Tilly reached for his hands and placed the small parcel in them. ‘Because she once refused to eat,’ she said, holding his hand a breath longer than was necessary.
‘Why?’
‘Because it’s no better than pig swill,’ said Tilly, oblivious to his pain. She returned to her work, laying a new tray with crockery and fetching a kettle from the range. ‘Cook gets very upset. She says it’s not natural to eat so much fat and dairy.’ Tilly poured hot water onto the tea leaves in the pot and leaned back to avoid the cloud of steam that rose up between them. The sweet, woody aroma of tea filled the room. ‘Milk, milk puddings, bread and more milk. Mutton chops if Miss Evelyn is lucky, then more milk. I feel sorry for her.’
Drake’s stomach churned at the thought of such a restricted diet. ‘And if she refuses, how do they force her to eat it?’
Tilly returned the kettle to the range and paused for a moment as she remembered. ‘It has only happened once. Doctor Birch put a tube down Miss Evelyn’s nose and poured the milk into her.’ Drake was horrified. He must have looked it, for Tilly added, ‘I know it sounds awful. It was awful. We were all upset by it . . . even Mrs Beecham went to her office for a cry and she never cries. Miss Evelyn hasn’t refused again.’
Drake had a sudden need for escape and fresh air, but he could not leave. Evie was somewhere in the house living a new kind of hell, while he stood in her kitchen, holding a slice of freshly baked fruit cake which probably, under normal circumstances, would be intended for her.
‘Why are they doing this to her?’ Nicholas came to mind and a new fear gripped him. ‘Is she ill? Is she dying?’
Tilly shook her head. ‘No, she’s not dying. As to whether she is ill, that depends on who you ask.’
‘I’m asking you.’
Tilly blinked at his directness. She did not answer immediately, preferring to move the plates and saucers on the tray so they lined up neatly.
‘No, I don’t think she is ill. Miss Evelyn was in the drawing room with her parents, when she began to break everything in sight. Sir Robert had to call for the servants to control her and carry her to her room. She destroyed most of the china, glass and books in the room. She left a terrible mess.’ Such behaviour didn’t sound like something Evie would do, thought Drake. ‘Cook thinks Miss Evelyn had a hissy fit and says, “Nothing that a slice of fruit cake and a kindly ear could not have sorted out.”’
‘Do you agree with her?’
‘I’ve seen plenty of hissy fits. My sister has them all the time. I’ve been known to have one or two in my time. Pa or Ma would give me a cuff around the ear and that would be the end of it.’
‘What did Miss Evelyn’s parents do?’
‘Sent for Doctor Birch who said she was as good as mad. She has been confined to her room ever since.’
No wonder he had not seen her. All these weeks he had thought she had forgotten him. How wrong he had been. Drake leaned against the table in what he hoped appeared a nonchalant manner, but in truth it was for much needed support. Tilly rattled on beside him. What was she saying? Drake tried hard to concentrate.
‘Doctor Birch wants her to rest her mind and body. She has to remain in bed and do nothing for herself. It would turn my mind if I was not allowed to move. Mrs Beecham says it’s enough to send any sane person mad.’
‘How is she now?’
‘Miserable. She is finding it very hard. Sometimes she refuses to lie still and often begs for something to do, but when she fights against Doctor Birch’s treatment, it does no good. It only prolongs it. You should eat your cake. You look quite pale.’
Drake shook his head. ‘I have no appetite for it now.’
Concerned, Tilly laid her hand on his arm. ‘You look upset, Drake. Have you met Miss Evelyn?’
Drake had not had another girl touch him since Evie. Tilly was not as pretty, her features were too sharp and her hair too fine to attract him, however her harmless touch still stirred his youthful body and he felt as if he was betraying Evie. He slid his hand over hers and gently removed it from his arm.
‘I’ve seen her about, no more,’ he replied.
‘You feel things deeply, don’t you?’
Drake pushed himself away from the table. He did not deserve her kind words. His body had reacted to another girl’s touch, whilst Evie was suffering. He was shallower than she thought he was.
‘The boys I know think only about themselves,’ continued Tilly. ‘Some don’t grow out of it. Mr Burrows was like that. He was her tutor. He thought a lot of himself. Everyone disliked him. But he is gone now. He resigned as he found it impossible to teach Miss Evelyn. I don’t think he was very nice to her. At least that is what I have heard from some of the staff.’
Had he made things worse by forcing Burrows to leave?
‘I’d better go,’ said Drake. ‘It is too hot in here. I need to get some fresh air.’ He paused in the doorway. He could still feel the whisper of her touch on his sleeve and he hated himself for still being aware of it. ‘Tilly, will you do something for me?’ he asked.
‘What Drake?’
‘Will you tell Miss Evelyn that the outdoor staff wish her well.’
