The Lady Bornekova

by Sara R. Turnquist

  "Send for the doctor," he ordered as he stepped into the room. He moved to the edge of the bed while Mary turned and exited, eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

  Petr glanced over his shoulder at the door as Mary closed it.

  Karin’s body sagged…as always, he was waiting until he was free to express his true concern. Not in front of the servants. No, never.

  As the door slid back into its place, Father turned and gathered her carefully in his arms. "Karin, you are well again. We were so worried."

  "Yes, Father, Mary told me. I can't imagine what has happened."

  Pulling back, Petr settled Karin against the pillows once more. "The Viscount and I have spoken about it more than once, and we cannot understand it. Perhaps another examination by the doctor will provide some answers."

  The warmth drained from Karin’s face. That had been the one thing she was grateful for—her unconsciousness during the doctor’s examination. Still, she nodded.

  Father's lips upturned, and she saw a misting in his eyes. "It is a matter for later. My daughter has returned from the abyss." The sentimental display on his features lasted but one moment before he regained his composure. Mary would return soon. "You drank your tea?"

  "Yes, Father."

  "Good. Are you hungry?"

  Her stomach churned at the thought of food and she nodded.

  "Of course you are. I will have a tray brought at once."

  Footsteps neared the door and moments later, Mary stepped into the room. "The doctor has been sent for, my lord."

  Father moved away from the bed and addressed Mary, "Please see to Lady Karin's comfort and ready her for the doctor. I will have a tray sent up."

  "Yes, my lord." Mary bowed.

  Father looked at Karin and nodded once more.

  Karin had learned how much had to be communicated in these simple gestures. He was relieved she was alive and well.

  Then he stepped out of the room.

  Mary’s gaze rested on Karin. It was time to prepare for the doctor. This would not be pleasant. But it must be done.

  * * *

  By the time the doctor arrived, Mary had bathed Lady Karin, dressed her in fresh garments, and seated her in one of the cushioned chairs to eat.

  While she took Lady Karin's dirty nightshift and sheets out of the room, Lord Bornekov had caught her and made it clear he wanted Karin confined to her bedchambers for another day. So Mary attempted to put Karin in a clean nightdress. But Lady Karin wanted none of it.

  "Milady, you must see that you would be more comfortable."

  "Be that as it may, I must insist on clothes so I can move throughout the house," Karin argued. Must the Lady be so stubborn?

  Though Mary feared upsetting her master, Lady Karin’s determination won out. As she waited for the doctor, Lady Karin wore a simple burgundy and cream dress, which, while fitted in the bodice, fell loose over the rest of her body. This allowed her freedom of movement.

  Two heavy sets of footfalls in the hall warned of visitors. Was the doctor come? So soon?

  Mary pulled the door open as the boots upon the stone became sufficiently close. The doctor and Lord Bornekov were steps away from the room.

  Ducking her head, Mary moved out of the way so the men could pass her. It was as if she were invisible. As always.

  "Doctor Vladjek," Lord Bornekov introduced the man who came to sit next to Lady Karin.

  "It is good to see you awake," the older man said in his deep voice.

  Mary noted once again his long face and kind eyes. He was taller than the earl, and everything about him seemed long, even the fingers reaching out to grasp Lady Karin's wrist.

  "The danger is past, my lord. Your daughter is well on her way to full recovery."

  Throughout his examination, he asked Lady Karin questions about what she had eaten since her arrival and what had occurred the day of the incident. She told him of her restless sleep the nights before and how she had thought she was merely sleepy that day.

  "Mary," he asked, drawing her attention from her mistress, "Did you notice any marks when you prepared the Lady Karin?"

  "No, doctor," she spoke up, her chin rose. "I was careful to look, just as you asked."

  "No matter," the doctor continued, turning back to Lady Karin. "I think the poison is of an animal kind. Many times we cannot find their marks. Perhaps you fell asleep, shifted, and disturbed a spider or some such other creature. Perhaps in sleep, it slowed the poison's movement. Had you been awake and tried to walk back, I think the poison would have spread faster. I am glad you were found and helped quickly. She has taken the tea?"

  Mary nodded. "As much as I could get into her." Which was a battle. Biting the inside of her lip, Mary cursed her own bad luck in having such a stubborn mistress.

  "Good work.”

  The comment was not directed at Mary, however, but toward Lady Karin. As if she had anything to do with it.

  “Keep taking the tea to cleanse your body of any lingering poison. Take two cups a day for one week and then one cup each day for one week more. I have another tea if you continue to have trouble sleeping." He pulled out the herbs and handed them to Mary.

  Another thing for Mary to concern herself with. And with no added benefit to her.

  The doctor then grabbed his few things and put them in his bag.

  "Thank you, Doctor." Lady Karin offered him a warm smile.

  "Yes," Lord Bornekov spoke up as the doctor stood, "Thank you."

  "Please send for me if there is any change for the worse, but I think the danger is gone. Lady Karin is strong, a fighter. Keep her resting for a week. Sun and fresh air would be good, but stay close and calm. I don’t want any upsets to worsen her condition. And no long or unsupervised walks on the grounds.”

  "Yes, Doctor," Lord Bornekov responded.

  His eyes cut to Mary. She understood. It was her responsibility to ensure these instructions were followed.

  "She is fortunate," the doctor said, as he exited the room with Lord Bornekov. "I had my doubts about her recovery..." The rest was lost as they continued to walk down the hall.

  Lady Karin leaned back in her chair and her eyes closed.

  "Milady, do you need to return to the bed for some rest?" Mary offered, hoping her mistress would retire.

  "No, I think I've slept enough to last for some time." She gave Mary a weak smile.

  The maiden nodded, watching Lady Karin’s features. What could the Lady’s response mean, if it were not an indication of being tired?

  Lady Karin caught Mary’s eyes. Did she sense Mary’s confusion?

  "It's just a lot to take in at once," she explained.

  "Of course." Mary’s shoulders relaxed. What was she to do now? It did not seem as if she could leave the Lady Karin unsupervised. "Are you still hungry? I can go for some cheeses and more bread."

  Lady Karin's stomach growled at the mention of more solid food. Her first tray had borne only broth and some bread.

  Smiling, Lady Karin nodded. Now that the broth had settled well, perhaps she was ready for more.

  "Of course," Mary said, bowing and taking leave.

  Mary rather enjoyed these errands, which took her away from Lady Karin for short breaks. Was her mistress having as much difficulty with her? They were still learning each other perhaps. Even so, they would have to find a way to live with each other. The earl was to leave soon and Mary would be charged with Lady Karin’s well being. What exactly would her role be? Was she to be her maidservant and nothing more? Or was she to serve in a more supervisory capacity? Her only hope was that Lord Bornekov would enlighten her before that time came.

  She entered the kitchen and found a maid.

  "I need some cheeses and bread for the Lady Karin," she said, putting on as if she were already tired of waiting.

  The kitchen maid nodded and went about slicing cheese.

  "And how is the Lady today?" the maid asked. Was this an attempt to engage Mary in conversation?

 
"The doctor says she will recover," Mary responded, her voice even.

  "Did he say what caused this illness?"

  Mary made a show of examining her nails. Information was doled out in pieces amongst the servants. This kitchen maid had always been loose-tongued with Mary, so she must be careful with anything she shared. It would, in time, make its way around the whole house.

  "He suspects some kind of animal poison," Mary said as if the information was old news.

  "You don't say!" The maid set the cheese to the side and pulled down some breads.

  Mary nodded, putting on her most serious face. Information was also power among the servants, so Mary wanted to be careful to maintain the illusion she had more to give. It was time to turn the tables on this maid and ask for some. That was how it worked. Tit for tat.

  "What do you know of these young men?"

  "Not much. They are all friends of the Viscount's son from the university. A couple are quite handsome. I hope they don't mind a tryst with a maidservant." The girl's eyes gleamed.

  Now that would be something to talk about. She would have to keep her eyes and ears open.

  The maid scooted the plate across the counter.

  "Thanks," Mary said, setting it on a tray. "I must get this food to her ladyship," she said as she took the tray and headed out of the kitchen.

  The girl called after her, "Of course. Make haste!"

  * * *

  As much as Karin wanted to leave the confines of the four walls around her, she heeded the wisdom of her father for much of the day and stayed in her room. She remained as she was, lounging in the chair. Mary brought books from the library as she requested, but Karin's attention was drawn to something beyond the window.

  Gazing at the grounds allowed her mind to drift, sometimes to prayer, sometimes to thoughts of what could have been. It certainly pulled her out of the slump she found herself in. She was alive and grateful to be so, but what life held, she did not know.

  A knock on the door broke her reverie.

  "Come in."

  Mary entered, bearing a tray with her afternoon tea dose.

  Karin watched as Mary moved the books and set the small tray on the side table.

  "Would you like dinner early so you could retire sooner?" Mary scooted the tea closer to Karin.

  Picking up the cup, Karin looked at Mary. Retire sooner? Early dinner? What could Mary mean? "I had thought I would be taking dinner with everyone else."

  Mary's face was drawn, her disapproval apparent. "All that excitement? Are you sure, milady?"

  "I may need help getting around. But I am quite ready to see more than these bedchambers."

  Mary raised a brow. But only said, "As you wish." She moved about the room, fussing over this and that as usual.

  Karin had been confined to her chair, so there was nothing for Mary to do. Still she watched Mary’s movements. And her features. She knew full well Mary would seek out Father’s opinion on the matter. This was why Mary had been chosen among the ladies of her mother's house. Mary was most eager to please the earl and countess, not Karin. Loyal to the Master and Mistress Bornekov, not to Karin.

  And so Karin was not even able to trust her handmaiden. Yes, she was truly alone here. And she had good reason to hide and disguise her journal entries with such great care.

  Her papers! Karin's face drained. What had happened to those papers? She struggled to regain her composure lest Mary notice her moment of panic. That would only lead to questions. But Mary was too focused on whatever task she deemed important for that moment.

  Karin cleared her throat. "I was wondering…”

  Mary glanced at Karin.

  “What happened to my dress? The one I wore that day?"

  "The day of the poisoning?" Mary’s eyebrows raised.

  Karin tried to mask her impatience. "Yes."

  Mary’s brows furrowed and she frowned. "Milady, you had been lying on the ground in the rain. The dress was in a state! Mud, grass, and the like. After we removed it, we sent it for cleaning, but I fear it may have been thrown out."

  "Were there other things brought back with me?" Karin probed further.

  "Let's see... your shoes. But they were in no better condition. I think that's it."

  Karin stared at her hands in her lap.

  "It's a shame, too," Mary prattled on as she moved back to the bed, smoothing over the linens. "It was a fine dress. I do hope it wasn't your favorite. Although if it were, perhaps you could think upon it and maybe write down some of the details, and someone could remake it for you. In fact, I think I could search out my memory and help you come up with some of the colors and lines. There, that would make it right, wouldn't it?"

  Mary’s voice droned on, but Karin wondred after her papers. Where were they if they weren’t with her? Or with the dress? Did someone have them?

  There was silence in the room. Karin looked in Mary’s direction to find the maidservant staring at her. Had she missed a question?

  "What?" Karin searched her memory. Had Mary said something about remaking the dress if it was her favorite? "That is kind, but no, it was not my favorite."

  Mary’s eyes narrowed. Almost imperceptibly.

  Karin held her breath.

  After some moments, Mary stepped toward her. "Finished with your tea?"

  "Yes." She held the cup out for Mary to take. The clinking of the cup and the saucer gave away Karin’s discomfort with the awkwardness of the moment.

  "I'll take my leave then." Mary grabbed the tray and moved toward the door.

  Had Mary remembered Karin’s decision about dinner?

  "I may need a lot of help to prepare for dinner this evening," Karin called after her.

  Mary paused. And without turning, said, "Of course, milady. I'll be back."

  After you have your little chat with my father.

  * * *

  Petr laughed as the young men urged their horses faster and faster as they neared the chateau. Racing had become part of their day-to-day routine after the afternoon shooting. It provided more sport. The younger men would inevitably pull ahead of the elder, not that this diminished the fun for the Petr and Vlastik. At that point, they would let up and trot the rest of the way, sometimes placing wagers on who would win.

  "You have truly been with us today, Petr," Vlastik's booming voice thrilled. "It is a good day."

  "I have my daughter back. She is well, and the worst is past." Petr offered him a genuine smile. For the sun shone brighter that day, the grass smelled sweeter, and the birds sang louder.

  "The next time we go hunting, you will come then?" Vlastik prodded him.

  He nodded. "I promise I will hunt with you each day until I must take my leave."

  Vlastik's mouth spread across his face.

  Their attention was drawn forward as they neared the chateau. Squinting his eyes, Petr searched to see who had been triumphant. "It looks like your boy Stepan, again, my friend.”

  The Viscount nodded, pride oozing from his countenance. "He is a gifted horseman."

  Petr nodded, urging his horse to move with a bit more speed up the final hill. His thoughts shifted to Karin's recovery. It had been a long week of waiting and worry.

  At some point, Vlastik convinced him to go shooting with them in the afternoons. "It will do you good," Vlastik had said. But Petr would not leave the chateau for anything longer or farther. Even then, his mind was always on Karin.

  He could not imagine what his wife endured. Daily reports had been written about Karin's condition, and he had sent a messenger to tell her the good news that day.

  Slowing his steed as they approached the stables, one of the stablehands appeared and took the reins while Petr dismounted.

  Vlastik was not far behind. They walked into the lodge together and into the outer room to change their shoes. The two men chatted about the accuracy of the weapons used that day and talked with the younger men about their younger days.

  As they entered the house, Mary approach
ed. Petr fought a wave of dread at the look on her face. Her brows were furrowed and her mouth drawn. Something was seriously wrong.

  The other men must have noted his need for privacy as they continued farther into the house.

  "Yes?" he asked, fighting to keep the concern out of his voice.

  "My lord, Lady Karin would like to join the hunting party for the dinner events this evening," Mary said, the words rushing out of her mouth.

  Petr's first reaction was to lash out, upset that Mary was worked up about something so insignificant, causing him unnecessary anxiety. He should treat this as the trivial matter it was, yet there was more. Should he be more protective of Karin's health and insist she take things slow? Or allow her to roam about the house and grounds as she pleased?

  Either way, he would not let this maidservant see his worry or consideration for her thoughtlessness. It was her regular reporting which made her valuable. However, he wished he wasn't the one who had to weed through all of these "reports".

  Letting out a breath, he steadied himself and met her gaze. "Has the Lady kept to her room today?"

  "Yes," Mary said, drawing out the word.

  "Has she been ill or tired…more than expected?"

  Mary paused for a few seconds. Was she considering his question? "I don't think so—"

  "You don't think so?" His question came with more impatience than he’d intended. Wasn't she supposed to be looking after Karin?

  Mary winced. "Lady Karin spent much of the day reading, but this afternoon she inquired after the day she was brought in. About her dress and shoes. It seemed odd."

  "Her dress and shoes? What did she ask about them?" Petr was intrigued.

  "She wanted to know what had happened to the things she had with her the day of the poisoning." Mary’s eyes flickered toward the ceiling. Was she attempting to remember the words spoken?

  "Ah, I see." He frowned.

  Silence fell as he took a few moments to consider whether or not she could manage the excitement of this small crowd. He could keep an eye on her. Perhaps it would be good for Karin to stretch her legs.

  "She is well enough to join us, I think. I will watch her carefully enough and send for you if she needs to retire."