“You must come to my house. I have dozens of empty bedrooms and more than enough staff to cope with the demands of nursing sickly children. Get your maid to pack your necessities. I shall organise the rest.”
Without asking if Sarah was agreeable, he strode out, presumably to speak to Sir John and arrange for carriages to be harnessed. Heaven knew what her employer would think of being dragged from his bed at this time of the night. She thanked God Isobel had succumbed to this disease before visiting her baby brother.
There was no other option, but there was one thing Dr. Moorcroft had not considered when he issued his instructions. What would the neighbourhood think about an unmarried woman living in a bachelor’s establishment? Would her reputation be in tatters, or was a mere governess too insignificant to count?
An hour after Dr. Moorcroft had left her, Sarah sat in a luxurious carriage with Isobel’s head resting on her lap. Betty accompanied her. The other three girls were travelling in a separate vehicle with Nancy and Jo. Betty balanced a jug of cold water in her lap, while Sarah bathed the child’s burning face with a wet cloth and then returned it to be refreshed. There was nothing else she could do until they reached their destination.
She could scarcely credit she was removing from Bentley Manor in this unorthodox way. It could well be several weeks before she was able to return with her charges. The incubation period for measles could be as long as two weeks. It would be unwise to leave quarantine until Dr. Moorcroft was satisfied none of them would bring the contagion with them.
Although this was an ailment children suffered from, occasionally adults succumbed as well.
She had not had time to enquire if the nursery maids were immune. “Betty, do you recall if you had measles as a child?”
“I had several fevers, but I don’t rightly know if any of them were because of the measles. It is good of the doctor to take us in. Mind you, Miss Shaw, it’s a huge house he has and only himself and his mother living there. He’s a widower, you know. He moved here a few years back after his wife died. Reckon he—”
“That’s enough, Betty. We should not be discussing Dr. Moorcroft’s private life. It is none of our business.” Sarah squeezed out the cloth and continued with her ministrations. Such a relief she would not be unchaperoned. When she next wrote to Mama, she would not have to prevaricate about the circumstances of the move to Bentley village. Her eyes pricked, and she swallowed a lump in her throat. She hated to think of her dearest mother being obliged to live as an unpaid companion to an elderly relative, but when her father had passed away his stipend had gone with him.
The new rector of the parish had arrived with his young family, and both she and her mother were forced to find alternative arrangements. Sarah had become a governess; her mother had gone to live with a distant cousin. Her dream was one day they would be reunited in their own home.
The carriage slowed, and in the moonlight she saw an imposing gatepost. Almost immediately they were stationary. The door was snatched open.
“Miss Shaw, allow me to take the child. I have a chamber prepared. The sooner we get her settled the better. The next forty-eight hours will prove crucial to the outcome of this.” Dr. Moorcroft leant in and scooped up Isobel.
Leaving Betty to tip out the remainder of the water, Sarah followed him up the steps and into a large vestibule. She scarcely had time to take in her surroundings as he bounded up the stairs, and she was obliged to hurry after him. A small army of male servants was already unloading the luggage. No doubt their belongings would be dealt with by the chambermaids. It had been a miracle of organisation for the doctor to have marshalled his staff in the middle of the night.
“I have opened the east wing for your use. I’m afraid you and the girls must remain up here until I am certain they are clear of infection.” He shouldered his way through a half-open door and carried Isobel through a commodious parlour and into the bedchamber. She watched him place the girl tenderly in the waiting bed. All the windows were wide open, but the drapes were drawn, making the room cool and dark. There were a further three small beds in the room. He was obviously anticipating the other girls’ catching the disease.
“I shall continue to bathe her with cold water unless you have any other instructions for me,” Sarah told him.
“No, I do not. You seem a sensible young woman. I shall leave the child’s care to you for the moment. I am going to examine the other three. It’s quite possible they will succumb before the day is out.”
“I see that everything is ready if they do. Is there alternative accommodation for the children?”
“Of course; these beds are for them if they become infected.” He yawned and rubbed his eyes, grinning apologetically. “I beg your pardon, Miss Shaw. I had just returned from another call when your missive arrived. I have yet to seek my bed.”
“Then I shall not detain you, Dr. Moorcroft. I shall send word to you if Isobel’s condition worsens.”
Chapter Five
Adam was happy to discover the other three girls had no fever, no sign of a runny nose or dry cough, at least for the moment. He could scarcely keep his eyes open, whereas a few years ago he could have stayed up for two days without being fatigued. He smiled ruefully. He considered himself in his prime at three and thirty, but his body was telling him otherwise. He would retire. Hopefully he would get a few hours sleep before he was called to the sickroom, or anywhere else.
His mother would be delighted to have visitors, even if they were to be constrained in the east wing for the moment. Although she had made several friends in the neighbourhood, she found the quiet of the countryside a sore trial after having spent most of her life in the city.
It hardly seemed worth undressing. The dawn chorus had already started. It would be full light soon. He pulled off his boots and stretched out on top of the coverlet. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift over the events of that fateful day. When he’d seen Miss Shaw and her entourage arrive at the fair, his first instinct had been to walk the other way. But something had impelled him to travel in her direction. Why was this? She was the antithesis of everything he admired in a young lady.
Slowly he reviewed her attributes: she was overly tall and thin, her hair an indeterminate brown colour. She had far too much to say for herself and disliked horses. His lips curved. From this list, one would think she was an antidote. Nothing of the sort, she was kind and intelligent, certainly courageous and not afraid of hard work, but what attracted him were her eyes. As he drifted into sleep, his head filled with the image of violet eyes deep enough to drown in.
The next morning, he rolled from his bed and startled his manservant who was preparing his shaving equipment. “Edwards, I require clean linen. I shall shave myself this morning. It will wake me up.”
Adam was relieved there had been no summons to the east wing. This must mean Isobel was no worse. He was sharp set. He would break his fast and then seek out his mother and tell her about the unexpected arrivals. She would be wondering what was going on in the normally too-quiet house.
When he strode into the breakfast parlour, he was surprised to find her already there.
“My dear, you look quite exhausted. I had thought when we removed here to the country I would see more of you, not less.” His mother pointed to the chair next to hers and dutifully he folded himself on to it. The footman was well aware what he liked to eat in the morning and would bring over his heaped plate. The coffee jug was already on the table.
“I like to keep occupied, Mama. It gives me less time to dwell on the past. It is likely to be even busier in the future. No doubt you have heard I made the east wing into a quarantine ward. Sir John’s oldest girl has contracted measles, and she is being nursed by her governess. The other three girls are well at the moment and have their own nursemaids to take care of them.”
“Good heavens! I can see why you did so, my dear. You cannot risk the health of the new baby. Celia Fenwick told me you advised her against this last pregnancy, so
this much longed for son will be the last child she bears.”
“Exactly so. Unless she wishes to leave her children motherless, she will avoid further childbearing.” He smiled at his mother. She understood his need to unburden himself sometimes.
“Miss Shaw, the governess, is she to join us for dinner tonight?”
“No, she cannot leave her charges. Don’t poker up, Mama. She is here to do a job, not to socialise.”
“Of course she is, but I hope I will have an opportunity to meet her before she leaves. I assume she is of a more robust personality than the last two specimens Celia employed.”
He chuckled. “Miss Shaw is as different to them as chalk is to cheese. I must admit I did not take to her at first, but on further acquaintance I’m finding her more to my liking.”
“I should think you did not, my dear, after she caused you to go headfirst into a hedge that night. It she a comely young woman?”
This enquiry was not as innocent as it sounded. His mama was constantly throwing out hints that he look for another wife. Martha had been dead for more than five years; he rarely saw her face now, but sometimes he could still hear her soft Irish brogue in his head as he was falling asleep.
“She has mouse brown hair, is above average height and thin as a rail. However she has a lively intelligence and is excellent with her charges.” He refrained from mentioning her amazing eyes.
“Those girls are dreadfully spoilt. Celia should have known better. It’s small wonder governesses only remain in that establishment for a short time. Do you think Miss Shaw will do any better?”
“I do. She’s a most unusual young lady. I don’t believe I told you what happened in the schoolroom that first day?”
“She sounds a most unusual young lady. I shall go up and introduce myself later.”
“You cannot, Mama. The east wing is an isolation ward at the moment.”
“Adam, I am well aware measles is highly infectious, but surely it only passes from those that already have the illness? Presumably Miss Shaw is not so afflicted and neither am I. I shall invite her to come down and take coffee with me. We have ample staff to watch the girls in her absence.”
He admitted defeat. He would like to see what his mother thought of the young woman who was occupying far too much of his thoughts.
Sarah looked up as the bedroom door opened and her maid entered. It had been a long night, but she was sure Isobel was improving. Although she was coughing dreadfully, her fever was lower. Her face was now liberally sprinkled with telltale red marks, and until the rash fully developed the girl could still be in danger of complications.
“Betty, I’m glad to see you. Can I leave you to watch our patient whilst I refresh myself and check on the other girls?”
“I’ve spoken to Nancy, miss. All three are champing at the bit. Why don’t you get some sleep, miss. I promise to rouse you if there’s a need.”
“I should dearly like to do that, but I have no idea in which chamber I am situated.”
“You have the room directly opposite this one. I have laid out your night things, and there’s hot water in the dressing room. I’ve left you chocolate and sweet morning rolls; I expect you’re starving.”
Food was exactly what she needed, that and a few hours sleep. Yawning hugely, she left her capable maid to watch over the sleeping child and stepped into the corridor, coming face-to-face with her host.
“Good morning, Miss Shaw. I take it our patient is doing well.”
Quickly swallowing her yawn, Sarah forced her lips to smile. She was well aware that her dress was sadly crumpled and her face etched with fatigue. It should not matter, but for some reason it did. “Isobel’s fever is somewhat reduced, the rash is appearing, and she’s sleeping. I would not have agreed to leave her otherwise. Also, the other girls remain unaffected for the moment. I am returning to my chamber in order to write a letter to Sir John and Lady Fenwick telling them the crisis for Isobel is over.”
He raised a hand as if to take her arm and then thought better of it. “I shall inform both parents when I visit this morning. I have several other calls to make. I doubt I shall be around until later this afternoon. There have been several cases of measles in the village.” He smiled down at her, and she couldn’t help responding. “On a lighter note, my mother wishes to meet you. When you are rested, perhaps you would consider going down and introducing yourself?”
Disconcerted by his invitation, her cheeks coloured. “Thank you, Dr. Moorcroft. If I am able to snatch a half an hour, I would love to go down and meet Mrs. Moorcroft. Pray excuse me, I have not eaten since yesterday morning, and there is a tray waiting in my parlour.”
He nodded, and she noticed his eyes crinkled endearingly at the corners when he smiled. She whisked into her room, hoping he hadn’t been aware she was staring at him. She had never felt the slightest interest in a gentleman before. She had been introduced to several hopeful young men whilst her father had been alive, but none of them had made her heart beat faster the way this one did.
Not bothering to undress completely, she stretched out on the bed, feeling pleasantly full after her repast. She would rest for a couple of hours and then take the children for a walk in the gardens; as long as they met no one else, that should be perfectly safe. She sighed. She supposed she’d better ask Dr. Moorcroft before the girls left the east wing.
Much refreshed after her rest, Sarah put her green muslin gown back on, straightened her hair, and was ready to return to her duties. The sound of childish laughter below her window attracted her attention. To her astonishment, her host was outside playing cricket with the girls. Nancy and Jo were joining in enthusiastically. Surely he was supposed to be out on calls this morning?
Smiling at their antics, she waved. He waved back, and Lorna beckoned her. She would join them, but on the way it would be polite to stop and speak to Mrs. Moorcroft. A parlour maid directed her to the drawing room, but did not offer to announce her or hold the doors open.
She was pleased to discover they did not stand on ceremony here, unlike Bentley Manor.
She hesitated outside the door, then took a deep breath and knocked. Immediately she was bid enter and found herself face-to-face with a small, plump woman with fading brown hair.
“Miss Shaw, do come in. I have been anticipating your arrival this past hour. Adam said you would call in after you had rested. He tells me your little patient is doing well, has taken some broth, and is no longer in any danger.”
Sarah curtsied politely. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am you were able to accommodate us all at such short notice. Dr. Moorcroft says we must remain here for a full two weeks after the last symptom of the measles has gone. So far no one else has shown signs of the disease. I’m praying it might be only Isobel who has caught it.”
“It’s too soon to say that the other little girls have been spared, but if none of them develop any symptoms within two weeks, then I think you can safely say they are not going to catch it. Won’t you sit with me for a while, Miss Shaw? Tell me a little about yourself.”
“If you will excuse me on this occasion, ma’am, I’m on my way to play cricket in the garden with the children.”
Mrs. Moorcroft rustled to her feet, her burgundy silk gown swirling about her ankles. “Then if you are not needed in the sickroom, please join us for dinner. We keep country hours…” She laughed. “Indeed, I should rephrase that. Dinner is supposed to be eaten at five o’clock, however it is frequently far later than that because Adam is out visiting a patient somewhere. Hopefully tonight he will not be called away.”
“I should be delighted to join you, if I can. However, I do not have an evening gown. Do you dress for dinner?”
“Good heavens, no, my dear. Adam dislikes formality of any sort; come as you are. That is a delightful gown. You should always wear green, as it complements your eyes.”
When she appeared in the garden she was greeted with hugs and kisses from her charges and a charming smile from her hos
t. She loved to see a gentleman at ease with children. She couldn’t imagine why she had ever thought him disagreeable. Eventually, the game was over and Nancy and Jo returned the girls to their temporary nursery, leaving Sarah to stroll back with Dr. Moorcroft.
“I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed myself so much, Miss Shaw. I have little leisure time; as a rule I prefer to keep busy.”
“I was intending to ask you for permission to bring Lottie, Beth, and Lorna into the gardens. I’m delighted you consider it safe for them to be outside like this.”
“As long as they remain on this side of the house, there’s little danger of them meeting any other children. I must warn you, Miss Shaw, there have been two deaths already from this epidemic. Both children were from the gypsy encampment, but I’m hoping they will be the only ones.”
She shuddered and sent up a quick prayer to the Almighty for the souls of the departed little ones. “How long before we know if the others have contracted the disease?”
“The incubation period is ten to twelve days, although sometimes when the strain is particularly virulent it can appear much sooner. I have had a most enjoyable hour, but I must return to my duties. No doubt we will meet again tomorrow.”
“Mrs. Moorcroft has invited me to dine with you, so we might well meet sooner than that.”
One finely arched eyebrow raised, something flashed across his eyes, and then he smiled blandly. “In which case, Miss Shaw, I had better make an effort to be on time.” He nodded, waved a nonchalant hand, and strode off in the direction of the stables. Sarah was left unsure whether he was displeased by her disclosure.
She spent the remainder of the day with Isobel, whose fever had risen again, although this time she was not delirious. She was not going to be able to go down for dinner. She would send her regrets with a footman. She was disappointed to miss this opportunity to get to know both the doctor and his delightful mother. She called Nancy into the sickroom.
Miss Shaw and the Doctor Page 5