by Gloria Gay
“I’m not hungry at the moment, Miss Shallot. A cup of tea would be welcome, though. I have been removing the tiny particles of dirt and filth the blade carried. I intend to stay with him until I have cleaned his wound and dressed it for the day.
“I cannot hope for fresh plantain, but there may be some dried plantain in the pantry. I have not been here in Arcadia for some time but I remember a small conservatory where I saw a few plantain plants. If you would give the order for that to be brought to me, as well as boiled water in which to soak them, I would appreciate it.
“Also, there may be a jar of pig bristles along with the plantain, which I will need to close the wound later on. I hope that I will have need of them, for that will mean the coast is clear. But I fear this deep wound has caused great damage. His left lung is a bit swollen although I’m greatly relieved the blade did not reach it.”
“The greenhouse is still kept up, Doctor,” Kate said, willing back the tears that came to her eyes at his words, “so you may have the plantain leaves fresh. I will see right away to those items you have listed. I will return shortly to observe your work so that I may assist you in his lordship’s treatment.”
“Thank you, Miss Shallot. Plantain leaves may sound odd to you, so I will explain: the leaves are used for packing the wound once it is clean. It will draw the infection and thus bring down the fever. And pig’s bristles are excellent for sewing back the wound. But we cannot close the wound yet, not until the infection has disappeared completely. And I fear that the wound not only is deep, but has caused great damage. The swelling seems to have affected the left lung so my friend, Lanquest will soon be gasping for air. Unfortunately, because of the swelling, we are limited in what we can do for him.”
“Thank you for the explanation,” Kate said with a sad smile. “I can see now that Lord Lanquest was in extreme danger with that other doctor. He hadn’t even bothered to clean the wound but was busy applying those disgusting leeches.”
Hendrick asked for several more items and Kate saw to it that his requests were immediately met.
As she arranged on the side table the herbs and plantain leaves from the conservatory that the doctor had requested, she wished she could access her own time and bring back penicillin. In her own time, it would only take a few minutes for Michael to be pulled from the brink. Her eyes filled with tears that he hung between life and death.
“He has been unconscious since he was brought in, Doctor,” Kate said almost in a whisper.
“Yes, that is not a good sign. At the time that you wrote I was in the process of contacting a colleague of mine that had had some success in a mixture he was experimenting with, a mixture which pulled up patients from the unconscious in cases such as Lanquest’s. I rushed here as fast as I could when you contacted me, Miss Shallot, but now I wonder if it had not been better if I had obtained that mixture from my colleague before I came.”
“We have very little time before Cortland rushes in with a court order. The court order would allow him as the heir presumptive, to take over Michael’s treatment and the overseeing of the estate while Michael is unconscious.
“Cappy told me that Augusta wrote to her son yesterday. Is there something you can do to prevent Cortland from taking over the estate?”
“I believe I do, Miss Shallot. Lanquest has a standing order with his attorney that he may have mentioned to you. That order if accepted by the magistrate of the area would allow me to take over his estate and treatment should he be unconscious as a result of illness.
“My solicitor tells me that I would have some time before Cortland would obtain another order with his attorney that might null Lanquest’s. I do not know how Lanquest’s order would hold against Cortland’s rights as heir, but it may hold him off at least until I can bring Michael back to consciousness and able to direct his life and estate without Cortland or Augusta’s interference.
“We are fortunate in Arcadia’s close proximity to London, which can be reached in four or five hours on the toll road.”
Kate then took over the vigil with Michael while the doctor went to the dining-room to take his meal.
Kate gazed at Michael, her heart breaking at the realization that Hendrick did not give them any great hope of his recovery.
Doctor Hendrick asked to meet with Kate in the library and Kate feared that no good news was forthcoming. Amy offered to sit with Lanquest while the doctor and Kate met in the library.
***
Kate went to the library with trepidation. Hendrick had not asked her what her relationship with Michael was and Kate was certain that question was forthcoming.
“Would my friend, Lanquest, be surprised at your highly medical description of his wound as I was, Miss Shallot?”
“He would have, had it happened when we had just met, Doctor. But our friendship has come a long way since the first day.”
“There is something about you that not only describes someone who is from the American country you come from but goes beyond. I would describe it as too advanced for the age we live in.”
“Yes,” Kate said.
“Did my dear friend Michael have the same impressions of you that I have?”
“My appearance in his forest startled him,” said Kate with a wide smile. “He threatened to call the Magistrate if my answers did not convince him.”
Hendrick smiled. “I wish you would confide in me as you did in him, for you will find in me a receptive listener.”
“It would be with extreme caution that I would do it, Doctor. You may be forming an opinion of me within the scope of what you know, as Michael did at first, but my explanation would fall within an arc beyond what you know and believe in.”
“I am man of science, Miss Shallot, with an open mind toward all subjects. I would rather know you in all your history than be guessing at it. I value Michael’s friendship as I would that of a dear brother and would like to know in whose hands he is. You have proven your mettle by your actions in trying to save his life by seeking me out. I do not doubt your sincerity and would rather you would confide in me fully.”
“Even if my answer would astound you?”
“Even so.”
“What I disclose to you, even though it may seem fantastic, must remain in secret, doctor. Disclosure of what I am about to tell you would put me in great peril. I am certain many of the things I will explain to you would seem like sorcery to those who would not understand them.”
“You have my word that what you disclose to me will forever remain with me and that I shall not share it with anyone, Miss Shallot.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Kate breathed out in great relief.
Kate pondered how she would word her explanation. She started slowly, then, while Hendrick listened in rapt attention, she disclosed the place she came from and the year. While he heard her in silence she described, in a general way, the world of 2017, the 21st Century, its inventions, its way of life, different from even the late 20th Century because of rampaging technology.
After five minutes in which Kate had disclosed the main advances and inventions of the age she belonged to she paused, breathless.
For a few seconds, Hendrick looked deeply into Kate’s eyes.
Kate was afraid he had not believed her as he sighed deeply and shook his head.
“If you need proof I have none,” said Kate, in a panic at his silence. “As I told you, I lost my clothes in the transfer—”
“I need no proof other than what you have told me, Miss Shallot,” Hendrick assured her, “my silence is only that I am astonished at what you have disclosed. I take you at your word, for no one person could dream up the inventions and scientific advances you have mentioned. The inventions you have disclosed—airplanes and rockets and astounding technology in those chips you have described, several of which fit in the palm of a hand, cannot be made up by any person alone, in a conversation.
“I believe wholeheartedly that you are from the future—the astonishing wonderful future that
also holds within it its own destruction, with the nuclear discoveries you described so eloquently.”
“I’m glad you believe me, Doctor.”
Hendrick asked questions—intelligent questions about the age she lived in that Kate answered as best she could. He had a boundless curiosity and interest in everything she had to say and because of this the time flew by.
Hendrick was curious about the psychic women who guarded the portal that had facilitated Kate’s journey to the past and as Kate was anxious to have another opinion about the riddle she was facing she disclosed everything she knew to the doctor.
They discussed her experiences with the psychic sisters and Kate told him she was trying to solve the riddle of the green monkey tattoo.
CHAPTER 26
Next morning, Romy awoke Kate at dawn.
“It’s the doctor, Miss. He wants a word with you, if you please.”
“Certainly,” Kate said sleepily. She had stayed until almost dawn with Michael, until the doctor had taken over from her.
“I’m afraid the wound has advanced even with the plantain, Miss Shallot,” Hendrick told Kate. “I have decided to leave for London in the next hour to obtain the new medicine that I described to you for it has the power to bring out some type of patients from unconsciousness.
“I participated with him in some trials he performed on some patients at the surgeons’ hospital in London. Lifting Michael from the unconscious would aid greatly in his fighting the infection and would give us what we most need, some more time.”
“I’m glad that the medicine you described can help Michael, Doctor, and now I am most anxious for you to return to London, to obtain it.
“I would not be able to withstand Cortland if he takes over, even though there is a standing order that when Lord Lanquest is away Cortland is not allowed in the estate. Even so, I am willing to make an effort, for I believe as you do, that that medicine would greatly increase Michael’s chances of recovery.”
“I will leave at once,” said the doctor. “I only waited to confer with you. My valet, Sam, has instructions to aid you in whatever you deem necessary, along with Lanquest’s valet, Demby.
“We are lucky in that Arcadia is relatively close to London and with my well-sprung new carriage it takes me less than four hours to reach the city on the toll road. I will leave at once and hopefully be back with the medicine before the day is over. I am certain that my friend is in London and although the medicine is experimental, we both have enough faith in it to consider it safe to try on a patient. Once I obtain it, I shall return to Arcadia posthaste.
“Please pretend I have a stomach ailment and have taken to my room, Miss Shallot.
“Sam will inform the staff that I am in my bedroom and suffering from a temporary ailment. I have told Sam this and he will confer with you shortly, as soon as I have left Arcadia.
“You must become an expert at stalling if Augusta should become suspicious that I am not in the estate. I trust in your ability, Miss Shallot, for you are an exceptionally intelligent young woman.”
“Thank you, Doctor. I hope you will obtain the medicine quickly and return to the estate as you say, before the nightfall. I will try to follow your orders to the letter. Please tell me what else you want me to do.”
“You must ensure that Lady Bunright does not enter Lanquest’s room. She may try to force her way in with the aid of her footmen and if that should happen, you have Demby and my valet, Sam, at your disposal to bar her from the room. She does not have my friend’s interest at heart and she may even be a danger to him.”
“I agree with you, Doctor. It’s obvious Augusta has only her sons’ interests.
“I feel I can safely be away for one day, which is how long it will take for me to go to London and back.
You must clean the wound and apply the paste twice during the day and twice during the night.
“My fear is that Cortland will arrive here while you are gone, Doctor,” Kate said, a quiver in her voice.
“I would be unable to withstand should he take over as you know he will do. Augusta has hired a runner to locate him and bring him Arcadia.”
“Unfortunately, there is no alternative, Miss Shallot. I wish I could remain here but I feel this is our last opportunity to save my friend.”
“And now, Miss Shallot, I must bid you good-bye,” he said when his groom came to tell him that all was ready for his journey.
“Farewell, then, Doctor,” Kate said, “and may you come back soon to be by your friend’s side.”
“Thank you, Miss Shallot. Be sure to keep up the fantasy that I am still in my bedroom for as long as you are able. Cortland would not believe it but you might have success with Lady Bunright.”
***
With Demby’s help, Kate spooned warm broth into Michael’s mouth. Although half the broth had spilled onto the towels tied to his chest, she was content that he had swallowed at least enough of the soup to nourish him a little. She would give him some more broth in a couple of hours.
She sighed with exhaustion as she put away the broth and with Demby’s help made Michael comfortable again against the pillows.
Hendrick had been gone for a few hours and Kate had not heard from Augusta.
Kate conferred with Demby, Sam and Romy, in the best way to continue the fantasy that the doctor was momentarily ill in his bedroom from a stomach malady. They must prepare for when Augusta should ask about him. They had instructed the stable grooms, as well.
Once they had left Kate prepared for the long night by Lanquest’s bedside.
So far Augusta had kept to her rooms, with her daughters, and continued to take all her meals there
Kate fearfully expected Cortland to burst into Michael’s room at any time but as the hours went by her anxiety eased, for each hour that went by meant that after arriving in London Hendrick had hurried to obtain the medicine from his friend.
Before he left for London, Hendrick had stationed two of Michael’s most trusted and loyal men at the bedroom door but as he told Kate, he did not know how prepared Cortland would be when he came to Arcadia.
***
Through Romy and Demby, Kate kept a tab on Augusta’s movements and was informed each time Augusta called to have one of her expresses sent off. Hendrick’s valet knew very well when her maids went in search of their coach’s driver or tiger.
Kate had asked Lanquest’s trusted valet, Demby, to try to find out what Lady Bunright said in the missives she sent out but he had come back empty-handed. Apparently, Lady Bunright’s groom was too afraid to risk her wrath and just shook his head. Demby told Kate that the two maids, coachman and groom she had brought with her took their meals by themselves and did not mix with the estate’s servants. And when anyone addressed them, they stared fearfully at the person and hurried away.
***
Kate was certain of one thing. Augusta was desperately trying to locate her son so that he would take over the estate.
Sitting quietly in the silent room, Kate recalled the first time she had seen Michael.
He had appeared stern while alarm and embarrassment hovered in his eyes as he stared at her leaf dress. She smiled fondly at the memory. They had each viewed her odd dress according to the age they lived in, separated by the centuries between them. How much more embarrassed he would have been had he come upon her a bit earlier, she thought, when she had not yet fashioned her leaf dress, and smiled at the thought.
Amazing that only a few weeks had passed since that day that had been so pivotal in her life.
Her heart belonged to Michael, although they could not belong to each other. Time travel seemed so outlandish to her that she still wondered if this was just a vivid dream, although she knew in her heart it was her present reality.
She thought of the green monkey tattoo still in the back of her leg, above her calf. How excited she had been to tell Michael about it. Then she remembered his reaction to her news, for it meant that she would leave. She felt a pressure
in her chest as she recalled the sudden anguish she saw in his eyes.
She glanced at Michael, helpless on the bed, and her eyes filled with tears. How she wished he would wake up and move beyond the danger he lived in, oppressed by fever. She freshened his face with cloths dipped in cool water and after spooning as much tea in his mouth as he would take she again sat by his side and took up her reading.
Time slipped by. The light in the room changed and glancing at the small clock on the mantle, Kate realized more than three hours had gone by. Three less hours to wait for Doctor Hendrick’s return.
The welcome rays of the sun warmed the windows’ mullioned glass as the afternoon advanced toward the evening and the ever-present twittering of birds increased in volume.
What a beautiful estate Arcadia was, she thought, as she stood up and glanced down at the artfully designed beds of flowers, the large orchard and the edge of Hawkwing Forest beyond. Only shreds of the morning mist remained yet an aura of enchantment and magic swirled about it, as if fairies dwelled within its thick green depths.
Kate took up the bowl of cool water again. She patted Michael’s face, where the perspiration of his fever drenched his skin down to his neck and arms.
She rang the bell for a footman to help her change Michael’s shirt, for it was wet with perspiration and she had the man replace the bowl with fresh water.
Once the footman had left she sat again by the bed and prayed in silence for Michael’s recovery.
Michael was almost as pale as the bed sheets, yet his face and body were warm with the fever and he appeared listless. The tears slid down Kate’s cheeks as she felt unable to make Michael better, unable to help him fight the ravaging infection that had been only slightly held at bay by Hendrick’s treatment. The pus had now turned dark yellow.
Kate feared that at any moment, Cortland might bring with him a solicitor with an order that allowed Cortland to take over.
CHAPTER 27
He felt weightless, as though he was floating on air.
