No, Rebecca. You, I vow I shall not lose.
During the middle of the night, Rebecca took a turn for the worse. The fever Liam feared came upon her, the chill having set into her lungs despite his best efforts.
He was awoken by the sound of chattering teeth and whimpers as she tossed and turned, winding the blankets around herself. Immediately Liam set about trying to break the fever, alternating between soothing her with cloths soaked in cool water and vinegar, and chafing her legs—at which point he discovered some very peculiar inking on her skin, which he determined he would ask about when she was herself again.
For she shall be. I swear it.
Not until mid-morning did the fever break. Rebecca finally fell back into a restful, or at least not fitful, slumber, and Liam did the same, half lying on the bed, half in his chair, the cloths still clutched in his hand.
Thomas woke him some hours later, insisting that if he would not sleep in his own chambers, he might at least refresh himself and have a proper meal.
Lizzie took over watching Rebecca whilst Liam relented and did just that.
And so it was for the next four days.
Outside, the storm raged on. Inside, Liam kept to Rebecca’s bedside, leaving only to refresh himself. The staff took turns watching over her when he did, and Mrs Murray brought him trays of food along with broth and tea for Rebecca. No one said a single word about his presence by her side, nor his devotion to her care. They all understood that the master would not be swayed from his task—and, indeed, they all felt keenly for the new housekeeper they had once seemed so intent to despise.
Christmas came and went, uncelebrated and nearly forgotten but for private prayers, which all seemed to feature one Mrs Hardwicke.
Rebecca had only very few moments of consciousness, and none of lucidity. Though the first fever had broken, the infection in her chest worsened, and other bouts of fever came and went. Her body shut down, fighting the sickness, and perhaps it was best, for if not, she might have fought Liam’s devoted nursing.
Not that fighting him would have helped. Liam cared for her with everything he had. Something deep inside drove him on, and he was relentless in his tending. He had sworn he would not lose her, therefore he would not. And so he soothed her, fed her, gave her water, even brushed and braided her hair after the women bathed her.
By the time the doctor could be sent for, and arrived on the fifth day, there was nothing left for him to do.
‘What do you mean, there is nothing to be done?’ Liam exclaimed, half-delirious with the lack of sleep and worry. ‘By God, man—’
‘My lord,’ the doctor said in his most soothing tone. ‘There is nothing more for me to do as Mrs Hardwicke is well on her way to recovering. She is awake now, and there is good colour in her cheeks. I think a few more days in bed, and she shall be as right as rain.’
‘Oh,’ Liam said dazedly, swaying slightly as exhaustion, physical and mental, crashed upon him suddenly. A thousand emotions and thoughts were running through him, making him dizzy. But he could neither voice, nor understand any of them.
Thank God.
‘Thank you, Dr Sims.’
‘Of course, my lord. Now, I suggest you get some rest yourself.’
‘Yes, I think you’re right.’ Liam nodded. ‘Thomas shall see to your fee.’
They shook hands, and the doctor disappeared upstairs.
Liam sighed, and leaned back against the wall.
Rebecca will be fine. She is safe now.
She was awake. He wanted to go to her, to see for himself, perhaps even see her smile, herself again.
You really are tired...
A woman in his life had been in danger. And he’d wanted with his entire being to save her, where he had failed to save others. But admitting there was anything else to that need would only bring trouble. He had to resume his position as master, before it was too late. It seemed callous. And it hurt him—physically pained him—to leave the servants’ quarters then, and return to his own. Filled him with regret to pass on Rebecca’s care to Thomas and Lizzie, to leave her in the hands of others.
Nonetheless, he did just that.
For he knew that if he did not, he would soon be the one in danger.
Chapter Thirteen
Liam’s resolution to keep away from Rebecca’s bedside lasted the rest of that day. The following morning, after pacing his study for an hour, staring aimlessly at his work for another, and wandering the house for two, he finally relented, grabbed a selection of books from the library and made his way downstairs.
