sleep like a sheepdog shakes off the wet, and allowed Midge to lead him from his bedchamber. Not surprisingly, Dash and Pinch were hovering beside her bed.
Its the fever, Pinch said. He held up a candle so Sherry could see for himself that her condition had worsened. Shes shakin wi it, sir.
So were the bed curtains. Sherry cautioned Pinch to hold the candle steady and have a care not to drip wax on her. He pulled back the covers and laid his hand lightly over the bandaged wound. He could feel the heat of the fever through her nightshirt. Calculating how long it would take to rouse Harris and bring him to the house, Sherry realized they had no time for indecision. His tone was brisk, decisive, and brooked no argument.
Midge, do you know where the footmen sleep?
Aye, mlord.
Good. Wake Dunnet and say I have need of him. If he tries to clobber you, have at him the way you did me. He turned to Dash as Midge ran off. Do you remember the location of the library? Dash assured him that he did. Bring a decanter of spirits here. To Pinch he said, There should be a basin and pitcher of water in the dressing room. He did not have to say any more.
Sherry turned back to his patient. He raised her gown the least amount that was necessary to permit him to reveal the bandage. Slipping two fingers under the strip of cloth, he began to gingerly peel it back. Harris had applied a poultice to the wound during his afternoon visit. He informed Sherry that its purpose was to draw the poison and keep out the foul air. Sherrys observation was that its effect was exactly the opposite. He removed the poultice and smelled the malodorous vapors escaping.
Pinch wrinkled his nose as he presented the water-filled basin and cloths to Sheridan. He accepted the poultice in exchange and dropped it into the chamber pot in the dressing room. When he returned to the bedside, Sheridan was wiping seepage from the wound. Its bad, isnt it? We should
ave left er where she was. Leastways it was wot she was used to. That counts for something.
Sherry was not sure that Pinch wasnt right. To distract them both, he asked, How long have you known her?
Pinch shrugged. Most o me life it seems. Ard for me to remember a time when she wasnt at the Blue Ruin.
I see.
If yell pardon me for speaking plainly, Pinch said, then went on without any allowance from Sherry that he should do so, its been my experience that most people dont see at all when they say that.
And you have a great deal of experience.
More than yer lordship, Id wager.
It would be an interesting wager, Sherry decided. How did you become her pupil?
Oh, theres nuthin ard to understand abou it. She coaxes us in with sweet words and a proper warm meal, and then she gets us to do things for er. Cant refuse, really. She as a sweet voice, though dont expect ye know that about er, and she just gives ye the urge to want to please er. Even Bluell do things for er, and most folks in Holborn think es a proper villain. E give er a room of er own to use.
Sherry saw the blood around her wound was flowing clear again. He staunched it with a clean cloth. Then she lives there.
No. E give er a room to use, not to live in. Didnt ye ear me say es a proper villain? Lets out is rooms, but e gives er one when theres one gone beggin.
I see, Sherry said quite deliberately.
Pinch frowned, uncertain how to take Sheridans comment. He thought he saw one corner of his lordships severe mouth lift ever so slightly, but he couldnt be sure. He was saved from making any reply with the arrival of Dash.
Sherry saw the decanter and realized Dash had managed to seize his only bottle of French brandy. Wouldnt Blue Rutland love to see him weep over it. Bring it here, lad. Youve good taste in drink.
Smelled them all, Dash said proudly. This is what Blue gave Dr. Arris.
Sherry almost groaned aloud. So it wasnt happenstance at all; the urchin had a nose for the bouquet. Serves me right for having the stuff, Sherry said under his breath. He
Its the fever, Pinch said. He held up a candle so Sherry could see for himself that her condition had worsened. Shes shakin wi it, sir.
So were the bed curtains. Sherry cautioned Pinch to hold the candle steady and have a care not to drip wax on her. He pulled back the covers and laid his hand lightly over the bandaged wound. He could feel the heat of the fever through her nightshirt. Calculating how long it would take to rouse Harris and bring him to the house, Sherry realized they had no time for indecision. His tone was brisk, decisive, and brooked no argument.
Midge, do you know where the footmen sleep?
Aye, mlord.
Good. Wake Dunnet and say I have need of him. If he tries to clobber you, have at him the way you did me. He turned to Dash as Midge ran off. Do you remember the location of the library? Dash assured him that he did. Bring a decanter of spirits here. To Pinch he said, There should be a basin and pitcher of water in the dressing room. He did not have to say any more.
Sherry turned back to his patient. He raised her gown the least amount that was necessary to permit him to reveal the bandage. Slipping two fingers under the strip of cloth, he began to gingerly peel it back. Harris had applied a poultice to the wound during his afternoon visit. He informed Sherry that its purpose was to draw the poison and keep out the foul air. Sherrys observation was that its effect was exactly the opposite. He removed the poultice and smelled the malodorous vapors escaping.
Pinch wrinkled his nose as he presented the water-filled basin and cloths to Sheridan. He accepted the poultice in exchange and dropped it into the chamber pot in the dressing room. When he returned to the bedside, Sheridan was wiping seepage from the wound. Its bad, isnt it? We should
ave left er where she was. Leastways it was wot she was used to. That counts for something.
Sherry was not sure that Pinch wasnt right. To distract them both, he asked, How long have you known her?
Pinch shrugged. Most o me life it seems. Ard for me to remember a time when she wasnt at the Blue Ruin.
I see.
If yell pardon me for speaking plainly, Pinch said, then went on without any allowance from Sherry that he should do so, its been my experience that most people dont see at all when they say that.
And you have a great deal of experience.
More than yer lordship, Id wager.
It would be an interesting wager, Sherry decided. How did you become her pupil?
Oh, theres nuthin ard to understand abou it. She coaxes us in with sweet words and a proper warm meal, and then she gets us to do things for er. Cant refuse, really. She as a sweet voice, though dont expect ye know that about er, and she just gives ye the urge to want to please er. Even Bluell do things for er, and most folks in Holborn think es a proper villain. E give er a room of er own to use.
Sherry saw the blood around her wound was flowing clear again. He staunched it with a clean cloth. Then she lives there.
No. E give er a room to use, not to live in. Didnt ye ear me say es a proper villain? Lets out is rooms, but e gives er one when theres one gone beggin.
I see, Sherry said quite deliberately.
Pinch frowned, uncertain how to take Sheridans comment. He thought he saw one corner of his lordships severe mouth lift ever so slightly, but he couldnt be sure. He was saved from making any reply with the arrival of Dash.
Sherry saw the decanter and realized Dash had managed to seize his only bottle of French brandy. Wouldnt Blue Rutland love to see him weep over it. Bring it here, lad. Youve good taste in drink.
Smelled them all, Dash said proudly. This is what Blue gave Dr. Arris.
Sherry almost groaned aloud. So it wasnt happenstance at all; the urchin had a nose for the bouquet. Serves me right for having the stuff, Sherry said under his breath. He
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