“Did Grandmama mind you leaving so suddenly?”
“No. She understood my overwhelming need to be with you.”
Ivy nodded. “Colly loved Siddington Castle.” She couldn’t help a smile. “Sometimes the little boy inside him crept out. I swear if he’d had a sword and a shield we’d have found him running around the ramparts looking to repel invaders.”
“There’s a little boy lurking in most men, I’ve discovered,” answered Elvina wryly. “Fortunately, yours is housed within a fine specimen.”
“I know,” sighed Ivy. “Ouch…” The carriage bumped and shook as the road became less well travelled and plagued by ruts.
“A good sign,” said her friend. “I think we’re near Tesham…”
The first fingers of dawn were creeping above the horizon as they finally drew to a halt in the small courtyard of the Pig and Peacock.
A sleepy stable lad helped with the horses, and Ivy and Elvina scrambled down by themselves, grabbing their bags and hurrying to the door of the inn.
It was opened by a maid, eyes wide in surprise at the sight of two elegant ladies lugging their own belongings.
“We’re here for Mr Hartsmere.” Ivy remembered to use the right name. “I’m his wife, and this is my companion, Mrs Ashrayn.”
“Very good, mum,” the girl dropped a sort of curtsey. “‘E’s upstairs in t’best room. ‘E’s quality, ain’t ‘e? Yer can tell…even sick, ‘e’s bin ever so polite.”
Ivy was torn between relief that Colly was obviously still alive, and amusement at the thought that while sick he managed to retain his manners. She shouldn’t have been surprised.
“What’s your name?” Elvina glanced at the girl.
“I’m Jane, mum. Me ma an’ me live in and do fer Mr Macclesworth, ‘im what owns t’place.” She stopped at the top of the stairs. “To yer right, mum. That’s where ‘e is. I’ll get yer some tea? Ain’t got breakfast up an’ runnin’ yet…”
“Tea would be wonderful, Jane. Thank you.” Ivy nodded, then took a breath and turned the handle of the door into her husband’s room. Elvina was behind her, and she vaguely heard Jane trotting down the stairs and yelling for her mother.
The chamber was of a good size, and the bed on the far wall certainly large enough to accommodate the Duke. Putting down her bags and walking to the window, Elvina pulled the drapes aside, letting the first rays of the day into the gloom.
Ivy sucked in a breath.
Colly was there, half under the covers, still as could be.
She dashed to his side, anxiously taking his hand, relieved to find it warm.
Too warm.
“Elvina,” she said quietly, as she placed her hand on his forehead. “He’s burning up.”
At the sound of her voice, Colly stirred. “Ivy,” he muttered. “Ivy. Want Ivy.”
“I’m here, Colly.” She eased onto the bed. “I’m here now. So is Elvina. All will be well, Colly. I promise.”
“Ivy.”
“Yes, love.” She couldn’t help the words slipping from her tongue. He looked wan in the dim light, but the flush of fever on his cheeks told a tale of its own. “Can you tell me how you feel?”
“Want Ivy…” he whispered, then tossed his head. “So hot.”
She rested her cool palm on his forehead, noting the way he seemed to ease at her touch.
Elvina was already mixing herbs into a glass of water she’d poured from the ewer. “Everything seems clean and well cared for,” she commented, crossing the room to Ivy’s side. “He was very lucky to end up here…”
“What’s that?” Ivy held his hand still, but glanced at the mixture.
“Mostly willow bark and meadowsweet,” she said, “and a dash of feverfew. We need to break his fever as soon as we can. Then we’ll go on from there…”
Ivy took the glass as Elvina slid an arm beneath Colly’s shoulders and spoke softly to him. “Come on now, your Grace. You must drink up.”
“Here you are, Colly. Drink as much as you can.” She held the glass to his lips as Elvina lifted him. “We’re going to get you well, my husband. So take a drink…”
His mouth moved and some of the liquid touched his lips. As if dying of thirst he drank, eagerly swallowing down the liquid.
“That’s good,” Ivy whispered. “Very good. Now sleep for a little and when you wake up, we’ll be here to make you healthy again.”
“Ivy,” he murmured. “Want my wife.”
“I’m here,” she reassured him once again, taking his hand as he lay back on the pillows. He gripped her fingers tightly.
“I have you, Ivy. Never lose you.” His words slurred as sleep crept upon him.
Tears stung the backs of her eyes. “No, husband. You will never lose me. I’m yours forever.”
He was still burning hot as he fell asleep, but Elvina nodded contentedly. “It’s the best thing for him at the moment,” she said quietly.
Ivy felt his fingers release her hand as he fell deeper into his sleep. She released him with a tiny sigh, then stood, straightening the covers around him.
“If you can spare me for a few minutes, I’d like to talk to Jane and find out a little more about Colly’s stay here,” she whispered. “We need to fill in some of the details. It may help us find out what happened.”
“An excellent idea. I will unpack and prepare some more herbs, in case they’re needed.”
Ivy nodded, then stepped to the door. “I shouldn’t be long.”
There were sounds within the inn as people awoke and the day’s activities began. As Ivy walked down the stairs, she saw several guests with bags getting ready to depart, and noticed that a small desk near the front door now had a woman standing behind it.
She went to her. “Good morning. I’m Mrs Hartsmere, and my companion and I are seeing to Mr Hartsmere.” She sighed. “Thank
