Page 53 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

“Does it hurt?”

“Nay, there’s no pain. It happened earlier this morneen, just before a storm rolled in.”

Dr. Sherwin raised his eyebrows. “Storm? There has na been a storm today.”

“You did na see it? ’Twas gone within a few minutes, but I could na figure out what was wrong with my hands. Can you help me?”

“Let’s just see how hot ’tis, shall we?” Dr. Sherwin shuffled around her and rifled through his desk until he found a strange tube.

“What isthat?”

A proud expression came over the man’s face as he held it out to her. “This is something every doctor in the world needs. I heard the famed Dr. George Martine[20]used a device like this, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on one. It calculates internal body temperature. Now, hold this under your arm.”

After a few minutes, the doctor retrieved the peculiar device and examined it.

Briony’s stomach dropped when she saw the shock in his eyes. “What?! Nay, that can’ be!” He shook the thermometer several times, blinked, wiped his glasses against his shirt, and checked again.

“Well? What does it say?”

Dr. Sherwin turned to Briony with a look of horror. “I—Surely there must be a mistake—”

“What does it say?”

“One hundred and fifteen degrees. But you should na be standing here if that’s the case. You should be…”

Briony nodded to get him to continue.

“Well, you should be dead, mistress.”

His words seemed to suck all the air from the room. Briony inhaled several times, attempting to get a good breath, but she couldn’t. Dr. Sherwin’s office was suddenly far too small.I have to get out o’ here.

Briony fled as quickly as she could, desperate for wide, open spaces where the air came easily and no one stared at her as though she shouldn’t exist. She gripped her chest, trying to relax her breathing and slow her heartbeat.How can this be?! What’s going on with me?

“Mistress Fairborn!” called the doctor, appearing behind her. “You can’ be out and about in yer condition. You must drink some water and get rest immediately!”

“But—”

“Don’ argue with me, Mistress Fairborn! You may be a midwife, but yer na an expert on this. Let’s get you home.”

He extended his hand to her, but Briony pulled away. “You just told me I should be dead right now! Why should I trust yer judgment any more than my own?Youcertainly don’ know why this is happening.”

Dr. Sherwin huffed, unused to someone doubting his professional opinion. “Are you sure you feel fine? Na faint in the slightest?”

Briony shook her head adamantly.

The doctor pursed his lips. “Well, let me get you some water.Please.”

She was determined to deny him, but there was something about the way he said “please” that made her pause. She studied the man, trying to determine his agenda.It can’ be that he genuinely cares about me, can it?

“All right, I’ll drink some water and go home after this.”

“Good. And I’ll be by in about two hours to see how—”

“Dr. Sherwin, that’s unnecessary—”

“Mistress Fairborn, we must be cautious. We don’ know what’s causing this.”

Briony paused, considering his words. “I’ll come down to see you early morn on my way to Everton Inn.”