Page 56 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
Caroline smiled at him as she raised the hand he’d been holding and rested it on the side of his face, his own smile appearing as he leaned his head into her hand. It felt so good to have her eyes open and gazing upon the man she loved so dearly. When she’d been kidnapped, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever see William again or even be alive for much longer. Feeling the sun on her now and the presence of William so close to her helped Caroline be at ease.
“May I have something to drink?” Caroline asked after a few more moments of simply being grateful that she was alive.
“Of course. How foolish of me. I should have rung the cord the moment you were awake,” William said as he sniffled, then rose from his chair to pull the servant’s cord next to her bed. The door had already been left open, no doubt because she was alone with William.
The moment the household heard the news that Caroline was awake, her bedchamber became full of activity. Her lady’s maid came to help her sit up and help her take small sips from a full cup of water. The Murphys soon arrived in her room, all clearly worried about her.
“Oh, Caroline!” Gwendolen exclaimed as she came into the room and took up William’s chair. “I have been so worried about you.” Caroline’s lady’s maid stepped back as the Lord and Lady Murphy came near.
“Just a little under the weather is all,” Caroline said with a smile, though her body felt rather weak.
“I can’t imagine how you are feeling after the horrible ordeal you’ve been through,” Lady Murphy said with a handkerchief close to her mouth, her face appearing as though she’d been crying by the dark circles underneath her eyes.
“I am with you all now, and that is all that matters,” Caroline said in a reassuring voice, her eyes settling on William as she spoke. Her actions might be a little forward, but after everything she’d been through, she was ready for the world to know that she loved William and would be his wife one day.
“I’m sure the madam would like to be freshened up now,” spoke up her lady’s maid. Caroline did feel the call of nature and thought she would like the opportunity to get out of the bed and stretch her tired body.
“Of course. Let’s give Miss Caroline some privacy. I’m sure she’ll be up for visitors soon enough. I will call upon the doctor and let him know that you are awake,” Lord Murphy said.
“Thank you,” Caroline said as they all moved to leave. It took Gwendolen pulling on William’s sleeve to get him to budge, but eventually he left as well. The moment the doors were closed, her lady’s maid and two other maids came to help Caroline from the bed. She was thankful for their assistance in relieving herself, and very much enjoyed the warm bath that was provided afterwards.
“I feel as though I have been asleep for days,” Caroline commented as the maids eased her down into the warm bath water that had been scented with a delightful perfume. The windowpanes had been pulled open to let in fresh, warm air, helping Caroline relax even more.
“It’s been a full day since the night you were rescued by Sir Roberts,” her lady’s maid informed her. “You’ve suffered a terrible cold and fever since then.”
“That does explain why I feel so sore,” Caroline said. “I wonder if I should be taking a walk around the gardens for a bit of exercise.”
“You should be resting, Miss. I know you already feel as though you’ve done enough resting, but you need to give your body time. The girls have already put new linens on your bed, too.”
“I suppose you are right, then,” Caroline mumbled as she allowed her lady’s maid to wash her hair. Once she was done with the bath, her hair combed, she dressed into a fresh nightgown and returned to her bed. After being propped up on a number of pillows, her lady’s maid helped her eat a bit of toast and jam.
Just then, Lord Murphy opened the door to her bedchamber and announced that the doctor had arrived. An older gentleman came into the room carrying a leather bag, which he set next to Caroline’s bed as he came close to inspect her.
“How are you faring, Miss Goldman?” the doctor asked as he felt her forehead with the back of his hand.
“Well enough, I suppose. Sore all over, but well,” Caroline explained.
“Your skin seems dry and clear, not feverish and pale like before. You have good complexion and it appears as though you are eating and drinking normally.”
“Yes, that is true.”
“If the fever returns or the soreness increases, do call upon me again,” the doctor said as he opened his medical bag and pulled out a small amber bottle. “This is for the pain, should you experience any more discomfort.” He then set it on the table beside her bed before dipping his head and making his way out of the bedchamber.
“Seems as though the good doctor is satisfied with your recovery,” Lord Murphy said with a shrug. Caroline chuckled as she nodded. “Well then. I shall return to the drawing room and let the others know you’re faring well.”
“You may send them all up if you like. I’m tired but don’t wish to sleep till tonight,” Caroline said, trying to muster up a decent smile.
“Are you sure, Miss Caroline? There is no rush,” Lord Murphy said.
“I think a bit of company will do me some good,” she explained.
“Very well. I shall inform them.” Lord Murphy then dipped his head before leaving the room. While Caroline waited for her visitors, she took a few more bites of the toast as her lady’s maid stood at the ready in case Caroline would need any assistance.
“Oh good, you’re still awake,” Gwendolen said as she entered with her mother. William was close behind them, along with Lord Sergio. It was Lord Murphy that brought up the rear as they all settled into Caroline’s bedchamber, Gwendolen coming to sit beside her on the chair next to her bed.
“I have already slept so much yet still feel tired,” Caroline said with a chuckle. “It is no fun to be under the weather.”
“I feel you are lucky to still be alive,” Lord Sergio said.
