Page 89 of The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals 1)

“He won’t do anything,” Alexander said. “Other than look at him and declare him feverish. The man’s a quack.”

I didn’t argue. Most doctors were. Selling their wares and miracle cures to the hopeful and desperate. I’d spent hard-earned

money just last year for my mother’s breathing problems. None of the powders did any good.

I was growing desperate when Lizzie returned. This time she brought a strange-smelling tea with her. “It’s from Mrs. Wu,” Lizzie said. “She says it’s an ancient Chinese cure for fevers.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“No idea,” Lizzie said. “Some kind of herb mix that she added to hot water and stirred.”

“Should we try it?” I asked Alexander.

“Nothing else is working. Some herbs can’t hurt him.” Alexander helped to get Theo upright. He took the cup from Lizzie’s outstretched hand and lifted it to Theo’s mouth. “Take a few sips. It’ll soothe your throat.”

“Here, let me try,” I said, taking the cup.

Theo opened his mouth, obedient even while incoherent with a fever. I tilted the cup just enough that he was able to take a small amount. After the third sip, Theo shook his head and collapsed against his father’s arms. Alexander guided him gently back onto the pillow.

“She said he has to drink all of it,” Lizzie said. “Use this.” She handed me a spoon.

“You sit him up and I’ll feed it to him,” I said.

Spoonful by spoonful, I fed him the strange-smelling concoction. Finally, the cup was empty, and Theo collapsed back onto the pillow.

After a few minutes, he calmed somewhat and stopped thrashing about. He curled on his side, moaning softly in his sleep. We continued with the cold compresses. I winced over the way they made him shiver.

Finally, around three in the morning, his fever broke. We wrapped him in warm blankets and took him upstairs to his bed. Lizzie had changed his sheets while we were downstairs. Once Alexander had him settled, he sat on the edge of the bed and caressed the boy’s cheek. I sat on the other side of him, watching the man and his son, both of whom had captured my heart the very first moment I met them. If I’d only known what was waiting for me here. All this love.

Theo opened his eyes. “Hi, Papa.” He turned to me. “Miss Quinn? Why are you both here?”

“You had a high fever,” Alexander said. “But you’re better now.”

“I kind of remember some bad soup,” Theo said. “Did you feed me bad soup?”

“A special tea made by Mrs. Wu,” I said. “I think it cured you.”

Theo closed his eyes and turned onto his side. “I don’t want to miss school.”

“Go to sleep, little man,” Alexander said as his shoulders sagged with obvious exhaustion.

“Yes, Papa.”

We gave Theo one more look and added another blanket over his quilt.

We fetched our lanterns and walked into the hallway. He rubbed one hand over the stubble on his face as we made our way down the hallway to my room. The shadow of whiskers made him seem older and dangerous. At my door, we halted. He turned me toward him and splayed his fingers in my loose hair. “I’ve never seen you with your hair down.”

“I’d forgotten it was down,” I said. “This was a tumultuous night.”

He gave me a tired smile. “I couldn’t have made it through without you.”

“You could. You did before I came.”

“I can’t remember before you.” He kissed my cheek, then lightly on the mouth.

I smiled up at him, my chest all achy and soft. “Get some sleep.” When I turned toward the door, I slid slightly in my stocking feet.

Alexander wrapped an arm around my waist. His eyes locked with mine. For a second, we froze, our lanterns hung at our sides with his one arm around my waist. “You must be careful not to fall.” His voice sounded low and throaty and made the spot between my legs quiver.