Read Online A Season to Be Sinful by Jo Goodman - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jo Goodman
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outstretched arms. He loosened the tails of his shirt, then pulled it over his head. Starting a tear with his teeth, he rent the linen until he had four neat strips.
Harris used the material as it was handed to him to staunch the flow of blood and finally bind the wound.
You are not going to stitch it? asked Sherry.
Not now; not when the opportunity for infection is so great. This air is of the foulest sort, my lord. She will require poultices to keep it out of the wound, and they will have to be changed often. If she is to have improved odds for recovery, she cannot remain here.
Sherry did not hesitate, though it surprised him that he did not. Then we will take her to my home.
Harris shook his head. A charity bed in one of the surgeries will suit. The sisters at St. Lukes are admirably tolerant of all Gods creatures.
That arrangement will not suit me. For Sherry it was the end of the argument.
The physician realized it also. Very well. Then we must apply ourselves to the problem of how to move her.
Can she survive it now?
Harriss regard of the room revealed his distaste. Littered as it was with the discarded blankets and revealing impoverishment in its singular lack of amenities, there was nothing to recommend it as a place of healing. Still, moving her too soon would no doubt kill her quicker.
Sherry had no difficulty reading his physicians thoughts. Another day here, perhaps? he asked.
Yes. The response was reluctantly given. If she survives the next twenty-four hours, I will judge she can be moved.
The matter of her care until then was Sherrys gravest concern. You will take the hack and return to my home. Apply to my housekeeper for clean bedclothes, bandages, and whatever else you think is needed for your patients comfort. Kearns will pack a valise for me. Direct the driver to unload the carriage as my departure to Granville will be delayed. I want brooms and scrubbing brushes. Lye would not come amiss. Combs also. As many as it will take to remove the nits from her hair. He looked significantly at the boys. And theirs. To Rutland, he said, There is someone nearby who will clean for hire?
Aye. The Widow Meeder could use the coin. Her daughter will help.
Then I trust you will see to their employment. When Rutland did not move, Sherry added, Now.
Blue Rutland picked up the valuable cask of brandy and secured it under his arm. What about my customers? I cant keep them away all evening, not even for Miss Rose. More talk if I tried.
I agree. Open your establishment. Do you let out the rooms up here?
Rutland nodded. Theres some trade, if you take my meaning.
I do. He calculated quickly what it would cost him to keep peace abovestairs. Ill take all your rooms for the night. Seven pounds?
Nine.
Sherry did not haggle. Seven, he said.
Rutland gauged his opponents resolve. Seven it is.
Good. He raised one dark eyebrow. Widow Meeder and her daughter?
Right away, mlord. Turning sharply on his heel, he hurried out of the room. The bargain he struck with Lord Sheridan would net him a profit of five pounds on the rooms. Miss Rose, bless her, was still earning her keep.
You paid him twice what he would have gotten for letting the rooms, Harris told Sherry.
Shrugging, Sherry said, I shouldnt be surprised if it were three times that. Worth all of it, I think, for the peace it will afford. Which boy will you want to take back with you?
What? Harris looked up from winding the bandage. Youre truly not going?
One of us should stay behind. I believe you would prefer to go.
For the sake of good form and honoring his profession, Harris considered mounting an argument. Then he remembered the rough trade that would be returning to their tankards, the smuggled brandy, and the three young pickpockets hovering nearby, and decided he possessed insufficient resolve to make a convincing protest. Id prefer we both go, he said at last, but since you are determined to stay, I suppose the one called Pinch will do well enough as an
Harris used the material as it was handed to him to staunch the flow of blood and finally bind the wound.
You are not going to stitch it? asked Sherry.
Not now; not when the opportunity for infection is so great. This air is of the foulest sort, my lord. She will require poultices to keep it out of the wound, and they will have to be changed often. If she is to have improved odds for recovery, she cannot remain here.
Sherry did not hesitate, though it surprised him that he did not. Then we will take her to my home.
Harris shook his head. A charity bed in one of the surgeries will suit. The sisters at St. Lukes are admirably tolerant of all Gods creatures.
That arrangement will not suit me. For Sherry it was the end of the argument.
The physician realized it also. Very well. Then we must apply ourselves to the problem of how to move her.
Can she survive it now?
Harriss regard of the room revealed his distaste. Littered as it was with the discarded blankets and revealing impoverishment in its singular lack of amenities, there was nothing to recommend it as a place of healing. Still, moving her too soon would no doubt kill her quicker.
Sherry had no difficulty reading his physicians thoughts. Another day here, perhaps? he asked.
Yes. The response was reluctantly given. If she survives the next twenty-four hours, I will judge she can be moved.
The matter of her care until then was Sherrys gravest concern. You will take the hack and return to my home. Apply to my housekeeper for clean bedclothes, bandages, and whatever else you think is needed for your patients comfort. Kearns will pack a valise for me. Direct the driver to unload the carriage as my departure to Granville will be delayed. I want brooms and scrubbing brushes. Lye would not come amiss. Combs also. As many as it will take to remove the nits from her hair. He looked significantly at the boys. And theirs. To Rutland, he said, There is someone nearby who will clean for hire?
Aye. The Widow Meeder could use the coin. Her daughter will help.
Then I trust you will see to their employment. When Rutland did not move, Sherry added, Now.
Blue Rutland picked up the valuable cask of brandy and secured it under his arm. What about my customers? I cant keep them away all evening, not even for Miss Rose. More talk if I tried.
I agree. Open your establishment. Do you let out the rooms up here?
Rutland nodded. Theres some trade, if you take my meaning.
I do. He calculated quickly what it would cost him to keep peace abovestairs. Ill take all your rooms for the night. Seven pounds?
Nine.
Sherry did not haggle. Seven, he said.
Rutland gauged his opponents resolve. Seven it is.
Good. He raised one dark eyebrow. Widow Meeder and her daughter?
Right away, mlord. Turning sharply on his heel, he hurried out of the room. The bargain he struck with Lord Sheridan would net him a profit of five pounds on the rooms. Miss Rose, bless her, was still earning her keep.
You paid him twice what he would have gotten for letting the rooms, Harris told Sherry.
Shrugging, Sherry said, I shouldnt be surprised if it were three times that. Worth all of it, I think, for the peace it will afford. Which boy will you want to take back with you?
What? Harris looked up from winding the bandage. Youre truly not going?
One of us should stay behind. I believe you would prefer to go.
For the sake of good form and honoring his profession, Harris considered mounting an argument. Then he remembered the rough trade that would be returning to their tankards, the smuggled brandy, and the three young pickpockets hovering nearby, and decided he possessed insufficient resolve to make a convincing protest. Id prefer we both go, he said at last, but since you are determined to stay, I suppose the one called Pinch will do well enough as an
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