Page 54 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

The doctor rolled his eyes. “I’ll come toyouat about ten o’clock to check on you.”

“But I need to walk with Mr. Mendes—”

“That is out o’ the question. You can’ risk getting anyone else sick if what you have can be spread. Besides, morn is Johnsmas, so I’m sure Mr. Mendes will wish to see the festivities. He’ll get plenty o’ time to walk then. You need to stay home.”

Briony put her hands on her hips. “Na attend Johnsmas?! How can you suggest something like that? I feel fine! What if yer device is broken and there’s nothing wrong with me?”

He scrutinized her with hard eyes.

He’s wrong. He has to be. It must be the machine. My temperature can’ be that high. Na so high I should be…dead.

After a moment, Dr. Sherwin sighed in resignation, seeming to realize he was no match for Briony’s stubbornness.

“I’ll come to you at about ten o’clock. If all is well, then you may resume yer normal activities and do as you wish.Including attend the Johnsmas celebration.”

“Thank you,” Briony said, her voice full of sincerity.

The doctor spluttered a bit before catching himself. “Well, get going, then. I’ve plenty o’ other things to do before Johnsmas arrives.”

Intentions

Dr. Sherwin came just as he’d said, right at ten o’clock. Briony was eager for him to arrive and finish so she could go down to Everton Inn. She fidgeted as the man sat in the chair opposite hers.

“How do you feel this morneen?” His eyes were full of that same emotion from yesterday, the one that looked far too much like concern.

“I feel great. I’m ready to get started fer the day, and I’m sure Adaira will need my help, so if you could just hurry along with—”

“Mistress Fairborn, stop,” Dr. Sherwin cut her off as he checked her pulse. After a minute, he nodded to himself. Then he pulled out that bizarre instrument from earlier and stuck it under Briony’s arm.

Briony wanted to snarl at him, but that might make the visit take longer, so she kept her mouth shut.

Five excruciatingly long minutes passed, and the doctor looked at the results from the tube. His face suddenly relaxed, and he said, “Ah, much better. You appear to be back to normal.”

“But, Doctor, that instrument must have been having issu—” She closed her mouth again.

“What was that?”

Briony shook her head and said nothing.I can’ risk him forcing me to stay home.

“Well, in that case, feel free to go down and see Mistress Stubbins. I won’ stand fer any shortage o’ pie tonight, so you best do whatever she tells you, you hear?”

“Aye, Doctor!” She grinned.

Dr. Sherwin rose slowly from his seat. “Excellent. I’ll see you tonight, then.” He turned to leave.

“Hey, Doctor?”

“What is it?”

Briony pointed at him with a wicked smirk. “Best na let the others see you smiling. ’Twill ruin yer reputation.”

There truly was a smile on the man’s face, but as soon as he heard Briony’s words, he hurried out the door.

Briony chuckled at the man’s brusque departure before turning pensive. She glanced at the place where her mother’s bed used to sit.I may na be as alone as I thought, Mum.

With that thought in mind, Briony checked her hair and put on her headscarf before she, too, dashed outside.

*