Two days after the death of her friend and the conversation with Ash the disease was running its course in the village of Crunston Cliff. Death had taken its toll, and sadness cloaked the village in its heavy, cloying blanket. But with what Baron and Essie had implemented, the disease would stop before it killed more.
The locals had muttered about the restrictions, but Baron, Ash, and a few of the other locals had ensured the strict measures were enforced.
Dorrie was now at Oak’s Knoll, where Essie had sent her to rest. She had been sitting with little Mellie Long since she’d fallen ill. The child was feverish and had clung to Dorrie. Essie had promised to sit with her. She hadn’t wanted to go, but her sister had insisted. She’d also said that Dorrie smelled horrid. Sniffing herself, she’d agreed.
“And I will not think about him,” she muttered, staggering to Dev’s old room with two cans of warm water. She was going to have a bath. She’d heated the water, and these were the last two cans she needed. She wanted to wash away the death and disease and feel truly clean for the first time in days.
Avoiding Ash had not been easy since their talk, but she’d done her best. The man had no wish to live and she wasn’t sure how to cope with that. She tried to deny what was growing inside her but could not. Dorrie was quite sure now that she loved Ashford Charlton. She was also very aware that love would never be returned.
Entering the room, she poured the water into the tub that had been placed before the fire.
Could it be possible that there was another Raven out there somewhere for her? She doubted it very much considering what had passed between her and Ash.
A bark outside the door had her opening it. There sat Hep.
“Hello, darling. Come in.”
The little dog was an absolute hero to the town of Crunston Cliff. He had given comfort to so many sick and dying people. He was everywhere he was needed. He sat on the laps of those who were workers in the town when they took a break and gave them comfort.
“You are a good little boy.” She bent to pat his head, and Hep made that snuffling noise that the family had come to know meant he was happy.
Mrs. Radcliff had given her a bowl of soup; she placed the last of it on the floor for the dog.
Stripping off her clothes, Dorrie sat in the bath. Using the washcloth and soap she scrubbed herself clean. After washing her hair, she climbed out and dried before the fire she’d lit. Pulling on a clean chemise, she wrapped the blanket around her and sat before the flames.
It felt wonderful. Her body ached, her heart felt heavy, and Essie had been right. She needed these few moments to rebuild her strength.
The knock on the door had Hep barking.
“Who is it?”
“Ash.”
It was not unusual for him to be here. He slept here occasionally and often came to grab things for Essie or Baron.
“Is anything wrong?” she said through the door.
“I need some things from the surgery for Essex, but I wanted to let you know I was here.”
“All right.”
“And, Dorset?”
Wrapping the blanket tight around her, she opened the door. He stood there in a shirt, no jacket, no necktie. Breeches and black boots smeared with dirt.
“Yes?”
His eyes ran over her, taking in her wet hair and bare feet. “Mellie Long’s fever has gone.”
“It has? That’s wonderful news. Thank you so much for telling me. I thought she wouldn’t survive.” Dorrie didn’t think she could see another child buried from the fever.
He nodded. “Essie said you needed to know. Said you were upset about her condition.” His eyes drifted down her body again, and she felt everywhere they landed.
“There is water in the bath should you wish to use it,” Dorrie said. “I will just dress and leave.”
“I will go; you rest. I just came to tell you and get something for your sister.”
“You need to rest also.”
