Authors: Unknown
‘I’ve brought Doc Mulholland to have a look at you.’
Forgetting the borrowed jacket, Davina shot up in bed. ‘I don’t need a doctor,’ she protested as Tom Mulholland, eyes twinkling, unscrewed the cap off his thermometer.
‘No harm in my running the rule over you, since I’m here,’ he said, and popped the slim glass tube between Davina’s lips before she could utter a word of protest. He took up her wrist and as he checked the pulse rate asked over his shoulder, ‘How long’s she been like this?’
Ignoring the spark of anger in Davina’s eyes, Rex replied as if she were part of the furniture, ‘Only today. The silly girl went out without a coat yesterday afternoon.’
As Tom removed the thermometer, Davina said angrily, ‘I don’t usually catch anything. And anyway, I hadn’t realised how sharp the wind was going to be,’ she ended lamely, aware of the derision in Rex’s eyes.
‘Well, you’ve certainly got a fever,’ Tom Mulholland said, ‘though I think it’s simply a chill,’ he went on, feeling the glands in Davina’s neck. ‘Stay in bed for the next twenty-four hours. Lots of fluid and aspirin, of course. I’ll leave Rex something, so you’ll be sure of a good night. It’s marvellous what a good sleep will do. Incidentally,’ he went on, and the twinkle had returned to his eyes, ‘I like the nightwear. Very fetching!’
Rex looked even more than usually sardonic as he said, ‘I told you she was a silly girl. Even when she’s ill she hasn’t the sense to wrap up.’ Abruptly his expression changed as Tom Mulholland asked,
‘Like me to get rid of that crowd down there? I recommend an early night for this young lady here.’
‘Can you? They look dug in to me,’ Rex answered.
‘Don’t you believe it,’ Tom Mulholland answered cheerfully. ‘Come and watch while I say Davina’s infectious. You won’t be able to see how quickly they’ll remember pressing appointments elsewhere,' and Rex gave a smile of grim satisfaction as with a ‘goodnight’ from Tom, the two men went away.
Not five minutes later, the sound of departures came clearly to Davina’s ears and when Rex strolled into the room to draw the curtains she asked, ‘What did he say I’d got? Cholera?’ and Rex smiled faintly.
‘Nothing quite so drastic, but it served the purpose. Give me your hot water bottle and I’ll refill it while you clean your teeth. Five minutes, mind, then you’re to be back in bed.’ Davina had no wish to extend the time limit, for she found herself to be strangely unsteady on her trip to the bathroom and returned to creep thankfully back to bed. Rex, coming in with the hot water bottle, was also carrying a cup of tea, some hot buttered toast and a sleeping pill. Davina eyed it with disfavour. ‘Do I have to take that?’
‘You do,’ came the remorseless reply, and when she said in a small voice, ‘But, Rex, I’m not used to taking sleeping pills,’ he answered, ‘There’s a first time for everything. You may have to get used to doing a lot of things you’re not used to doing one of these days. In any case,’ he finished unkindly, ‘it will obviate me being called up during the night if you’ve had a knock-out drop.’
‘You’re a beast,’ Davina announced, but her voice was mild. She was suddenly aware that the chill was indeed her own fault and that Rex, though he had censured her for her stupidity, had been remarkably kind. His sick-nursing might be rough and ready, but it was nevertheless efficient and he had taken the trouble to find out that it was no worse than he suspected. Another man might not even have noticed she was off colour, let alone sent her off to bed.
She swallowed the pill and began to sip at the tea, quite unaware that her face was mirroring these thoughts. Rex sat on the end of the bed watching her finish the meagre supper and when the last crumb of toast had vanished he asked, ‘More tea?’
Davina shook her head and yawned. The drug was already beginning to take effect as she smiled dreamily, slithered down and said sleepily, ‘No, thanks. See you in the morning, Rex,’ as she felt a hand tuck in the covers.
But it was past midday when her eyes opened again and she blinked and rubbed her eyes. She picked up the little bedside clock to give it a shake, thinking it had stopped, but the steady tick told her she really had slept all morning. She lay back again, glad that her sore throat felt better and the pain in her head reduced to a faint twinge only when she turned it from side to side.
She was considering getting up when she heard Rex coming upstairs. He opened the bedroom door quietly, then seeing she was awake, came right into the room. ‘Well, Sleeping Beauty I Feeling better?’
Davina smiled sleepily as he walked forward and sat down on the bed. He laid one hand, large, brown and infinitely gentle, against her forehead and said, ‘Cool as a cucumber,' before she could frame a reply.
As she reached up and took his hand between her own, she smiled again. ‘I don’t know what Tom gave me last night, but I feel well enough to get up. I’m sure you’re fed up having to be cook and nursemaid, especially as it was entirely my own fault.’
‘Glad you admit it,’ Rex raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘However, there’s no sense in rushing things. Stay where you are until this afternoon. I’ve some soup on the go. Fancy a drop?’
‘Please.’ Davina, suddenly conscious she was still holding Rex’s hand, let go and struggled to a sitting position, aware that there was amusement and instant awareness in the hard eyes watching. However, Rex had apparently no intention of making the most of the situation, for with a casual, ‘I’ll be back with your lunch in ten minutes,’ he strolled out of the room.
Even when she heard Rex and Mr Farr return to the barn, Davina still stayed where she was. The day in bed or the after-effects of the sleeping pill had left her feeling extraordinarily lazy and it was some time before she summoned up the energy to collect clean clothes and go down to the bathroom.
She washed her hair as well when she discovered there was plenty of hot water and rubbed it almost dry before coaxing it into neat curls and waves. Feeling a good deal more lively now she was up and dressed, she went to the kitchen, stopping on the threshold as she saw it was as neat as a pin.
She had expected a sink piled with dirty dishes awaiting her and food left around, but the room was as orderly as when she was in charge. Going into the pantry, Davina discovered that Rex must have stocked up, probably this morning while she slept, and feeling a twinge of dejection, she carried a leg of lamb into the kitchen and began preparations for the evening meal.
She was thinking that Rex Fitzpaine was a man of many talents, one who could cope perfectly well without a woman’s help, when Jim Thomas drove into the yard.
He came into the kitchen carrying an armful of red roses and stopped in his tracks when he saw Davina standing at the sink peeling potatoes.
‘My goodness, that was a quick recovery! I got the impression you were on the verge of pneumonia last night and came along expecting to hold the invalid’s hand,' he teased.
Davina dried her hands. ‘I caught a chill braving your winds inadequately clad. Are those for me, Jim? They’re lovely,’ she added as Jim pushed the roses into her arms. ‘But two dozen ! What an extravagance!'
Jim pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘I felt like throwing myself in the River Eden this morning, then I saw these in a shop in Carlisle and thought you might like them,’ he announced gloomily, and as Davina, a questioning look in her eyes, continued to stand eyeing him over the fragrant armful of flowers, he took a letter from his pocket and flung it on the table.
‘This arrived in the morning’s mail.’
Davina put the roses down and reached for the letter. ‘Read it,' Jim suggested, and dug pipe and tobacco pouch out of his other pocket.
‘Sure you want me to?’ Davina sat down opposite him and at his nod reluctantly withdrew the letter. It was brief and to the point. Mr Jonathan Comstone presented his compliments to Mr James Thomas, and wished to inform him that his professional services were no longer required by the Camshaw Hall Estate.
‘You don’t mean to say this is because .. Davina stammered to a halt in her astonishment.
‘I told you it was a possibility. I went up to ask for an explanation first thing after my morning surgery. The Squire kept me waiting twenty minutes before he saw me, then told me to my face that he couldn’t do business with anyone who condoned adultery. Condoned adultery I’ Jim repeated. ‘I ask you, Dav—In this day and age when the divorce rate is so high. And did he expect me to turn my own sister from my door as if she were some kind of leper? The trouble is, Jonathan Comstone is a pretty influential man in the county. I’m bound to lose other clients when this gets around.’
‘Oh, Jim, I am sorry !’ Davina reached over and put a hand over one of his. But she was aware of concern on her own account as well as his as he laid down his pipe and took her hand between his own.
Jim looked grateful for the instant sympathy as he said, ‘Thanks I had to talk to someone and I could hardly tell Adele.’
Adele again, Davina thought, and tried to withdraw her hand, but Jim had a tight grasp on it. He seemed unaware of having said the wrong thing, for he said thoughtfully, ‘Perhaps when all the bother and publicity is over the Squire will change his mind. As soon as her finances are settled, I daresay Adele will want to be off.’
But divorce settlements sometimes took months, Davina thought to herself, and wished Catrin had fallen in love with anyone other than David Comstone. How fate could twist and complicate things, she was thinking as the door swung open and Rex came in.
Lost in unhappy speculation, Davina had not heard his approach and she snatched her hand from Jim’s as she saw Rex note their clasped hands and the old ironic gleam appear in his eyes.
‘I came to say I’m just going to run Farr and the boy down to the village,’ he drawled, and his eyes moved to the roses. Davina felt a flush colouring her cheeks as he went on suavely, ‘The old chap’s having tea with his sister-in-law and Peter has got choir practice, so they won’t be here for supper.’
‘I’ll take them. I’m just going,' Jim said, getting to his feet. ‘Save you a journey. I only came up to see how Dav was getting on.’
‘Up and about again, as you see,’ Rex answered. ‘Thanks, I’d be glad if you’d take them down,’ and he followed Jim outside.
He returned again five minutes later and one glance at his face told Davina she was not to escape this time. ‘You do realise the poor chap’s well on the way to falling in love with you?’ he began, and when Davina opened her mouth to protest he held up a hand to silence her.
Picking up the roses, Rex looked at them in silent appraisal while she watched his face. Suddenly he looked up and met her anxious eyes. ‘No one buys two dozen long-stemmed red roses if their intentions are purely platonic. But then I think you know that. The scene I interrupted ten minutes ago was anything but platonic.’ Rex’s tones bit, making an involuntary shiver run down Davina’s spine.
‘I was only trying to comfort him. Things are far from easy for Jim, so it was sweet of him to come up to enquire how I was.’
Rex had a distinctly sceptical gleam in his eyes as he retorted, ‘No need to let him think his advances would be welcome, though, is there? And what, may I ask, is he finding far from easy?’
Davina hesitated, unsure whether Jim would wish her to pass on his confidences. When Rex said harshly, ‘Don’t try and tell me you’re a soft touch for a hard luck story,’ however, Davina forgot caution and replied hotly, ‘It wasn’t a hard luck story. He’s had his contract with Camshaw Hall terminated because of Adele's divorce.’
As soon as the words were out, Davina regretted them, for laying the roses down Rex turned to face her and there was undisguised amusement in his face. ‘No doubt that the Squire believes in practising what he preaches I Any chance of Catrin’s infatuation fading?’
Davina turned away, chilled by Rex’s hard, implacable tones. ‘Not as far as I know. She thinks it would be an easy matter to get David’s father softened up.’
Rex did not reply and Davina looked over her shoulder to find he had become lost in thought. Becoming aware of her questioning glance, he seemed to pull his thoughts back to the present as he said, ‘Since Jim’s taken over as chauffeur, I’ll be in the barn until supper’s ready,’ and he went out, leaving Davina’s mind in a turmoil as she got on with the cooking.
He had not returned when the roast was ready, and Davina went out to look for him. Sounds coming from the barn led her in that direction and she found Rex, sleeves rolled up, mixing a concoction in a large tin. It smelled strongly and Davina’s nose wrinkled in disapproval. ‘Whatever is it?*
‘Linseed oil and distemper. Very good for the sinuses,' Rex explained patiently. ‘Red for the Welsh ram, black for the other,’ and he pointed to another tin nearby. ‘We’re raddling tomorrow as the ewes have been fed enough for mating.’
Seeing Davina’s continuing perplexity he went on, his soft drawl now holding a note of mild amusement at her ignorance, ‘It’s necessary to know how many marriages have been properly consummated once the rams are put with their flocks. Hence the dyes.'
Enlightenment dawned and Davina laughed. ‘Of course, how stupid of me. Supper’s ready. Will you be long.’
‘Coming right now. This is ready.’ Rex straightened. ‘I’ve got something to show you after supper.’
As he wiped his hands on a piece of rag Davina asked, a ripple of excitement in her voice, ‘What is it?*
‘Wait and see,’ Rex ordered, and putting away the things he had been using he walked her back to the house.
No one could have eaten in a more leisurely fashion, Davina decided a hour later as, his appetite satisfied at last, Rex got out his makings and began his rolling of the inevitable after-supper cigarette. He looked faintly amused when Davina, her patience exhausted, said, ‘Well! What was it you wanted me to see?’
‘All in good time. It will keep. I’ll help with the dishes.’ Rex seemed bent on being provoking as he chatted casually while helping her clear away. But as soon as she had laid the tea tray, he seemed to relent, as with a, ‘Don’t put the kettle on yet. I won’t keep you in suspense any longer,’ and taking her by one hand, he led her across the hall into the study.