“I agree with you on not rushing in. As Ringer doesn’t know how seriously or not he injured Matthew. Waiting could cause him to make a mistake,” Simon said.
“Such as trying to approach here to find out Matthew’s condition?” Kathleen spoke.
“Then, my dear, and husband, I’ve an idea which might work. Kathleen, when Simon was shot we let the word slip he was near death in the hopes of bringing the person out who’d shot him. I would suggest we do the same, starting with the staff here. Even when Matthew gets better we keep him here,” Emma explained.
“I do like the idea, and tomorrow we could visit the village and spread the word that Matthew might not recover from his wound,” Kathleen said.
“No, Kathleen, you need to stay here as people would start to wonder why you weren’t looking, from a distance, after Matthew. I feel Simon should accompany his wife,” Serena declared as she glided into the suite.
“Then we do have a plan. I can assure you we won’t be long, and I’ll make sure we have several grooms with us,” Simon added.
“Serena, would you mind sitting and keeping Kathleen company. If I’m shopping on the morrow I do need some sleep,” Emma declared.
“I would be happy to help keep watch over my son. I also believe Mrs. Swithin will be along shortly to change the dressing.”
“Then, ladies, we bid you good night, and, Kathleen, don’t over tire yourself. You will need your strength once Matthew is feeling better,” Emma pronounced.
With a nod to her newest friends, Kathleen watched them slip from the room. From the way they constantly looked at each other she wondered exactly how much sleep either would get.
“I’ll make sure I don’t fatigue myself. Will I be permitted to help the housekeeper?” Kathleen asked.
“Of course, as I and the housekeeper will be watching over you.”
No sooner had Serena finished speaking than Kathleen watched as Mrs. Swithin stepped in and glanced to her. “M’ lady, I’m gathering from your expression you’ll be assisting me?”
“I will. As Lord Matthew and I soon will marry, I feel doing so is my duty. I should warn you, I’ve never touched the naked chest of a gentleman before so I might be a little apprehensive.”
“Of that I’m not surprised as I do know if you had that would have been highly inappropriate. So, with that being said shall we see how the wound looks, not that I expect much change from earlier.”
Standing, Kathleen stepped over to the bed. Looking down at his partially bare body, she slowly raised her hand and gently, with her finger tips, touched him. What she did appreciate was that his color had improved to were the tan on his face had started to return. She was still worried about the coolness of his body.
“M’ lady, what you just did was good. How do you feel? Ready to continue?”
“I am. What should we do first? I’m only guessing we need to remove the old dressing?”
“Yes. Then clean the wound on both sides, starting with the one on his back. As you can see, we already have everything needed, and here comes the footman with the warm water,” the housekeeper said. Then she added, “Place the bowl on the table beside Lady Kathleen then return to your duty.”
So as to not cause Matthew any further discomfort, Kathleen followed the directions given. After what seemed forever she looked up to Mrs. Swithin.
“M’ lady, you did a wonderful job. When His Lordship finally awakens and learns you assisted me, I’m sure he will be astounded to the point of being speechless.”
“Mrs. Swithin, trust me when I say Lady Kathleen has been able to silence His Lordship on more than one occasion,” Serena declared from across the room.
“So I’ve heard. Now let’s get you cleaned up,” the housekeeper said.
Looking down, Kathleen understood what the woman meant. On her shirt and trousers, she saw splotches of blood.
“I don’t have anything to wear,” she uttered.
“Yes you do. We’ll borrow pants and a blouse from Matthew as he won’t be wearing them for a while,” Serena told her.
Cleaned and refreshed, Kathleen returned to Matthew’s suite and retook her seat.
As the night wore on she couldn’t keep her eyes open.
Chapter Sixteen
A moan followed by a curse quickly brought her awake. Confused at first as to where she was, Kathleen looked around then realized she was in Matthew’s suite, only being there because he’d been shot the night before. Standing, she started to go to Matthew, but a firm hand on her arm stopped her.
“No, he needs me,” she demanded, not caring who’d halted her.
“I agree, but Matthew is still not conscious. What you heard was his mind reliving last night. I’m guessing in a short while he will fully awaken,” Simon whispered.
Even though she thought she was fully awake, hearing Simon speak took Kathleen by surprise. Looking to him, she laid a glare on him not caring if he was a duke.
“What are you doing here? This isn’t proper. I demand you leave at once.”
“Relax, Kathleen. I only stepped in a few minutes ago so my darling wife could take care of her needs. Not to mention, if you’ll look over your shoulder you will see Mrs. Swithin glowering at me.”
Doing as suggested, Kathleen looked behind her and smiled to the housekeeper.
“I’m guessing we need to change Lord Matthew’s bandage again?”
“On that you are correct, m’ lady. But after hearing His Lordship start to stir I want to wait a little longer. That will give you a chance to wash the sleep away from your eyes. I’ve a maid waiting in the hall to take you to a suite. Also, the Countess of Ashburn has sent over more appropriate attire for you, undergarments and a day dress.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll take care of my needs, help with the wound, then change. That way the dress will remain clean. After which I’ll have a light breakfast.”
“Very good,” Mrs. Swithin said.
“As I see you ladies have everything under control, I’ll see if Her Grace is ready to visit the dressmaker. Lady Kathleen, we will return in time for luncheon and learn how your patient is fairing,” Simon uttered, and then bowed and marched from the room.
After Matthew’s injury was treated and she was dressed in a clean, light-green day dress with sleeves ending at the elbow and a modest neckline, Kathleen returned to his suite. Sweeping in, she was met by Serena.
“Perfect. Now relax as your breakfast will be here in a few minutes,” the grand lady told Kathleen.
“I appreciate that you took care of arranging the meal. With what happened to Matthew I’m a bit at wits ends. I should be better in a while, then I need to hunt down a book to read. That will help pass the time while sitting here.”
“If you would like to borrow them, I brought a few new romance novels from Minerva Press. I’ve read them.”
Kathleen did her best to control her excitement on hearing she’d be reading new books. The ones she had were several years old and had been read so many times the spines were coming loose. She was about to express her gratitude when Mrs. Swithin entered.
“Where would you like to have breakfast, m’ lady?”
Easily Kathleen pulled a table in front of her. “Here please.”
While she partook of her first meal of the day, Kathleen kept glancing over to Matthew. She was happy his skin color was returning to the sun-rubbed light brown of a man who preferred being outside.
“Yes, my dear, he is slowly improving. With luck, he might awaken sometime today. If so, I’ve learned Cook has already made several light soups for him.”
Once Kathleen finished eating, she nodded to the housekeeper to remove the salver.
“Thank Cook for me,” Kathleen declared.
“I will, and His Lordship’s bandage should not need changing until after luncheon. I’ll arrange for trays to be brought for you, m’ ladies.
With a nod, Kathleen dismissed the housekeeper then turned her attention to Serena.
&n
bsp; “I’m not sure if this is my place or not, but shouldn’t his father be told of Matthew being shot?”
“No, you’re not overstepping your bounds. As you said last eve, you and my son are going to marry soon so you belonged here. I’ve already spoken with Simon, and he is in agreement also. Let me have a maid come sit with you, and I’ll retire to the office and pen the letter then have King select the groom and horse to deliver the note to London. Granted, by the time my husband arrives, Matthew will have healed and be up and about, but that can’t be helped.”
Standing, Kathleen swept to the door and reached for the latch when it was yanked from her hand. In stepped her mother.
“This is a pleasant surprise. Do come in,” Kathleen pronounced then retreated back to her chair.
“And how is your patient this morning? Greatly improved I pray.”
“I wish I could say Matthew was, but he still hasn’t awoken. His color has returned. Last night when I arrived he was pasty white.”
“Elsie, we are hoping to see some progress today as he’s been moaning a little more. Now that you’re here to sit with your daughter, if you’ll excuse me, I need to pen a letter to Matthew’s father telling him what happened.”
Giving Serena a nod, Kathleen waited then waved her mother into the chair now empty.
“Did father come with you?”
“Yes. He’s speaking with Simon about having some of our staff come over to help protect the manor. From what I understand, Simon and Emma will be going into the village. That seems strange.”
“Actually no. They are going to pass the word of Matthew being shot and that he might not live. The hope is that Ringer will come out of hiding to make sure he does die. Then, in a few days, we are going to confront the Earl and Countess of Redditch.”
“That all makes sense. Now, besides coming to see you’re well after your hasty departure, I came for another reason. Your father and I know you’ll refuse to leave Matthew’s side until he’s well. To that end, I had Patty pack a trunk for you, and she will also be staying here to assist you and act, when needed, as chaperone.”
“Thank you, and you are correct. I also wish to thank you for sending this dress and undergarments over this morning. Personally, I’ll never understand how gentlemen can stay in boots and britches all day.”
“You get used to wearing them from an early age,” Simon announced, as he, with Emma at his side and Roger following, stepped in.
“As you can see, we were delayed in leaving for the village. We will depart shortly, and Roger agrees with the plan. He’s decided to go with us in our carriage. That way, Elsie, if you wish to retreat to your estate before we return you’ll have a coach,” Emma said.
“All I ask is that you have several grooms along as guards,” Roger stated.
“I would, but I’m going to stay and have luncheon here. I feel Kathleen and Serena could use my support.”
“Good. Then we shall see you in a few hours for lunch,” Roger said.
Alone, once again with her mother, Kathleen stood and stepped over to where Matthew lay. Glancing down, she gently placed a hand on his arm then quickly pulled it away and turned to her mother.
“Quickly, find Cook or Mrs. Swithin. Matthew’s skin feels like it’s on fire. I’m afraid he has an infection,” she declared.
“Yes. I’ll be back as quickly as possible. I’ll also inform Serena.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Kathleen remembered from when she was younger and had been sick her mother had bathed her with cool water. Seeing the basin on the bedside table, she took up one of the clean flannels and started to do the same to Matthew starting with his face. She’d only gotten as far as his neck when she heard several people enter the suite. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched Mrs. Swithin and Cook rush up to the bed.
“M’ lady, keep bathing him with the cool water while Cook and I take a look at the wound.”
“I plan to, but will take care around the injury.”
Hearing two others rush in, Kathleen didn’t even need to look as she recognized her mother and Serena’s voice. Concentrating on the task at hand, Kathleen slowly continued to bath Matthew. Taking extra care on his chest she then did one arm and was about to start on the other when a hand stopped her.
“Yes?”
“As you can see, His Lordship has an infection, but thanks to your swift thinking and action we’ll be able to stop it from spreading. I’m going to the kitchen where I have a salve which we’ll put on the wound. With a few hours his fever should go away,” Cook said, then swept from the room.
“Mrs. Swithin, is there anything Lady Stratham and I can do to help?”
“Yes. As Lady Kathleen has gone as far as I will allow, would one of you mind taking over the sponging of Lord Matthew’s lower half.”
“I’ll continue,” Kathleen demanded.
“No, you will not. I’m aware you wish to help in any way possible, but that is not allowed. Now remove yourself from the room while I take over,” Serena ordered.
Someone gripped her shoulders, and she turned.
“Come, daughter, we can be of assistance. What with Cook having to spend time here, away from the kitchen, let’s see if we can help out in preparing luncheon. Later, when Lord Matthew is awake, you can tell him what we did. I’m sure he will get a good chuckle on hearing you actually can cook a meal,” Elsie said.
Kathleen suspected trying to argue with either mother would be useless so she handed Serena the cloth then followed hers downstairs and to the kitchen. Walking in, Kathleen looked around and smiled when a young girl stepped up and curtsied.
“M’ ladies, I go by Carol. I’m Cook’s assistant. How may I help you?”
“As Cook will be busy helping to treat Lorde Matthew, for how long we don’t know, Her Ladyship and I came to see if you needed assistance in preparing luncheon. Before you say no, we are very familiar with kitchens as many times one or both of us help out in ours,” Kathleen explained.
“Oh. Um. Can either of you ladies make bread. I also need to make something for dessert.”
“I’m a little better at bread making than Lady Kathleen. If you’ll show me were the ingredients and pan are, I’ll get to work,” Elsie declared.
“M’ lady, everything you’ll need is right over there,” Carol pointed to a table set under a small window.
Kathleen waited while her mother walked over and started working then turned to the young girl.
“Do we have apples?”
“Yes, m’ lady. What were you thinking?
“I’ll make apple fritters and serve them with clotted cream. That’s very simple and easy to do.”
“I do like your suggestion, and we already have the cream so we won’t need to make that.”
“Wonderful. If you don’t mind, I’ll work here.”
Over the next hour, Kathleen mixed up a dipping batter and prepared the thick apple slices, all the while pondering Simon and Emma’s reaction on learning who’d made them. When Cook returned from caring for Kathleen’s love, she was flabbergasted. Kathleen told the gracious woman, “Learning to work in the kitchen is something I’m not ashamed to do. I find doing so to be relaxing and rewarding when I dine on the meal I’ve made.”
Returning to Matthew’s suite, Kathleen swept up to the bed and rested her hand on his arm. Much to her amazement, his skin did feel much cooler than before. Glancing to Mrs. Swithin, Kathleen nodded.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d declare you two ladies are miracle workers. Has he stirred at all?”
“No, he hasn’t, but with the fever now gone I’m hopeful he will.”
With a smile, Kathleen stepped over to Serena, who appeared exhausted from the stress.
“M’ lady, as we have time before the others return for luncheon, might I suggest you rest? My mother and I will sit with Matthew.”
“Yes, I will, thank you.”
Taking the chair from earlier and across from her mother, Kathleen no
ticed a book sitting on the table at her elbow. Picking up the nicely leather-bound tome, she looked at the title and smiled.
“Am I to gather Serena left that for you?”
“Yes, she must have had her maid bring the book over. We’d been talking earlier, and I’d mentioned I hadn’t read a new one in a long time. She said, while I’m caring for her son I was more than welcome to borrow them.”
“That’s very nice of her. However, I don’t wish you to doze off in the chair. Sleep in the suite Serena has arranged for you. If something happens to Matthew, one way or another, the staff will come get you.”
“I will, Mother, as this morning when I woke I was stiff from sitting up all night.”
Accepting a head bob from the grand lady, Kathleen started reading. The time passed so quickly she didn’t realize luncheon would soon be served until Simon, Emma, and her father strolled in.
“Welcome back. How was the trip into the village?” Kathleen asked.
“Surprisingly, quite well. When we let slip as to what had happened to Matthew, everyone was incensed. I suspect the word will be passed around the town, and in short order we’ll have eyes and ears throughout the entire district,” Simon exclaimed.
“From what you just said, I’m guessing you told the people that Jonas Ringer was the one who attacked Matthew?”
“Yes, he did, and you should have seen the anger in some people’s faces. If any of them find Ringer before we do I suspect there won’t be enough of him to go before Roger, as magistrate,” Emma said.
“Except I will excuse myself from sitting in judgement over the man. I’d recommend he be taken to London and Bow Street. Let them execute him. Now, as I hear the luncheon bell being sounded, shall we adjourn to the dining room?” Roger gestured toward the door.
With a smirk, Kathleen peered over to her mother who shook her head. Kathleen acknowledged with a head bob.
“And before you say you wish to dine here, Mrs. Swithin will be watching over your heart’s desire,” Emma teased.
As much as Kathleen wished to say something, she suspected her words would fall on deaf ears bringing more comments from the others. Placing the book back on the table, she stood, and with her mother following made her way to the dining room. Stepping in, she saw Cook standing, arms at her sides by the door leading to the kitchen.
The Viscount's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 2) Page 16