Page 66 of The Quiet Wife
They all waited. “I’m afraid you have scarlet fever, and you will need to rest for a little while.”
The girls all stared at him wide eyed.
“You are not children anymore, so I suspect you will feel quite unwell for a few days, but nothing to worry about.”
“Mrs Whistler said that” Florence confirmed.
“Well, Mrs Whistler is a wise lady. Now, I’m going to leave you some medicines to help you feel better.”
“Mrs Whistler has some American remedies,” Elinor piped up. Frances glanced at the doctor, but he just raised his eyebrows.
“My word,” he declared. “Then you are most fortunate.”
For the first time since Nanny Jenks had told her about the girls being ill, Frances felt less lightheaded and that she could breathe easier.
“Thank you, doctor,” she said gratefully.
Frances accompanied him back down the stairs, and in the hallway found Anna and Jemie.
“Allow me to introduce you to Mr Whistler, the artist, and his mother, Mrs Anna Whistler.”
Doctor Emslie shook hands with both of them. “Ah, the very wise Mrs Whistler with the American remedies?” he asked.
Anna smiled.
“And what are these American remedies?”
“Probably much the same as yours,” she said, allowing the American lilt to show. “I felt a little magic was needed to lift their spirits.” She reeled off what she intended using and Doctor Emslie granted his approval. He dispensed sensible advice, left some bottles of medicine and some powders before he left and promised to return in a few days to check on the patients.
“I should let my husband know,” Frances announced, thinking whatever astronomical sum Frederick paid to retain him was worth every penny.
Jemie stared at her. “Your husband is athome? I thought he must be at the office when he didn’t come to see them.”
“He is in his study,” Frances admitted, unable to look at either Jemie or Anna because the shame of it would show all over her face.
“I see. Ah, forgive me, but why in God’s name is he in hisstudy?” Jemie asked, his temper showing. He was usually the most easy going of men, but he had demonstrated his fiery side on a few occasions.
“Jemie,” his mother murmured in vain.
“He didn’t think that we should worry until the doctor had confirmed what it was.”
“Well, the doctor has confirmed. You can tell him now. I’m sure the girls will be delighted to see him.”
“I’m sure they will. Would you excuse me?” Frances hurried away, knowing that Jemie was right.
***
“Doctor Emslie has seen the children, and they have scarlet fever,” she announced, striding into Frederick’s study.
He nodded. “Thank you for telling me.”
“Are you going to go up and see them? I’ve put them all in Fannie’s room so they aren’t alone and afraid, and it will be easier to look after them.”
“I’ll pop in before I leave.”
“Leave?” Frances clenched her teeth.
He nodded and wrote something on the paper in front of him. “I need to go to Liverpool. I might be gone for some time.”
