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Chapter Twenty-Four
Amelia had fallen asleep in the chair at her mother’s bedside, and she woke with a jolt. All the memories of the past few hours came screaming back to her, and her stomach heaved with pain. She turned to her mother, whose breathing was still raspy but regular, and she let out a sigh of relief. Sophie quietly knocked on the door.
“Come in!” Amelia called, and in entered a tall, older man with gray hair and spectacles. He was wearing a tall hat, woolen coat, black pants, and boots, and he carried with him a leather bag.
Sophie said, “This is Dr. Sexton.” She curtsied and left the room. Amelia bowed her head at her guest, and said, “Thank you for coming, Doctor. I’m afraid I don’t know how long my mother has been ill, as I live at Kinnaird Castle, but you may ask Sophie any questions you have.”
“Thank you, Miss…”
“Parker.”
“Parker. May I examine the patient?”
“Of course.” She stepped aside to allow Dr. Sexton to have better access to her mother.
He felt her mother’s head and stomach and under her neck. He placed a metal instrument on her chest on which he placed his ear next to listen to her heart and breathing. He furrowed his brow and looked up at Amelia. “Since you’ve arrived has there been any vomit or excrement or coughing?”
Amelia shook her head tiredly. “No, nothing like that. She has only slept. When I arrived, she was able to speak slightly, but she appeared very weak.”
He stood, sighing. “Your mother has a fever, and her breathing is rough and labored. I believe she has influenza.”
Amelia gasped, fresh tears threatening to leave her eyes. “What...what can we do, doctor?”
“I can provide a tonic to ease her pain and reduce the fever, but all we can do is wait. Please make sure she drinks water and try to keep her cool. Do not allow her to get up.”
He stood up and searched in his bag for the tonic. He left it on the bedside table. “Make sure she has one spoonful a day at least.”
Amelia stood as he went to leave. “Thank you, doctor. Please see Sophie for the payment.”
He nodded and donned his hat. “Thank you, Miss Parker. Please send word if there are any problems.”
“I will.” Amelia stood at the doorway, clasping the edge of the doorway as she watched Sophie walk him out and pay him his wage.
She turned back to her mother, digging in her mind for solutions. Was there a way she could help her mother feel better? She smiled and sat down next to her again. Marianne entered, and asked, “What did the doctor say?”
“Influenza. We must wait for her to heal and pray to God that she does.” Marianne sat on the other side. “My God. Why are you smiling, then?”
“I thought, maybe it would help her to heal if we could talk to her about the earlier times, when we were all together, and all was well.”
“I can help you with that.” Marianne smiled, and Amelia began talking to her mother about the happy memories from their past.
* * *
Donald returned to the castle, triumphant in his victory, with a carriage full of his remaining belongings. He’d had to sell the most precious, but now, with the Kinnaird wealth at his fingertips, and Lord Braithwaite’s connections in the English court, he could fill the castle with as many valuable objects as he pleased. The carriage rode up the drive to the front door, and as Donald exited, he breathed in the sweet smell of his new home.
“Father, would ye not be proud? Yer son is now a laird,” he spoke to the air. He walked inside to find Fiona and William by the fire, deep in conversation.
Donald’s happy mood slowly cooled as he walked closer to their chairs. “Fraser, I donnae remember invitin’ ye tae stay in me new home.”
William grumbled and stood, closing the space between them, his tall frame towering over Donald’s minute one. Donald stood with his chest out, attempting to appear larger. “Ye will get what ye deserve, Donald. I can promise ye that.”
Donald chuckled and walked away to the wine cabinet to pour himself a drink. “Ye donnae need tae promise, me old friend. I’ve won my inheritance, and now, aye, I am getting what I deserve.”
Fiona stood and put a hand on William’s arm, to prevent him from further action. She placed a smile on her face. “Welcome, nephew. Even though your lairdship is now intact, you would not begrudge an aunt her bedchamber?”
Donald stood uneasily, unhappy with the situation, but knowledgeable of the fact that the immediate expulsion of his aunt would look badly to the other clan members.
“Nay, ye are welcome tae stay for a time. Do ye have the key tae the vault?”
