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"What do you think you're doing, Miss Shaughnessy, keeping the child from his nurse?" Lady Danvers asked in outrage.
Quinn ignored her and turned to Archer, "Are you aware that this woman beats your child?"
The question clearly caught Archer off guard when he didn't immediately answer. He looked puzzled from the nurse to Quinn and back again.
"Hitting is an acceptable way to discipline a child," Lady Danvers interjected.
"Smacking his hands, even whacking his bottom when he misbehaves -- isn't going to hurt him," Archer finally said.
"I agree, but the use of a cane should not be tolerated. Ever."
"What are you talking about?" Archer was truly surprised.
Quinn turned to Nickie. "Show your father."
Miss Jenkins spoke up at that moment. "I do not use a cane. And if there are any bruises on him, they are from him constantly falling out of trees. Like he did again today." Quinn didn't miss the evil smile on the nurse's face after she shared that little secret tidbit with her employer.
"What happened today?"Archer asked and that steely gaze was directed solely on Quinn who wasn't about to confirm the nurse's story so she remained silent. Archer reached for her arm to gain her attention but as soon as his strong hand wrapped around her sore arm, she gasped in pain. He immediately dropped his hand to his side.
"Don't hurt her. Leave her alone. She saved my life today!" Nickie screamed as he threw himself at his father trying to protect the pretty lady who had been kind to him. Archer hunched down and took his son into his arms.
"I didn't mean to hurt her, Nicholas."
"Well, you can't touch her because she's bruised from falling out of a tree saving me."
Archer's head snapped up to look at Quinn's but she offered nothing. Miss Jenkins used the opportunity to try for Nickie again but Quinn stepped in front of her.
"You are not going anywhere near that child," she nearly growled. While she felt strong in her conviction, Quinn couldn't help but feel an odd sense of fear as she looked at Nurse Jenkins. It was like looking into the soul of pure evil.
"It's my job. How dare you?" Nurse Jenkins seethed.
"Dare I? I should beat you to within an inch of your life." Quinn threatened. Her focus was directly on the nurse and her impertinent glower when she added, "I most definitely dare, Miss Jenkins, because you are terrible at your job."
Quinn turned to Archer. "Look at your son's body and see what the person, to whom you have entrusted his welfare, has been doing to him."
And with that Quinn left the solar. As she passed Mr. Tilward she whispered, "I believe I will have dinner in my room after all."
The following morning Quinn was awaken by Mrs. Hamston while Sara pulled open the curtains to let in the morning sun.
"I've made a poultice that I'd like to apply to your bruises."
Quinn hadn't slept much during the night since any pressure at all on her one side had her seeing stars. In her studies she had often read of the wonderful healing properties of homemade poultices so she was more than willing to give it a try.
"Please, that would be most welcomed," she said with relief.
She settled on the edge of the bed before removing her one arm from her wide-sleeve nightgown exposing her side to Mrs. Hamston who immediately gasped in shock.
"My word! It looks worse today."
Quinn happened a glance and couldn't argue with Mrs. Hamston's assessment: it looked awful. The poultice was a creamy purple color and Quinn could smell lavender and mint among the ingredients. As soon as it touched her skin, there was a warmth to it that was very pleasing on her sore muscles.
"That feels wonderful," Quinn said.
"I hope it will bring you some measure of relief," Mrs. Hamston offered sincerely.
She remained silent enjoying Mrs. Hamston's ministrations but after a while she just needed to know. "It isn't my place to ask but what happened to Miss Jenkins?"
Mrs. Hamston was quiet for a minute before she offered, "She has been dismissed."
