Page 59 of Rose
“What shall I do?” Iris said, holding out one of the fabric strips.
“Gently wrap the wound, one strip at a time,” Rose advised.
She watched as Iris laid the cloth across Elizabeth’s palm then swept it around her whole hand.
“A little tighter,” Rose said, keeping a close eye on Iris’s progress.
Soon, Elizabeth’s wound was fully dressed, and the strips knotted off. Iris looked at Rose with grateful, tear-filled eyes. “Thank you,” she said, squeezing Rose’s hand.
“Ye don’t need to thank me,” Rose replied. “I couldn’t have done it alone.”
Smiling through her tears, Iris pulled her daughter into her arms, kissed her brow, and rocked her gently.
Rose sat beside them, swaying slowly side to side in the familiar motions of motherhood.
“I’ve got the tisane,” Betsy said breathlessly, charging into the room, but in her haste, she spilled some of the brew. “Don’t worry,” she said, lifting a pot in her other hand. “I’ve got more.” She handed the cup and pot to Rose. “I’ll just run and fetch a rag to clean the spill.”
“Here,” Rose said, passing the cup to Iris who helped Elizabeth drink it down.
A short while later, Tristan and Owen arrived with the physician.
“She’s there, Colin,” Owen said, breathlessly, pointing to his daughter.
“He has eyes, dear,” Iris said to her husband. “Thank you for coming, Colin.” Then she turned to Rose. “Help me get her in a chair.”
Rose stood and helped both Elizabeth and Iris to their feet. After Elizabeth was seated, Rose gave the physician an account of the accident and how she’d treated Elizabeth’s burns.
“You have done well, Rose,” Colin said when she finished. A wide smile spread across his ruddy face, crinkling his eyes at the edges. Then he turned to Tristan. “And so have you,” he said with a wink.
“Will our daughter be all right?” Owen asked.
Colin nodded, causing his heavy jowls to wobble. “I’m certain of it.” He sat down next to Elizabeth and examined her dressing. He smiled once again at Rose. “You have done exactly as I would have. Ground oak bark and honey will soothe the burn and encourage healing.” He shifted in his seat and said to Owen. “Your new daughter-in-law is a skilled healer.”
“Thank ye,” Rose said. “But Mistress Thatcher was of great assistance.”
Iris smiled proudly. “I applied the dressing.”
Tristan wrapped his arm around Rose’s shoulder and smiled down at her. “My wife is a woman of great character and strength. All of you have only glimpsed a fraction of her true worth.”
The physician stood then and shook Tristan’s hand. “You are a very lucky man.” Then he turned to Elizabeth. “I will visit tomorrow at midday and see how you are feeling, my dear. Until then, get plenty of rest, and do not remove your dressings. Fresh air might renew the pain.”
“Thank you for coming so quickly, Colin. Please take your noon meal with us on the morrow after you tend Elizabeth.”
“Thank you, Mistress Thatcher,” Colin said. “I would be delighted.”
Iris smiled. “We look forward to your company.” She walked Colin to the doorway. “Darby will see you home again.”
After the physician left, Tristan stood and reached for Rose’s hand. “We should also be going,” he said. “It has been a very long day. I would like to see Rose settled for the night.”
His stepmother’s eyes widened. “No, Tristan! It would please me very much if you and Rose would stay here for the duration of your visit.” Then she smiled at Rose. “That way I can get to know my new daughter better.”
