Rose in the Brier

by Liz Rein

  Sterling saw the door handle slowly turn and pulled himself into a sitting position, preparing for a visitor. The movement caused a shooting pain that called attention to his injured leg and he felt sore from the fall, he definitely had a bruise.

  She came into the room like a breath of fresh air, carrying a tray with the aroma of breakfast. At first Cecilia did not notice that he was awake, she was busy trying to stay quiet, concentrating on not dropping the tray laden with food and getting Rufus to back away from the door as he jumped in excitement. She looked up toward her patient and she saw that not only was he awake, he was also sitting up smiling at her. Cecilia uttered a small “Oh” when she saw him.

  She started to walk towards him and began to reintroduce herself “I am Cecilia…”

  “Cecilia Wright” Sterling finished for her.

  “Good, you remember what happened yesterday. Sometimes when a patient is injured and I use the chloroform they do not remember anything that happened.”

  I don’t think that I could ever forget her Sterling thought to himself. Not one to believe in love at first sight, Sterling was very attracted.

  Ignoring his silence she set the tray on a side table, Cecilia continued “I would like to look at your leg to see if it is healing properly.” As she pulled back the blanket that laid over his thigh. “So far you have not contracted a fever and that is a good sign.”

  Sterling was oddly very self-conscious, he was laying there dressed in a nightshirt and small clothes, more clothes than he usually wears when he goes to bed, but he felt self-aware as she pulled back the cover to inspect his leg. His trepidation may come from the fact that since his injury he has lost a significant amount of weight, almost three stones. But mostly he knew that he did not want to look like an invalid around her.

  After closely examining the stitches in the leg and feeling for heat and swelling Cecilia said “It looks good. The swelling has gone down. I would like you to stay here one more day before being moved back to Blackbrier Park. I do not want to jostle it too much it might reopen and start bleeding again.”

  Cecilia picked up the blanket and recovered the leg and then looked into Sterling’s eyes, their eyes caught and held for a second but felt like a lifetime. Embarrassed she turned to pick up the breakfast tray that she had set down on the side table. Placing the tray on the edge of the bed she continued “I brought you breakfast, you will need to eat for your leg to heal properly.” Sterling frowned slightly “Lately I have not had much of an appetite, but I will give it a go.” Then began to reach for the rasher of bacon, satisfied Cecilia turned to leave him to his breakfast. 

  As soon as Cecilia left Sterling put down the bacon strip and set the tray back on the side table, he had no appetite. He pulled the covers aside and gently poked the wound and flexed his leg. Although sore there was not the deep stabbing pain that had been there for the last several months. Hope began to unfurl in his chest. Sterling laid back and slid into an exhausted yet healing slumber with a smile playing across his lips.

  Cecilia closed the door behind her, but paused before descending the stairs. She was mortified to be caught looking at him, she knew that she did not have a chance with him, that he would marry a girl with a proper family. He was not interested in some society outsider who moons over him. Cecilia made a vow from now on treat him as any other patient, with a professional detachment.

  Later that afternoon Cecilia returned to the room to check her patient. She knocked and after she heard a call to enter she opened the door to find Thomas and Sterling talking. “I’m sorry, I did not mean to interrupt. I can return later….” She began backing out of the room.

  “No!” Sterling interrupted quickly “Thomas was just leaving.” Thomas gave Sterling an odd look but left without a word, nodding politely to Cecilia as he exited.

  ”I want to look at your wound.” Cecilia said

  With a gesture toward his leg indicating acceptance he leaned back on the pillow. “Look at your leisure.” Blushing slightly Cecilia approached the bed wanting to distract herself and determined to maintain her commitment Cecilia asked “Where did you acquire your injury?”

  “The war.”

  Captain Fairchild’s short answer indicated that the topic was not up for discussion, not in the least offended Cecilia moved on. People, especially men with debilitating handicaps did not like to talk about how they received their wounds. Casually Cecilia asked “Are you enjoying Blackbrier Park?”

  Relieved to discuss something not related to his leg he answered “Yes, I did not know what to expect. The estate had set idle for so long I was concerned that it had fallen into disrepair.”

  “So you have owned it for a while?” she asked as if she did not know exactly how long ago it had sold.

  “Yes and no, I have owned it for two years but I did not know it until about a week ago.” Then he went into detail about his brother purchasing it for him skirting the details about the war. “Luckily the estate manager has kept everything up to par.” He finished.

  Captain Fairchild’s story gave Cecilia a sense of relief. She had been disturbed by the thought that the new owner was one of those society gentlemen who let their property fall into disrepair while draining the coffers. The captain’s explanation released a huge weight off her mind.

  “It sounds like you brother loves you very much.”

  “Yes, he knew I was restless and wanted me to be happy.”

  There was a short pregnant pause when Captain Fairchild seemed to stare into space. It was broken as Rufus jumped into Sterling’s lap, impatient after being ignored for so long. Cecilia continued with a lighthearted conversation focusing on Rufus’ misbehavior.

  Chapter Seven

  Sterling was both glad to return to Blackbrier Park and sad to leave Rose Cottage. He was glad to return because he was ready to delve into his new estate, he wanted to get to know everyone and everything, to take pride in ownership and begin improvement to the property. Yet he was disappointed to leave Cecilia, he could sense a growing connection between them and he did not want to lose it. Sterling did not know where it was going but he knew that it was important to keep her by his side and leaving her home was not an ideal situation. He would have to think of a way to keep her close.

  As Sterling lay there thinking Thomas packed their things, although there was not much stuff to pack and they did not stay long Thomas had brought supplies for all contingencies, his training as a solider had taught him to always be prepared. While putting the last of Sterling’s clothes into the satchel they both heard the approach of horses and carriage. Earlier that morning Thomas sent word to have the coach pick them up. Captain Fairchild was in no condition to ride back to Blackbrier.

  Sterling was glad that Thomas had ordered the carriage, he could not stand at this point much less ride a horse. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed and prepared for the upcoming ordeal.

  The bedroom door opened and Cecilia entered with a newly hired Blackbrier Park footman following close behind. Dressed in the slightly aged black and gold uniform of Blackbrier Park, John, the footmen was over six feet tall, as all footmen are, and looked capable of assisting Sterling down the stairs without causing too much damage. He may vaguely remember going up the stairs but what he doesn’t remember was the jarring pain and awkward efforts of Thomas and Miss Wright.

  Cecilia knew that this was going to be difficult; they needed to move him across the room, down the stairs, through the door and into the carriage without causing undue damage to his leg. Over the last two days the wound has been healing and she was afraid that moving him would reopen the cut setting him back in his recovery.

  Both Thomas and John, the footman, assisted Sterling in standing on his good leg. Once up they each took an arm and adjusted their holds so that they were holding each arm across their shoulders and he was suspended a couple of inches off the floor. Luckily the stairs in her home were fairly wide allowing all three men to squeeze down the st
eps together. Cecilia walked down the steps in front of them prepared to protect the leg from unnecessary disturbances. It was slow going as they took each step one at a time, Cecilia backing out the door and down the stairs with her hands hovering just above the leg, protecting it. As one, John and Thomas moved sideways to clear the front door and then they approached the carriage.

  Quickly Cecilia entered the carriage and prepared to help anyway she could. After many tries they finally got Sterling in the carriage with a minimal amount of damage. They ended up setting Sterling on the floor of the carriage then Thomas climbed into the carriage and lifted him from under the arms onto the seat while John held his lower extremities. After much maneuvering, Sterling ended up sitting on one of the benches and resting his leg on the other. Cecilia climbed into the carriage and sat across from him as Thomas and John climbed up in to the driver’s seat, then they made their way to Blackbrier Park.

  The carriage ride was short but it still brought back memories of her childhood. As she sat in semi silence she fingered a rough patch of wood that had been chewed on at the edge of the bench seat. Rufus had gotten a hold of the seat’s edge while she was sleeping on the way to a short holiday to the shore with her parents. The memories of a better time brought a sheen of tears to her eyes. Shaking off the sadness she turned to Sterling and smiled.

  Sterling, embarrassed by all the fuss, was quiet during ride but he did see the tears in her eyes. He was puzzled but when she noticed him watching her she smiled and he was dazzled.

  After a few minutes in the carriage they approached Blackbrier Park’s long country drive. The house, which is set back from the lane by several hundred yards, was a fairly large country manor surrounded by manicured lawns and a garden that included a small maze. In the spring the flowers bloom making it in Cecilia’s estimation the most beautiful place on earth. The house itself was built of brick and slate some of which dated back several centuries. The front courtyard had a round driveway of crushed shells and a fountain in the center so that carriages could pull up to the front door, graced with wide stone steps and giant pillars that welcomed you. After two years of neglect the gardens were slightly overgrown and the driveway could use some weeding. The gardeners were let go along with the rest of the staff when her stepmother sold it. Cecilia was now confident that Captain Fairchild would have the house and the grounds in ship shape before long.

  After pulling to a stop in front of the house John and Thomas jumped down from the driver’s seat, opened the door and handed Cecilia down. Sterling with the help of Thomas supporting his leg made his way down to the floor with his feet sticking out of the open carriage door. Then both Thomas and John helped him stand on his good leg. Together they assisted him up the stairs and through the front door into the foyer.

  Sterling noticed a significant change to the house as soon as he entered. When he had first arrived the house had been closed and there were not any live-in servants. There had been white sheets thrown over all of the furniture and a thick coating of dust in all of the rooms. In the last two days the estate manager, Mr. Fairchild, had hired some locals girls to give the whole house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. All the furniture covers had been removed and even the floors had been polished to a high gleam. Satisfied at the changes Sterling briefly saw, the men continued on up the grand staircase, down the long hall to the master suite. Cecilia, who was following behind quickly rushed to open the heavy double doors for them.

  The master suite was a large room with heavy, dark furniture. Navy drapes surrounded large glass windows on two walls making the room, which could be dark and depressing, light and masculine. The room featured a sitting area with doors connecting to another bedroom, presumably the lady of the house’s bedchamber although Cecilia had never seen it used as such. Doors also led to a modern bathing room and a good sized dressing room. The suite’s focal point was a large four poster bed with navy and chocolate velvet drapes and brocade bedding.

  Thomas and John immediately went to the bed and sat Sterling down. Cecilia paused at the door for a second as more memories of her childhood washed over her. She could remember as a child lying in bed with her parents watching the dust motes dancing through the morning sunlight.

  Cecilia approached the bed as Sterling settled in a more comfortable position. Motioning to his leg she said “If you do not mind I want to check it one more time before I leave, I want to make sure no damage was done.” She turned so she could look at both Sterling and Thomas and continued “so if you could…” and quickly indicated for Sterling's pants to be removed. Blushing, she quickly left the room with John following her.

  A few minutes later Thomas opened the door and Cecilia slipped into the room. Sterling was lying propped up on the bed with big goose down pillows behind his back his injured leg was already out and ready for inspection with the rest of him covered by the coverlet. After an initial survey Cecilia was relieved to see that the wound had not reopened and that aside from fatigue from the move Sterling was in good condition. “It looks good, I will want to come back to check its progress periodically, especially for the next few days.” Cecilia said “I need you to rest, the best thing for that leg to heal is sleeping and eating.” with a stern visage she continued “I noticed that you did not eat much at my house but I am going to have to insist that you eat a great deal more.” Experience told Cecilia that nutritious meals helped the healing process.

  It occurred to Sterling the best way to get to know her was to keep Cecilia close at hand. Tentatively he suggested “If you are concerned with my eating habits and it is amendable to you, we can schedule the check-ups on my healing in the afternoons and then we could share luncheon.” Seeing no other recourse, although it contradicted the pledge to herself, it would make sure he was following all of her dictates, Cecilia agreed.

  Chapter Eight

  Cecilia woke the next morning and after her absolutions she continued on with her daily chores. With the help of Mary she watered the garden, gathered the eggs fresh from the chicken coop, and harvested some young vegetables that had just ripened. Then she finished picking the blackberries from the day before and baked the tart she had planned for the Smithes. Noticing the time on the grandfather clock in the foyer she quickly changed into fresh clothing in preparation for her lunch with Captain Fairchild.

  At a quarter till noon the old Blackbrier Park carriage with John driving pulled up in front of Rose Cottage. Not waiting for him to come to the front door to retrieve her Cecilia grabbed her black physician’s bag, opened the front door and walked down the steps. John, who was by then half way up the walk stopped, returned to the carriage and opened the door. He took her bag before he handed her up. This was all accomplished in complete silence, and it warmed her heart to get back to an old routine.

  Cecilia had known John for a long time; before her father died he had escorted her on all her patient calls. Once her father’s wife had taken over Blackbrier Park and sold it she had let go almost all of the staff, including John. The tall sandy haired young man had returned to the local village and worked with his father. It seems that Mr. Jefferson, the estate manager who was one of the few that retained their position, began rehiring the old servants. Cecilia was glad to see him, she had not said anything to him yesterday but the small smile she gave him conveyed all of her feelings. The one he reciprocated assured her that he felt the same, glad to be back working for Blackbrier Park.

  When they arrived, the butler Garvis opened the door. Although she had not seen him the day before she was relieved and happy to see him as well. She had grown up with Garvis acting as a second father to her when her father was not there and she was saddened when he was terminated. Luckily he was able to find employment with a lesser family who wanted the prestige of having a former Earl’s butler as their own.

  Disregarding the rules of polite society and not settling for the warm smile that Garvis bestowed upon her Cecilia embraced him in an enthusiastic hug. This was the first
time in almost two years that they had seen each other.

  Thomas who was walking down the corridor as the front door opened noted the unusual reception but remain silent and continued on his way.

  After their initial greeting Garvis straightened his uniform and returned to his typical manner of servant superiority and escorted her to the lord’s bedchamber. Softly he knocked on the door and after receiving a call to enter he opened the door and announced “Miss Cecilia Wright, My Lord.” Cecilia entered the room with John behind her still carrying her bag.

  Sterling was sitting up in the bed wearing a dark blue robe that brought out the color of his eyes. Beside him on a rolling cart was a lunch service in sterling silver. Seeing that they were no longer needed Garvis and John exited the room setting the black physician’s bag on the floor next to the door.

  Immediately apprehensive she approached the bed. “Good morning my lord” she greeted him. Sterling put on his most disarming smile; he saw her hesitation as soon as she entered the room. “Not my lord, my brother has that honor, I am simply Sterling Fairchild.”

  “Your brother?”

  “My brother is Marcus Fairchild, Duke of Penworth.”

  “You still are a lord.”

  “Only an honorary title, besides one relaxes their noble bloodlines when fighting on the peninsula, I have not used the title in some time.”

  “Well then , Good afternoon Mr. Fairchild”

  “Good afternoon Miss Wright” he returned.

  Switching subjects Cecilia asked “I would like to look at your leg first if it’s all right with you?”

  “Better to do it beforehand so we both do not loose our lunches” he laughed self depreciably.

  Seeing his attempt at humor for what it was, a deflection for the seriousness of the wound Cecilia decided to play along. “Having seen many sorts of wounds I have a strong constitution.”

  Sterling reached over and grabbed the coverlet in his lap and tossed it aside revealing his legs. He wore nightclothes; a pair of loosely fitting stripped cotton pants with one leg cut to reveal the wound. “Special pajamas made for ease of access.” Sterling said.