Free Shadow of the Past by Judith Cutler Page A

Susan’s anxious face. She was carrying a kettle of hot water she was clearly reluctant to surrender to me.
    ‘He would not want you to take any infection,’ I said gently as I took it. Privately, I suspected that Jem was a man who would prefer not, as he would put it, to be fussed over. Besides, it was hardly proper for a handsome young man in his nightshirt to be closeted with a young maid who once fancied herself in love with him – even though his having his feet in a bowl of mustard and hot water might prove a deterrent to passion.
    ‘But you are the parson, and must keep well for all the villagers.’
    ‘I must indeed. Now, Susan, I cannot think that Jem will want to eat much today, but I know that for a fever Dr Hansard swears by lemon and barley water. Would you be kind enough to prepare some? And I will ensure that he drinks every last drop.’
    It took every ounce of my persuasive power to convince Jem that he must not only remain indoors, but should take to hisbed. Undoubtedly he was feverish; the pain in his throat, he admitted, was spreading down to his chest. He conceded that Susan’s potion might well be of assistance, and watched in grudging silence as I set and lit a brisk fire.
    ‘Do not deny you have the head-ache,’ I said, standing back to admire my handiwork. ‘I am persuaded that it would do you a great deal of good to lie down, and permit me to bathe your temples with vinegar or some of Mrs Hansard’s excellent lavender water.’
    ‘You are joking me,’ he growled.
    ‘I am indeed.’ I waved my coal-blackened hands at him. ‘But I have the most selfish reasons for wishing for your speedy return to health, Jem. Clearly Miss Southey must be found, and although Dr Hansard may invoke the force of the law, I would not be surprised if you and I were involved somehow.’
    He grinned. ‘Then I’d best endure all the hot plasters and poultices Dr Hansard can wish on me.’
    When I looked in on him a few minutes later, he was in an uneasy sleep, and fought off the coverlet I tried to pull over him.
    Anxious not to alarm Susan, but concerned for my friend’s health, I wrote a note to Dr Hansard, explaining that I would be unable to join him and his wife at one, as we had arranged, and begging that he would send George down with whatever medicine he judged helpful in such a case. I sent the gardener’s lad off, with a sixpence for his pains, telling him to run all the way.
    I was so confident of Edmund’s response that I suggested to Mrs Trent that she might need to lay extra covers for luncheon, and I was not disappointed. Within the hour,Edmund’s gig bowled up, Mrs Hansard clutching a basket on her knees as Edmund himself handled the ribbons. While the former went to find Mrs Trent in her kingdom, Edmund set off apace for Jem’s room.
     
    Edmund was so long with Jem that both his wife and I feared the very worst, though neither cared to admit it to the other. At last, however, he came into my sitting room, smiling broadly and smelling strongly of lavender water.
    ‘One of Dr Toone’s ideas,’ he said, not quite apologetically, wafting his hands before us. ‘As you know, I believe very strongly in ridding the hands of noxious smells after treating patients living or dead. Dr Toone goes further, not only scrubbing his hands and fingernails, as I do, but also dousing them in lavender water. Is it efficacious? I know not.’
    ‘It is very pleasing to our nostrils at least,’ Mrs Hansard said with a smile.
    Before another word could be said, Mrs Trent summoned us to the dining room, where she had laid out an admirable repast, the greater part, I was sure, conjured from her own supplies: she had her pride to consider, after all, despite Mrs Hansard’s generous gifts.
    Whether or not the girl was pleased with our decision, we dismissed Susan, saying that we would serve ourselves.
    ‘Firstly let me say that I have told Jem all I am going to tell you, Tobias – the man was restless enough