“I am told she does.”
“Don’t you know?”
His response had sounded disloyal. He corrected it. “I believe she does.”
“I’m thinking, what with you here, I should get my horse saddled and ride to Kenton. It is only five miles away and there is a surgeon there. I’ll pay him whatever it takes to come back with me.”
“I would ask Miss MacCallum if she thinks that is necessary. If she does, we will stay here with your wife and son until you return.”
Mr. Bowman took a few steps toward the stairs, then stopped. He looked back over his shoulder sheepishly. “She doesn’t seem to be a woman one would like to cross. She may be insulted if I suggest I should get a surgeon.”
“I will ask her if you want.”
He stood aside.
Miss MacCallum opened it on his knock. Through the crack, he could see a woman lying on a bed half naked.
“He wants to take advantage of our presence to ride for a surgeon.”
“Good heavens no. A surgeon is sure to bleed her, and nothing good will come of that. In her state, it might kill her.”
“Is it as bad as that?”
“She has had a fever for some time. Days. I can tell from her eyes and her skin that she is sorely lacking water, and that has made it worse. I am spooning it in her, and washing her down to cool her. Bleeding is the last thing she needs. Tell him no surgeons.”
“What about a physician?”
“You heard Mr. Portman. There are none for many miles around.”
“I will send the carriage to Newcastle and tell Napier to come back with one.”
She hesitated. “He won’t know where to go.”
“He’ll find one. I’ll make sure it is worth the man’s while to come.”
She looked back into the room. “Yes, please do. I think . . .” Her voice broke, and she blinked at tears forming. “I think it may be too late, but I’ll keep at what I am doing and hope that a physician can do more.”
His gut twisted at her sadness. He wanted to comfort her. He turned away, to do the only thing that might help her.
* * *
Davina sat beside the bed and wrung out another cloth. She used it to wipe down Louisa’s arms and chest. The skin felt hot beneath her touch.
She set the rag back in the pail, took the cup of water and sat beside her friend. She lifted her up with one arm and used the other to hold the cup to her lips. “You must drink, even if it is just a sip. Yes, like that. A little more now.”
Louisa obeyed until about two ounces went in, then sank back onto the pillow. She blinked and looked at Davina, then frowned. “I know you.”
They were the first words Louisa had said. Davina had not been sure there had even been an awareness of her presence before. “It is I, Davina. We were friends as girls. I was traveling by and decided to call on you.”
“My son—”
“He is below with your husband, and quite healthy.” She laid her palm against Louisa’s cheek. Still hot. Too hot. Dangerously so. “It was wise to separate him from yourself, but I fear that you did not eat or drink enough while alone.”
“I mostly slept, I think.” She looked ready to do so again. Davina took the opportunity to get more water into her, then put down the cup.
“You are well, Davina? Happy in Edinburgh?”
“Very happy. Do not try to speak. I do not need a social visit today. Another time we will sit in the garden and tell each other about the years that have passed.”
