both welcome to return. I give you my word that you’ll be allowed to visit her whenever you like.”
Micah smiled. “Good. Then I will return around six. Meanwhile, would you like me to look in on your mother as well?”
He shook his head. “No. Mother would never hear of it. She’ll probably be cross with me for allowing you to visit Judith. She’s rather set in her ways.”
Caleb rolled his eyes. “That’s putting it mildly.”
William gave a hint of a smile. “It is, but I’m trying to be a respectful son.” He was clearly used to cowering under her rule, and Caleb couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him.
Micah went back to Judith and gathered his things. “Come say your farewells, Caleb, and we’ll be off.”
Caleb didn’t want to leave Judith, but he knew social rules would not allow him to remain at her bedside. He fought back words of protest.
“Judith?”
Her eyes fluttered open. “Caleb?”
“I’m here. Look, Micah and I have to go, but we’ll be back this evening.”
“Don’t go,” she barely whispered. “Please.”
Caleb looked at Micah. How could he leave when she was pleading with him to stay?
“Judith, you can’t expect Mr. Coulter and the doctor to remain at your bedside indefinitely,” Whitley said, coming closer.
“What’s this, then?” Bill Whitley called from the doorway. He wore a dark blue dressing gown, and his hair was mussed, as if he’d just awakened. “Vicky told me we had company.”
“It’s nothing you need to worry about,” his father replied. “Mr. Coulter and Dr. Fisher came to check on Judith.”
Caleb found the young man watching him intently. Knowing that Bill had declared himself in love with Judith didn’t endear him to Caleb. Not one bit.
“I understand you had this ailment,” Micah said, moving toward Bill.
“I did.” Bill smiled. “I’m mostly recovered now, however. I’m sure it’ll just be a matter of days until Judith and Grandmother are on the mend.”
“Did you have the same degree of sickness?” Micah asked.
“I did. It was something fierce. I hurt all over, es
pecially my head. And when I tried to eat, I threw it all back up. Dr. Barringer said it was typical of influenza. It seems sleep was the best thing for recovery.”
Micah turned back to the elder Whitley. “Do me a favor. I want to speak to Dr. Barringer about this matter. Until then, don’t give her anything more by mouth. No medicines or teas. Not even water. It’ll just be for a few hours, but I want to try a new medication when I return, and she needs to have a completely empty stomach. Understand?”
“Of course,” William declared. “I’ll let her maid know.”
“Good. I feel certain we’ll have Judith on her feet again soon.” Micah smiled and gave the older man a nod.
William wrung his hands together. “She must get better. We’ve only just had her returned to us. My brother would never forgive me if I didn’t do everything in my power to help her.”
“But your brother is dead and gone.” Caleb shook his head. “He’s far beyond caring about such things.”
“You don’t know my brother,” William replied. “And if his ghost doesn’t haunt me for my failures, then Mother would surely do the job. And in truth, I doubt I could forgive myself.”
Caleb could see he was sincere. Any misgivings Caleb might have had about Judith’s uncle were lessened considerably.
“Father is right. We’ll do whatever we can to see her well again,” Bill added. He gazed at Judith with such concern that even Micah was apparently moved.
“I’m touched at how much you both care. I feel better knowing she’ll have constant supervision,” Micah said. “We’ll be back soon, and hopefully we shall find her improved.”
William called for Sarah and gave her strict orders for Judith before leading Caleb and Micah back downstairs. He spoke in hushed tones with Micah all the way. It truly appeared his concern for Judith and his mother was genuine.
Caleb thought of the rattlesnake and his fears that William might be trying to rid himself of Judith. But he didn’t seem capable of such things. Maybe it was Bill or his sister. They had as much to lose as their father did.
On their way back to Caleb’s house, Micah was quiet. Caleb thought perhaps he was upset at Caleb’s violent reaction.
In Dreams Forgotten Page 21
