When she finished her words with a wink, it nearly undid him, sending an unfamiliar excitement down his outstretched hand.
Ann Fowles had won his heart utterly and completely, and he’d enjoy her presence for this one dance at least.
Ann had known William Boyd was strong. After all, she’d seen his bare arm when it was bandaged. But him holding her in dance position was an entirely new confirmation of his strength. Still, she would not tell him so.
“Are you sure, as an American, you know how to dance to these country dances?” She was careful to touch his sleeve only above his wound.
He laughed at her and spun her around. “Do I seem like I am struggling, Miss Fowles?”
She shook her head, though she did think he looked a little paler than usual. “In truth, you have exceeded expectations.”
In many areas.
She didn’t say that part out loud.
He’d been so dismissive on Sunday, it had disheartened her for days. She wanted desperately to know his thoughts on God and if he’d thought about the Book of Mormon since. But spinning around a circle with music sounding in their ears wasn’t the best venue for a serious conversation. Surely they’d find another time soon to venture into the topic.
He dropped his voice so only she could hear. “Thank you for saying yes, Ann.”
“You’re welcome,” she said. She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling his closeness, the strength of their arms together, the joy that came from dancing. It really was a glorious way to spend one’s time, especially in the presence of someone dear.
Never had a dance felt like this.
He spun her once again, and they were perfectly in sync with the other dancers. Forward and back, over and under, they wove about. Ann’s heart raced for more than one reason.
“It’s rather warm tonight, isn’t it?” Will said toward the end.
Ann tipped her head to the side. “Until we started dancing, I was quite cool.”
The music ended, and Ann attempted to catch her breath. Will did so too, and Ann studied his flushed face, quite in contrast to his earlier pallor. “Are you all right?” she asked. Now they had stopped twirling, she noticed she could almost feel the heat radiating from him, which was strange because it hadn’t been that rigorous of a dance.
“Oh, yes, of course. Dancing with you was just the sort of exercise I needed. Perhaps I’ll ask someone else for just one more.”
The fiddler began his introduction, and she watched as Will took a step in Elizabeth’s direction. A perfect choice, for she knew he hadn’t been introduced to most of the young ladies on the ship, but he did know Miss Cherry. Before he made it two more steps, he swayed to the side and nearly lost his footing.
Suddenly, his face went ashen white.
Ann hurried to his side. “Will,” she said quietly, holding onto his arm. “You are not well.”
His eyes clamped shut for a moment, and when he opened them again it seemed he couldn’t focus. Still ahold of him, she pulled him to the side of the dancers and placed one hand on his brow. “You are burning up.”
He brought a hand to his stomach and doubled over. “It’s so sudden. Every part of me aches—”
“Let’s get you to your cabin.”
She pulled his arm around her shoulder and walked him toward the deck-level cabins, grateful she knew where his was. She could feel the heat of his body radiating from him like a boiler.
“I will let the doctor know of your poor disposition and ask for his advice.” In her mind she collected the quick onset of symptoms. She didn’t want to tell him what she suspected. But the sudden fever and abdominal pains usually meant the worst.
They made it to the cabin, and she helped him lie down in his hammock. “I’ll bring you water right away.”
As soon as he was settled, she shut the door and hurried to the doctor.
She counted how long it’d been since his visit to the sick bay. Nearly two weeks, and the symptoms and the timing lined up too perfectly.
More than likely, he had contracted smallpox.
Chapter 26
