Chapter Five
About an hour later, after the maid had returned from the apothecary with the willow bark, the cook made a large pot of tea from it. Diana returned to her father’s room with a cup of the bitter liquid on a tray, along with a small pot of honey to make it more palatable. She found her father staring out the window.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re awake,” she said cheerfully as she came into the room.
He turned and smiled at her. “Is that…my tea?”
“Yes. And I’ve brought some honey for you as well. How much sweetening do you think you’ll want?”
“A lot!” he said, giving her a wink. He did have a sweet tooth!
She dolloped in a good amount, gave it a stir, and then helped him to sit up a little.
He grimaced as he swallowed the first sip and then handed the cup back to her.
“More hon
