Page 26 of An Allusive Love
“Fever.” She dragged in another breath. “She’s delirious. It’s getting worse.”
“Come in and sit down while I collect a few things. Ye’ll no’ be any help if ye canna walk or talk.”
Nodding, Mairi followed her in the house. “Where’s Mrs. MacDunn?”
“My mother’s gone into Dunderave with my da, but I’ve assisted her since I was eight.” She squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “I’ll leave a note, and I’ll send Charlie back if we need help. Do ye trust me?”
Mairi’s shimmering gaze locked with hers as a tear slipped down her cheek. She nodded, her bright red hair a mass of tangled, frizzy curls.
“Good. Now, tell me when she came down with the fever.”
Kirstine listened and asked several more questions, ascertaining what tinctures or poultices might be needed. Agnes hadn’t been well the day before and retired early. This morning she’d slept late, and Mairi had busied herself with the daily chores. When she returned, she found her father frantic because of her grandmother’s deteriorating condition.
“I’m going to the shed for a few more supplies. We can take old Captain and ride double.” Her pony Speckles would be much quicker, but she hesitated to leave Mairi behind. The poor thing was exhausted and would worry all the way home.
Fever could mean illness or infection. Injury didn’t seem to be the cause, but Kirstine wanted to be prepared. This would be the first emergency she’d handled alone. Quickly choosing another bottle and a tin, she added them to her mother’s satchel and emerged into the afternoon sunlight. Charlie was barking again, and a shadowed figure loomed above her on horseback.
“Oh, Brodie. I’m so sorry, but I canna meet with ye today. Mairi’s grandmother is ill.”
Mairi came from the back of the blackhouse, leading Captain.
“I hope it’s no’ serious. She’ll be dead before ye arrive if ye take that ancient mount. Is yer pony lame?”
She shook her head and explained.
“I’ll accompany ye and the lass can ride behind me.” He handed Kirstine his reins. “Wait here. I’ll saddle yer horse for ye.”
Brodie approached Mairi, spoke to her, and she nodded. He led the gelding back and soon returned with the spotted pony. He handed the bag to Mairi and gave Kirstine a leg up, then mounted his own horse. Mairi grabbed his outstretched arm, and he swung her up and behind him. With the satchel between the two of them, she wrapped her arms firmly around his waist.
“Are we ready, ladies?” he asked, all humor gone from his tone.
“Aye,” they both said in unison and set off at a gallop, the deerhound racing alongside them.
Mairi’s father, Sean, met them at the door, his hazel eyes bloodshot and tired. He ran a hand through his auburn hair. “She’s mumbling about faeries and seeing her daughter again.”
“Brodie, would ye see to the horses while Mairi and I tend to Agnes?” She laid a hand on Sean’s shoulder. “Go on now, and we’ll take over. Ye look worn out.”
He nodded. “I dinna ken what we’ll do without her. She’s been a second mother to me. When my wife died, she swooped in like an angel and…” Sean swiped a calloused hand over his face. “Please, help her… help us.”
Kirstine followed Mairi into a small chamber at the back of the cottage. The room was stifling. “Lord have mercy, it’s hot enough for the devil himself. Open the window so we can all breathe!”
A gentle gust brought immediate relief as Kirstine pulled back the counterpane. She could feel the heat emanating from the fragile body. The elderly woman’s nightshift was soaked, loose tendrils of her silver hair sticking to her crepe-like skin. When she opened her eyes, they were dark and glazed. Her head tossed back and forth against the damp pillow.
“Agnes, can ye hear me?” she asked. A bony hand gripped her arm, but there was no response.
“Let’s get her undressed and find clean sheets for her to lie on. We’ll cool her down with lavender water and see what ails her.” It would be a long night. Fevers were unpredictable and could last hours or days. Kirstine prayed there was no rash beneath the nightrail.
Brodie appeared at the door with a bucket of cold water. “Can I help?”
She shook her head. “Stay with Sean, distract him. I’ll come out after I’ve examined her.”
In a steady, composed voice, she spoke to Mairi as she withdrew a bottle and cloths from the satchel. She added the tincture to the bucket of water and put the girl to work, making strips and soaking them in the lavender water. Mairi’s face relaxed as she set about her task.
Keep them busy, give the family members a purpose. There’s less time to worry, and it eases the sense of helplessness.It had been one of the first lessons her mother had given.
As they bathed Agnes, the elderly woman quieted. Kirstine washed and inspected her frail form, looking for a clue as to what had caused the fever. She pulled away the damp sheet to sponge Agnes’s legs.
“Mairi, what happened to her foot?” Kirstine gingerly touched the swollen appendage. A dark bluish purple with yellow pus oozed from between several toes.
