Page 72 of The Lovers
“I will.”
Quinn rang off, shoved the phone into her pocket, and walked on toward home. She tried to label her emotions but couldn’t quite put a finger on what she was feeling. Relief, disappointment, despair, hope, and a tiny bit of closure.
Quinn kicked off her boots, put the kettle on, and called Gabe. He picked up after several rings sounding harassed. “Sorry, love, got pulled into another departmental meeting. What did Colin say?”
“Sylvia is a match, and Rhys isn’t.”
Gabe was silent for a moment while he absorbed her news. “How do you feel?”
“Honestly, I don’t know yet. I think I’m actually relieved that Rhys isn’t my father. If he were, it’d make working together very difficult—for both of us.”
“Yes, I agree. Will you call Sylvia?” Gabe asked, his voice gentle. He wouldn’t attempt to influence her, but he probably thought she should, if only to find some closure.
“I suppose I’d better. Of course, she already knows she’s my mother,” Quinn said with a nervous giggle.
“Quinn, you don’t have to make any decisions today. Just take a little time to figure out what you want from your relationship with her.”
“I don’t know that I can ever think of her as my mother, but I would like to get to know her better. There are questions I still need to ask. And I’ve decided not to confront Rhys, at least not yet. I’m simply not ready to have that conversation with him.”
“I understand. I’ll call you later. Someone is waiting for me.”
“OK.”
Quinn made herself a cup of tea and sat down in front of the unlit hearth. The house felt cold and damp, but she had no energy to lay a fire. She suddenly felt drained, her heart heavy. Quinn slowly sipped her tea until some warmth returned to her limbs, and she reached for the phone once more. It was time to call Sylvia Wyatt.
FIFTY-THREE
JUNE 1665
Suffolk, England
Elise stood patiently by Edward’s bedside while Dr. Samuels examined him. Edward had slept poorly during the night and was still flushed and agitated come morning. He had no appetite, and his chamber pot was full of vomit that permeated the room with its noxious odor. It was a testament to how ill Edward was that he hadn’t demanded that Elise leave the room as soon as the doctor was admitted and had not objected to her opening the window just a crack to air out the chamber, although the doctor might have had he been able to draw breath without gagging.
“Take that out immediately,” Elise hissed at Peg who poked her head into the room.
“Yes, me lady.” Peg covered the bowl with a towel and took it away, allowing them all to breathe easier. The doctor looked visibly relieved and stuffed the pomander he’d been holding to his nose back in his pocket.
“It’s not the plague, your ladyship,” Dr. Samuels said as he walked out with Elise. “Your husband is suffering from a fever, but he will most certainly recover. He must stay abed for at least a week and have nothing but broth and thin gruel. Keep a fire burning in his bedchamber, and do not open the windows. You don’t want him catching a chill, what with the sea air and all.”
Edward’s room was already stifling, and the smell of stale sweat, vomit, and illness was overwhelming, but Elise nodded in understanding. She would do as she was told.
“And how are you feeling?” the doctor asked as he took in her growing belly.
“I am well,” Elise replied. And she was. She felt more energetic since leaving London, and her appetite had improved. She was actually hungry, especially after taking a brisk walk. The lethargy that plagued her in London seemed to have dissipated, and she felt a need to be active and spend time outdoors in the fresh air.
“You mustn’t exert yourself,” Dr. Samuels admonished, as if he could read her thoughts. “Women in your condition should remain indoors and rest as much as possible. You must attend church, of course, but walking should be avoided, as should all rich foods. Limit yourself to broth and porridge, and under no circumstances are you to consume any uncooked fruit or vegetables. Very unhealthy for digestion, I’m afraid. Have you consulted the local midwife?”
“No, not yet,” Elise admitted. “I’ve been here only a week.”
“I’ll have Mistress Wynne call on you. She’s a good pious woman,” he added, wishing to assure Elise that no accusations of witchcraft had been made against the midwife. “She’s devoted to Christ and the teachings of the Church, and she practices no pagan methods.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Elise didn’t expect Dr. Samuels to attend her at birth if she were still in Suffolk. Male doctors were rarely called, seeing childbirth as the providence of women. If a male doctor was called in, either the mother, the child, or both were in grave danger. Elise hoped that Mistress Wynne was kind. She feared childbirth and,having no mother or other female relatives to offer her guidance, felt isolated and ignorant of what to expect when her time came. A midwife often brought the village gossips with her to ease the labor and offer support to the mother. The women told stories and comforted the laboring woman. Elise wasn’t sure that anyone would come for her since no one in the area knew her, but she longed for the camaraderie of women, even if they happened to be strangers. Elise wished she could have formed more of a bond with Barbara, but the girl seemed even more withdrawn since leaving London. She found the new surroundings intimidating and refused to venture farther than the garden, terrified of seeing the sea. She kept doggedly at her sewing and embroidery and seemed to grow more animated only when she saw James. She obviously trusted him.
Elise went up to see Edward, who was now sitting up in bed propped up by pillows and wearing a clean nightshirt. He still looked deathly pale and was far from clean, his hair greasy and his beard smeared with dried vomit, but at least the air in the room was fresher. Edward waved her away as soon as she stepped into the room. “Leave me. You mustn’t get ill. Send Peg back in. I need to use the chamber pot, and I’d like to wash and shave.”
Elise was sure that Dr. Samuels would advise against such foolishness, but she saw no harm in allowing Edward to freshen up. He was a vain man, and getting clean would allow him to regain some dignity and control over the situation. And if he wanted Peg, well, so much the better. Elise was relieved not to have to look after her husband. His treatment of her rankled, and she’d resolved to spend as little time in his company as possible. She wished she could see James, but he’d gone to London. Elise could understand his need to see to his sister, but she worried so. James and the child were the only things that mattered in her life, but she had little control over their well-being. With James gone,every day felt like an eternity, and Elise had nothing to keep her occupied, save her sewing.
