Old Sins Long Shadows (22 page)

The grey voluminous clouds and slanting sheets of rain blew Doctor Barker into the manor causing the front door to slam against the wall in protestation. His wet coat was quickly taken from his shoulders, his hat, which he shook to release the raindrops that clung to its brim, soon followed. Hurriedly he was shown to Lord Brockenshaw’s room where he remained for some time. Following his assessment he spent time speaking to the staff before being shown into Lady Brockenshaw’s breakfast room by her butler. She sat stiffly in her seat, her face ashen and drawn with worry. The window panes rattled against the storm outside but the room within remained silent and tense. Dr Barker opened his mouth to speak but it was Lady Brockenshaw that broke the silence.

‘
Good morning Richard, how is my husband?  My maid has informed me he has been taken unwell in the night. I do not wish my husband ill but I would not like to think you have wasted your morning being called here.’  She nervously smiled at her own attempt at a joke but her eyes were filled with sorrow.

‘
My morning has not been wasted, Elizabeth,’ he replied softly. Understanding the meaning of his words her hand instantly shot out and reached for Janey’s who stood quietly at her side. Her frail hand had sought support and Janey squeezed it in response.

‘
We have known each other most of our lives, Richard. Speak plainly as I will be relying on my staff at this time and it is therefore important they understand what you have to say.’

The d
octor sat down opposite her and took her other hand.

‘
George is very ill. He is feverish and his tongue is red and swollen. We cannot be certain until the rash appears, however I do believe he has scarlet fever.’  Lady Brockenshaw gave a little gasp, her grip tightening on Janey’s hand. ‘I have also examined your scullery maid who I was informed had also been taken unwell this morning. I am afraid she is beginning to show similar symptoms.’

Jan
ey interjected at her mistress’ enquiring look, ‘We have put Lizzy to bed, ma’am.’

‘
Is it serious?’ she enquired and the doctor released her hand and sat back reluctant to proceed but knowing he must.

‘Your scullery maid is young, she has a fighting chance. George has a severe case, I’m afraid. His age is against him and his heart is not healthy.’

‘
But he will live?’  It was a desperate question but the doctor’s sombre mood had already paved the way for the inevitable answer.

‘
I have never lied to you, Elizabeth and I will not now. I believe it will be a miracle if George survives this. I will prescribe medicine to help fight the fever and make him more comfortable but he is not strong.’

‘
Then we must pray for a miracle, Richard. For I don’t know how I will live without him.’

The doctor did not stay long, the fever had given him little rest over the preceding weeks and he already had a string of further visits to make before the day was out
. In hushed tones he went through the medicine with Mr Tallock and Janey and, after discussing the situation with her ladyship, they both went to the servant’s hall where the staff had gathered, waiting to hear the news.

‘
The time has come.’ Mr Tallock’s grave shaky voice broke into Janey’s thoughts as they descended the stairs together. ‘They will see my nerves. It will unsettle them.’

‘
Nonsense,’ she replied. ‘All you have to do is delegate the care of Lord Brockenshaw and Lizzy to me. I will speak to the staff regarding what will be required. You will continue to head the house as always. Your duties need not change.’

‘
I don’t know what I would do without you, Janey.’

‘
You would manage, as you have done for the past ten years. Now I will hear no more on it. We are a team, we will work well together.’

Facing the staff a few minutes later, Janey hoped she could live up to the promises she had made to the butler and her mistress. Her confidence faltered as she stood before the staff who had gathered to listen. Mr Tallock had already told them of the doctor’s findings and the mood was sombre. She looked around at the faces now turned to her, waiting to hear what she had to say. Who was she, she silently questioned herself, to dictate how things should be done?  She observed the faces looking at her, some older than herself, most with more experience in service and all nervous of the situation that had developed that morning. Someone had to take charge and it had to be done quickly. Janey took a deep breath and began to speak.

‘
Mr Tallock has told you what the doctor has said. It is a grave situation but I think - I know,’ she corrected herself, ‘that if we are willing to be flexible with our duties and supportive of others in theirs, we will be able to contain the fever.’  She nervously licked her lips before continuing. ‘I am going to nurse Lord Brockenshaw and Lizzy but I cannot do this on my own. I will need one volunteer. This will mean that we will have four staff members unable to work their usual duties Miss Petherbridge, Lizzy, myself and one other. To run the house in the normal way would be impossible. I therefore recommend that we close the North and West wing. This means no blacking the grates, cleaning, lighting of fires, changing of flowers, nothing in these areas. This will reduce the workload.’  A few staff nodded in agreement at this novel idea. ‘Many of you may already know that I took Lizzy to her bed. She is not, however, in her own bed.’  Janey heard a murmur of surprise from Mrs Friggens. ‘She is in a bed in the nursery. I and my helper will sleep in the Nanny’s room next to the nursery. Lord Brockenshaw’s room is just along the corridor. This means we can nurse Lizzy and Lord Brockenshaw and sleep without leaving the second floor East wing. All food and change of linen can be left in the corridor and we will collect it from there. No other staff member is to enter this area. I believe this will help to contain the fever and prevent infection of others.’ There was a murmur of agreement from the staff, relief, no doubt, at not having to be in contact with the patients. ‘John, your duties of valet is not required at the moment. I spoke of flexibility in our duties. I am not a nurse but I am willing to nurse. John, we need someone to keep the copper hot so linen and towels can be boiled. There will be other duties such as carrying coal for the fire. I know you will be willing to help out and support the other staff in this time of need.’  She turned to speak to Charlotte and Mary, ‘Lady Brockenshaw is aware of my recommendations and agrees. She wishes to remain in her bedroom and parlour and will not require her frequent changes of dress during this time. However, she will require one of you to take on my duties as well as your own and the one that volunteers to help me. Do not be afraid to ask for help from the others. We must all help each other.’  Lastly she looked at Mrs Friggens who stood at the back of the crowd. ‘I would be grateful of your expert knowledge in providing nutritious foods for the sick. I was thinking along the lines of thick, smooth soups to provide fluid and sustenance when the throat is sore and appetite poor, do you agree?’  Mrs Friggens nodded,

‘
And perhaps a nice rice pudding that can be eaten cold or hot?’

Janey smiled, if Mrs Friggens was on her side others would follow,

‘That would be wonderful,’ she smiled, ‘Now lets not delay. There is work to be done.’

The staff
dissolved into their various roles, a renewed purpose emanated the air. Mr Tallock smiled at Janey as she made her way up the stairs to the second wing, his praise was genuine.

‘
That was very good.’

‘
Thank you, but as I have learnt over these past months, words are nothing, it’s the action that counts.’

It wasn’t until Janey reached the top of the flight of stairs to the second floor that she heard the footsteps rushing up behind her. Turning, she saw Mary appearing from around the corner to stand and watch her
. She waited, expecting Mary, known for her forth right questioning personality and, as Daniel had once said “likes no one but herself”, to voice her opposition to all her recent suggestions, but to her surprise Mary said nothing.

‘
What do you want?’ she finally asked her becoming unnerved by Mary’s watchfulness as she continued to stand on the stair. To her surprise Mary gave her a big smile.

‘
I’ve volunteered to help you,’ she said as she pushed passed Janey. ‘I shouldn’t be surprised you’re shocked,’ she continued cheerfully, ‘I shocked myself!’

Quite bemused, Janey followed her onto the second floor, for Mary was the last person she thought would volunteer
. The next few days would be interesting, thought Janey to herself. They would either see their fledgling friendship strengthened or implode, and only time would tell.

Chapter 9

To the surprise of the downstairs staff, not to mention the two women themselves, it soon transpired that Janey and Mary worked well together. The women found themselves as equals with the hierarchy of servant position no longer present to cause friction or resentment. They were now both in the unfamiliar role of nursing. They had the responsibility of containing the fever and nursing the sick whilst at the same time isolated from the other staff with only each other for company. A new Mary emerged. Gone was the sour faced, sharp tongued girl with the chip on her shoulder at being told what to do. In her place was a gentle and softly spoken carer whose organisation, hands on skill and observation of her patient’s needs matched any trained nurse. Unknown to all, and most of all Mary herself, she had a natural affinity to care for others and on the second floor east wing of Bosvenna Manor she had accidently stumbled on her calling in life. At first Mary did not realise this and it was Janey who quietly observed the transformation and came to understand the reason for the change in her character. All Mary knew was that for the first time in her life she experienced satisfaction with her work. It provided a fulfilment that put energy in her step, ignited a desire to learn more and at the end of the day, a peace in her heart that what she had done had been important. How could her role as a servant ever fulfil her in the same way again?

Their first task at the beginning of their self imposed isolation was to tend to Lord Brockenshaw
. They took courage in each other as neither woman had ever washed a man before, let alone their employer. However, it was a task that had to be done to not only make him more comfortable but to reduce his fevered state. He lay quietly, like a sickly child. He did not refuse or acknowledge their presence, his laboured breathing the only sound to come from his hot, sweaty body. Next they changed his bedding, discarding the smelly damp sheets for fresh crisp linen and soft, puffed up pillows. Together they heaved his heavy body on his side in order to roll a clean sheet beneath him. Once clean and settled they gave him some cool water to drink, discovering that offering small amounts on a teaspoon was the most successful way.

Next they
saw to Lizzy, who lay limp and shivering in her bed, though her body was hot. Although the temptation was to heap blankets upon her to stop the shivering Janey made the decision to wash her in lukewarm water. At first Mary protested but Janey was adamant that the shivering was due to a high temperature and that it must be reduced. Before her eyes Mary witnessed what she considered a miracle as Lizzy’s violent shivering gradually reduced as her temperature fell. It ignited an interest that she never realized she had and from then on she would question Janey on every decision she made. Janey did not mind as they were born from a desire to learn, an obsession she recognised as she had also felt that very same drive as a child. The years following her sister’s deaths she would hide in her father’s library reading a large solid medical book that sat otherwise untouched on one of the many shelves.

By the second day the distinctive red rash appeared confirming the diagnosis and th
e news was soon relayed to her ladyship by Mr Tallock. Doctor Barker visited daily but despite their best efforts Lord Brockenshaw remained gravely ill.

‘How is Lizzy?’ came Charlotte’s worried voice through the closed door which formed the demarcation line between staff. On one side was the corridor that connected the wing to the rest of the house, on the other was Lord Brockenshaw’s dressing room, where Janey now stood leaning her cheek against the cool wooden panels. Despite working in four hour shifts with Mary throughout the night, which allowed them both to snatch periods of sleep, she was beginning to feel tired.

‘
Lizzy still has a high temperature but Dr Barker is pleased with her progress. How has Lady Brockenshaw taken the news about her husband?’

‘
She doesn’t say much, just sits there.’ Janey gnawed her lip, she felt guilty leaving her mistress and worried that she was not the only one feeling isolated. She was sure that Lady Brockenshaw would have expressed her concerns more freely if she was still in attendance and as if reading her thoughts Charlotte added, ‘I’m sure she finds me irritating. She snaps at me when she knocks things over as if it’s my fault.’  Janey sighed, she was torn between wanting to be by her mistress’ side at this distressing time and ensuring the safety of the staff. Charlotte’s voice once more broke into her thoughts. ‘Mr Tallock has written to Master Brockenshaw on her behalf, but there seems to be some confusion where he is lodging at the moment. He’s worried he won’t arrive in time.’ Charlotte hesitated, ‘You know - before the good Lord takes him.’ Janey remained quiet and listened to Charlotte shuffling on the other side of the door. ‘I almost forgot.  This came for you.’ An envelope appeared under the door. ‘I managed to take it before anyone else saw. Is it from your mother?’