Royal Feud

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

When Hermione went inside the cottage Sadie was lying on a pallet in front of the fireplace, and Betsy was on the floor beside her daughter. Ogden, Sadie's father, sat at the table, staring helplessly at his wife and daughter, his face gaunt and drawn. Hermione dropped to her knees next to the other woman and looked down at Sadie. The girl's cheeks were flushed, and her breathing was shallow. "Betsy, there is something else we can try. Lord Ishton thinks we may be able to

bring down Sadie's fever using a water bath. Master Langston is fetching the water. Do

you have a tub we can use?" Betsy, her eyes dull and lifeless, looked at Hermione. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Sadie's father pushed back the bench he was sitting on. "Milady, we can use the feed trough. I'll go fetch it."

"Ogden, make sure you clean it out thoroughly."

"Aye, milady."

"Betsy, let us move Sadie away from the fire and take off her clothes," Hermione

instructed.

The women each took one end of the pallet and dragged it back to the opposite side of the room. Hermione had just stripped off Sadie's kirtle, leaving her clad in a thin chemise, when Langston entered the cottage with the first bucket of water. Delvin and Gordon followed, each with a load of water. A short time later Ogden returned with the trough and filled it with the water. After he was done, the women placed Sadie in the water, covering her small body up to her shoulders.

,

Dear God. Hermione recited silently, please heal Sadie and make her well. Please do not zake her from us. We love her so much,

She continued her litany of supplication as she worked over the little girl, using a cloth to trickle water over Sadie's head and trying to get her to drink some water. In the windowless hur she had no conception of how much time passed. Her consciousness narrowed and focused solely on fighting Sadie's fever and her urgent pleas to God.

Hermione touched Sadie's forehead with the back of her hand for what seemed the hundredth time during the long, unrelenting battle. This time, instead of the burning heat the child had been giving off, now Hermione felt only mild warmth. Holding her breath she pressed her cheek to Sadie's forehead. Hermione drew back and looked more closely at her patient, noting her even breathing and natural slumber. She closed her eyes and silently prayed. Thank You, Lord. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

She opened her eyes and turned toward Betsy. The girl's mother sat on the bench.

Her crossed arms lay flat against the top of the table, and her head rested on her arms. "Betsy! Sadie's fever has broken." The other woman raised her head. "Her fever's gone? Ye're sure, milady?"

"Aye. Come, let us get Sadie out of the water."

Hermione handed Sadie into Betsy's waiting arms. Betsy dried Sadie and pulled a clean chemise over her head. Together the women carried Sadie to a mattress in the corner of the room and laid her down gently.

Hermione touched Betsy's shoulder. "I will go let Ogden know Sadie is better."

Betsy grabbed Hermione's hand. "Thank ye, milady. Thank ye."

"I did nothing, Betsy. 'Tis God who healed Sadie."

Smiling, Hermione gave Betsy's hand a gentle squeeze. When she went outside, she found the four men surrounding a campfire they must have built on the cold ground. Sadie's father broke away from the other men and hurried toward her. She greeted

him with a joyous smile.. "Ogden, Sadie's fever has broken, and she is sleeping naturally now. Praise be to

God!"

"Truly?" Ogden whispered.

"Aye, Ogden. Sadie's now out of danger." "Praise be to God. Thank ye, milady."

Sadie's father rushed past Hermione and went into the cottage. She continued walking toward the fire, rubbing her hands up and down her arms to warm herself in the cold night air. The men had all turned to look at her. She could tell from their expressions that they had heard the good news she had given Ogden.

"God has answered our prayers," Hermione told them with a smile.

"Hallelujah!" Gordon said.

"God be praised." Langston smiled.

"Aye, Delvin agreed.

Delvin watched Hermione disappear back into the hut. She had remained outside only long enough to share the news of Sadie's recovery with them. He turned back to his men. "Sir Gordon, you and Langston will return to the castle

now. I will escort Lady Ishton home later." "Aye, milord." Gordon glanced at Langston.

"Milord, I would prefer to stay to help Lady Ishton in any way I can." Langston declared.

Delvin glared at the younger man. "If you wish to become a knight in my service, you will never question my orders again. Is that clear?"

"Aye, milord."

"Langston, return to the garrison and report to Sir Hugh."

"Aye, milord." Langston bowed and strode toward his horse, trailed by Gordon. Delvin watched the men mount their horses and ride away. He stared at the dying fire for long moments, mulling over what to do about Langston. Finally, he turned. went to the cottage, and knocked on the door.

Hermione answered. She held a babe in her arms, shielding the infant from the cold by pulling the blanket over its head. Would she ever hold his babe in her arms? The way things were going between them the prospect seemed more distant than ever. His resolution hardened.

Tis time to return to Ishton," Delvin stated.

"Nay, I cannot leave yet. I need to nurse Sadie back to health." She kept her tone low.

"Come outside so we can talk." Hermione stared mutely at him, then nodded. She closed the door in his face. Delvin's

jaw flexed, and he turned his back to the door, walking several paces away.

A few minutes later, when Hermione left the cottage alone and came to stand beside

him, he turned to look at her. She had put on her mantle and stood with her arms crossed in front of her. Tis not the job of Lady Ishton to nurse villein children. Her mother and the

villagers can do so. "Nay." Hermione raised her chin. "They do not have any medical knowledge. They will not know what to do."

They faced each other. Delvin stared at Hermione, exasperated with her stubbornness, while Hermione calmly returned his look. The arrival of two riders broke the stalemate between them. Lady Lucy and Wyham rode into the yard. Delvin went to grasp the bridle of his

mother's horse and held the animal as Wyham helped her dismount.

Lucy hurried toward Hermione. "Hermione, my dear. How is little Sadie?" Lucy

held Hermione's extended hands and kissed her cheek.

"Her fever has broken, and she is sleeping now," Hermione said with a smile.

"Oh, that is wonderful news. I am so relieved." She turned toward Delvin as he and Wyham approached the women. "Delvin, I am here to take over now. You and Hermione must be exhausted, having been up all night."

"Aye, Mother," Delvin agreed. "I was just trying to convince Hermione to go back to

the castle when you arrived."

"Hermione, you must go and rest now," Lucy insisted. "I have brought some more herbs and tinctures. I will instruct Betsy when and how to use them. We will get Gladys to come in as well. She is an excellent nurse." is being well cared