Page 33 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
“No, a fever has set in. We must act now,” Alice retorted, not accepting the aunt’s lack of understanding.
“I am sure you exaggerate so that you can gain the attention ofHis Grace,” Lady Davina accused, unaffected by Alice’s explanation. “You may have seduced him with your wickedness, but you cannot fool me. I will be along later to check on the child’s progress. For now, go and do what you are paid to do and care for the child.”
Alice knew she didn’t have time to stand there arguing with Lady Davina; she needed to find the duke fast. She knew typhoid was prevalent in the local village, and there’d been a couple of child deaths only last week.
The only other person who could help her now was William, and she dashed down to the kitchen to locate him. The kitchen was always busy, and Alice dashed straight over to the head cook in the hope that she might know where the house butler was.
“I’m already pushed for time, Miss Alice,” the cook complained to her, rushing around the kitchen to grab various pots and pans. “Having to pack up a last-minute picnic for Lord Phillip didn’t help either.”
“What do you mean?” Alice questioned as she followed the cook around the kitchen. “Do you know where Lord Phillip is?”
“Aye, I do. He’s gone off fishing, is what,” the cook replied, doing her best to ignore Alice as she continued to give out her orders to the kitchen maids. “Is that pan of salted water boiling yet?”
“Fishing, you say?” Alice mumbled to herself.
“Aye, that’s what I said, and I’ll no doubt have to cook it at the last minute, mark my words,” the cook tutted, walking off.
The panic in Alice’s mind increased tenfold. If the duke weren’t around, she’d need to take things into her own hands.
“I want you to inform William that I am riding to get the physician,” Alice said to the cook as she caught her up. “Can you at least do that for me when you next see the butler?”
“Aye, I can, but why are you going for the physician, might I be askin’?” The cook finally stopped in her tracks, looking on with curiosity.
“Lady Beatrice is with fever, and I must make haste,” Alice told her. “The child is quite ill; I am sure of it.”
“Off ye go then, Miss Alice,” the cook ordered. “We’ll find William and Clara too and let ’em know. Is Betsy with the children?”
Alice nodded and then thanked her for her aid before dashing off to the boot room to grab a servant’s overcoat. Making for the stables, she ordered a stable boy to saddle up a horse, but he was reluctant to do so without permission from the head groom. Alice would wait no longer and began saddling up the horse nearest to her, the mare she’d ridden only a short while ago.
The stable boy ran off, but Alice was not to be put off. She might not have saddled a horse in many years but recalled most of what was needed. Fastening the buckles and straps, she soon mounted the horse’s back, setting her legs astride so that she could ride at speed. As the horse and its mistress set off at a cantor, she passed by the head groom, who gestured his annoyance at her.
She’d deal with him later. For now, all she had in mind was getting to the physician. He would know if Lady Beatrice had typhoid or not, surely?
Passing through the forest, she arrived on the dirt track leading her to the hamlet where the physician lived. All she could think about was little Lady Beatrice.
She didn’t notice the trees that passed her by or the bull in the field she galloped through. She didn’t notice the dark clouds looming above her. Her eyes were focused only on leading the horse forward. She only wanted to get the physician to Lady Beatrice’s bedside as quickly as possible, all else forgotten.
What of Lord Jacob too? What if he gets it? He’s only a babe.Her thoughts swirled as the horse’s hooves galloped along the dirt track.
It seemed like forever before the physician’s house came into view. Thinking of nothing but getting his attention, she swung from the horse and ran to his door.
“Mr Lewis! Mr Lewis!” she yelled, hammering her fist on the wooden door. “Doctor, please answer; we need your help!”
The door opened, and she recognised the tired, old man standing before her.
“Thank the heavens I have found you, Doctor,” she sang out as she rushed at him, entering his home. “You must come to Haroth Hall straight away. Please, get your coat. We have to go now,” she ordered, taking his coat from the coat rack and attempting to put it on his shoulders.
“Calm down, girl, and tell me what is so urgent?” Mr Lewis asked, obliging by putting his arms into his overcoat. “I’ve been up most of the night with a sick child. What’s so urgent that I’m dragged from my much-needed sleep?”
“Oh, Lord! You say a child?” Alice questioned, hurrying the doctor along. “Typhoid. Did they have it?”
“No, as it happens, the child had fallen into a well and had terrible injuries. Now what are you trying to tell me?” he asked, confronting Alice. “Spit it out, will you!”
“Lady Beatrice at Haroth Hall. I am afraid it might be typhoid; we must get going sir,” Alice bellowed, all the while hurrying the man along. “You can take my horse; I am sure she is not yet done.”
“Nay, I’ll take my carriage if you please,” Mr Lewis replied, heading towards a dilapidated barn. “Come and help me strap the horse to the carriage, will you, young miss … erm, Miss Alice, is it not?”
“Yes, sir, but it will be quicker if you take my horse,” Alice tried to hurry him along. “I am sure she will manage it.”
