A Marriage of Convenience (Ebook) Book 5

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Grafton Hall, Millcastle. 1842

Just one more step…
Ruby turned into the wind and stumbled forward, the distant lights of the house appearing and disappearing through the trees as she navigated the treacherously icy grounds. The skirts of her gown were soaked and dragging her down, her boots were worn through, and the weight of her burdens felt as insurmountable as the relentless rain. She kept moving, her gaze on the promise of warmth and security. Not love—she couldn’t expect that—but at least she’d survive.
Her feet hit the graveled surface of the drive, and she went toward the huge oak-fronted door. With the last of her strength, she lifted the brass knocker and hammered on the door.
A confusion of noise—dogs barking, people shouting, and suddenly, a familiar voice that made her sink to her knees, weak with relief.
“Caroline…” she whispered as the darkness threatened to overcome her. “Help my daughter.”

The next time she woke up was to sunlight shining through half-opened curtains. The brightness made her eyes hurt. Her older sister sat beside her bed reading a book.
“Where’s Nora?” Ruby whispered.
“She’s in the nursery.” Caroline hesitated. “Nurse is watching over her. She seems overly warm, as do you.”
“I want her with me.”
“Then I will fetch her.” Caroline stood up. “You both have a fever. I have asked Dr. Nash to come and see you when he returns from Millcastle.”
A shudder ran through Ruby. “I can’t afford a doctor,” she murmured as she shifted restlessly against the sheets. “And they can’t do anything anyway.”
“Dr. Nash would disagree with you. He considers himself very competent, indeed.” Caroline paused to stroke Ruby’s lank hair away from her face. “Try and sleep. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Ruby forced herself to stay awake until Caroline returned with Nora and tucked the bairn in beside her. She desperately wanted to rest but was terrified that Nora was barely conscious and very hot.
“Don’t let her die,” she whispered. “She’s all I have left.”
“We’ll do our very best,” Caroline reassured her. There was a murmur of voices and the door opened. “Dr. Nash has just arrived.” She turned her head. “Good evening, doctor. This is my sister Ruby and her daughter Nora. They are both feverish.”
“Ma’am.” Dr. Nash—tall, dark, and unsmiling—nodded as he removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves. “May I attend to the baby first?”
“Don’t hurt her.” Ruby reluctantly released Nora into his large, capable hands.
“I’m a trained physician, ma’am. My calling in life bids me do no harm,” he said, his upper-class accent becoming more pronounced. “How old is Nora?” He set Nora on his knee and listened to her breathing.
“Almost one.”
“Have either of you been in contact with anyone who has recently been unwell?”
Ruby tried to smile. “We lived in a crowded tenement, sir. Someone was always sick.”
“Any other symptoms? Bloody flux, coughing, retching, stomach spasms, disordered bowels?”
“It’s not cholera, if that’s what you’re asking.” Ruby was aware of Caroline’s involuntary gasp. “I’d not bring that to my sister’s house.”
“I don’t think it is, either.” The doctor turned to Caroline. “Can you hold the child while I exam the mother?"
After washing his hands, he came toward the bed. Ruby was suddenly aware of the stink of her unwashed body and clothing and the coal dust that constantly clung to her skin. He listened to her rasping breath, felt her forehead, and took her pulse with a calm efficiency that was somehow soothing.
“Do you know what afflicts them, Dr. Nash?” Caroline asked in a low tone as she gave Nora back to Ruby.
“Nothing I can put a name to, but that’s not unusual when dealing with illnesses in crowded, badly ventilated spaces.” Dr. Nash’s gaze lingered on Nora. “We need to bring their temperatures down and feed them plain victuals. They should drink plenty of water that’s been boiled to prevent infection. I suspect a few days of good food, rest, and your staff’s attention will do wonders.”
Even as she struggled to concentrate, Ruby was aware of something in the doctor’s voice. Was he angry because he’d been asked to treat her? Did he consider the working class beneath him?
“I will care for my sister, myself, Doctor Nash,” Caroline said. “And there is no need to take that tone with me. I didn’t cause any of this.”
Ruby’s gaze flew to the doctor’s face.
Grimacing, he said, “I apologize, my lady, I meant no disrespect. It simply annoys me that people are forced to live in such conditions.” He put his coat back on and took a brown glass bottle out of his bag. “If your sister becomes feverish again, administer a teaspoon of this in water. Don’t give it to the child.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded and came back to the bed to look down at Ruby. “You should be feeling a lot better in a day or two, but please ask for me if you experience any other symptoms.”
Ruby nodded.
His expression softened as he said, “Good morning, ma’am.”
He left the room and Caroline let out a huff of breath. “He really is the most infuriating man.”
“He was kind to me.” Ruby gazed at Nora’s flushed face.
“No one denies that he is an excellent doctor,” Caroline said. “It’s just that he can be rather abrasive. He obviously thinks I have failed in my duty toward you. Would you like me to bathe Nora while you take a nap?”
“If you bathe her where I can see you.”
“Of course.” Caroline rang the bell and a maid appeared like magic.
Ruby had almost forgotten what it was like to have other people caring for your needs. Within minutes a small bath filled with lukewarm water was set on the chest of drawers.
After Caroline gently undressed the baby, she glanced over at Ruby. “There are several items of clothing my children have outgrown that might be suitable for Nora. May I fetch some of them?”
“You may dress her how you please, sister.” Ruby was too tired to argue about stupid things. “I’d like to see her looking well.”
Caroline gently lowered the baby into the water and scooped water over her body.
“Goodness! Her hair is fair.”
Ruby had a vivid memory of Sidney holding his daughter and exclaiming over the same thing. After he’d gone, keeping Nora clean enough to maintain the brightness of her hair had become less important than surviving.
Guilt flooded Ruby. “You mean she’s filthy and that I should be ashamed of myself.”
“Ruby…” Caroline wrapped Nora in a soft towel and brought her back to the bed. “I know how hard it is to get clean water when you’re living in a tenement. We all lived like that once.”
Ruby cuddled her daughter and inhaled the sweet scent of the lemon soap Caroline had used in the bathwater.
“She’ll need feeding. I… don’t have enough milk.”
“Then I’ll find someone who does.” Caroline swooped in and picked up Nora again. “You need to sleep. I will take Nora up to the nursery, find her some new clothing, and consult with Nurse.”
Ruby began to protest but Caroline held up her finger. “Do you trust me, sister?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then allow me to do this for you.” Caroline held her gaze. Ruby often forgot that her older sister was formidable in her own way. “I promise I will take care of her and bring her back very promptly.”
After Ruby nodded, Caroline smiled and walked away the baby cradled in her arms.
It took less than a minute for Ruby to fall into a deep, and thankfully dreamless, sleep.