Others came to help them unload the supplies from Oaks Knoll and ready the church. A few that had had the disease, others who knew that help was needed and would take the risk of what was to come. As they worked, people were brought in sick and feverish, and soon they were busy making people comfortable.
“I need a fire,” Essie said. “I must make a tincture that will help, containing astragalus. Only a small amount is needed. Honey too. We need that for soothing the throat. And James will let us have all the oranges he has up there.”
“I will do what you need me to, Essie,” Dorrie said, looking at the sick. She could smell the disease.
“Some will die.” Essie wrapped an arm around Dorrie’s waist briefly.
“I know. But we must do what we can to stop that.”
May God have mercy on their souls.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Ash had woken hard with need for Dorset Sinclair. That had been enough to have him packing his things. Today they would leave, and he would do what must be done. After that he would think about his next move—if Radcliff did not finish him off.
Baron was not in his room when he went in search of him.
“Have you seen the man who arrived at Raven Castle with me?” Ash asked a maid.
“No, sir.”
Where the hell had he gone now? He couldn’t be far. Carrying his belongings down, he put them near the door, then went to find his friend. Perhaps he was outside in the gardens? Making his way back out, he stepped into the courtyard.
He saw James, Dev, and Max speaking to two men. They were clearly brothers. Both wore grave expressions. James patted their shoulders and then turned to face Ash. He and Max looked grim.
“What has happened?” Ash asked.
“Come.” James ran by him. “I will tell you when I reach the others.”
Ash followed. They kept walking until they’d arrived at another door. Throwing it open, they all entered. A few of the men were in there playing billiards.
“What?” Harry Sinclair lowered his cue when he saw their faces.
“There is scarlet fever in the village,” Max said. “Dorrie and Essie are there.”
“They must leave at once,” Harry said.
“Neither will contract it,” Dev said. “But we need to get supplies down there as soon as we can so they can get things ready for when more fall ill.”
“Christ, they’ll be terrified,” Cambridge said. “I’ll go now.”
“You can’t go, as you have not had it,” Dev snapped. “Think, brother. We cannot help them if we too fall ill. They cannot watch over us and an entire village.”
“How do you know they won’t contract it?” Ash asked. The thought of Dorset Sinclair writhing in fevered agony was not a pleasing vision. In fact, it made him feel ill.
“Dorrie has had it. Essie did not contract it when she nursed her,” Dev said. “I was away fighting. Father and Mother took everyone but Dorrie and Essie away to the seaside. Dorrie was unwell with a sore chest, and Essie had a patient in the village she wanted to stay and care for. While our family were away, scarlet fever swept through the village. Josiah and Bertie, our staff, did not contract it, as Essie and Dorrie moved into the village.”
“They should still be removed,” Ash added. “There is no research to state they cannot get it again.”
“My family do not catch things twice,” Dev said with far too much arrogant assurance as far as Ash was concerned. To blithely dismiss the possibility that his sister could get scarlet fever again was inexcusable.
“That is a ridiculous statement.”
“That will do, Ash. Trust Dev to know his sisters,” James said.
“They will not leave now, Ash,” Devon said with more calm than Ash was feeling. He knew exactly how scarlet fever attacked the body. “Essie is a healer, and Dorrie will help her. Even if I wish it, which I assure you I do, they will not leave, and I cannot make them. Any of us who enter that village will simply be at risk of contracting scarlet fever and passing it on to those inside the walls of the castle.” Devonshire Sinclair looked grim. “We may be able to heal ourselves, but I will not have Lilly do that for multiple people.”
“Pardon?”
