Ravenwood(14)

“I might be able to mend this or we can have it sent out if you like.”

Elinore nodded dumbly as Mrs. Davenport then helped her into the dressing robe, cinching the belt tightly for her. There was a sharp, perfunctory knock at the door and the sound startled Elinore, making her shiver.

“That’ll be one of the maids. I’ll send for some clothing and some hot tea. Maybe a bite to eat?”

“No, thank you. Just the tea, Mrs. Davenport,” Elinore managed to say, clutching the gown close. She sagged against the bed, not having the energy to push herself onto it. She heard Mrs. Davenport speaking to someone at the door and then she was back a moment later, pushing the sleeve of the robe back and exposing the bite marks again.

“How long ago were you bitten, dear?”

Elinore frowned. “Oh, I don’t know. The night is quite a blur.”

Mrs. Davenport made a low ‘hmmm’ sound. “Would you say an hour? Two?”

Elinore couldn’t see why it mattered, but she had good enough upbringing to give the question some thought and a truthful answer. “Perhaps a little more than an hour. Less than two, I should think.”

The housekeeper touched the area around one of the puncture marks and Elinore flinched with pain. She rotated Elinore’s arm, checking the underside and then pushed the sleeve of the robe up higher, feeling along the length of Elinore’s arm. A horrible thought wormed its way into Elinore’s mind as she watched the careful examination.

“Do you fear infection or… madness?” Elinore knew of such animal bites and couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it sooner. She’d been attacked by some kind of animal in the woods. Of course Caleb and Mrs. Davenport were concerned - they likely feared she’d been infected and would go mad.

Mrs. Davenport smiled again - her features were sharp and brittle. She patted Elinore’s hand. “Not to worry, my dear. We’ve not had trouble of rabid animals around Ravenwood in many years.”

“Is that why the men were out hunting so late at night?” Elinore asked, wondering if the local populace had taken it upon themselves to keep the area free of vermin and infected animals.

“Just so.” Mrs. Davenport smoothed her hands over her dress. “I’ll have one of the maids come in and start a fire. Why don’t you have a seat over by the fireplace so you can warm up when she does. I’ll be back with something for you to sleep in and something for your arm.”

Elinore nodded tightly and pushed herself to her feet, taking the few steps to the large chair by the fireplace. She sunk down into the chair, clutching the robe around her more tightly as Mrs. Davenport left the room. True to the housekeeper’s words, not minutes later, a young maid came in and gave Elinore a quick curtsey. Elinore managed another curt nod and the girl made quick work of lighting the fire in the already prepared hearth. She looked so young - her face pale and open. She curtseyed again on her way out and Elinore murmured some thanks. Watching the maid leave, Elinore wondered if people saw her the way she saw the maid - painfully young.

The warmth of the fire spread blissfully over her and Elinore shivered, feeling like with each tremor the cold was escaping her body - or perhaps being pursued out, chased away by the heat. She pulled the sleeve of the robe gingerly away from her arm, staring down at the bite again in the firelight. Mrs. Davenport had said not to worry, however that was all Elinore could do. She knew hardly anything about the madness caused from animal bites except for hushed words and half-heard conversations. Such things were not discussed in the presence of young ladies of her station. However, there were allusions to animal madness in the books she and Charlotte snuck into their houses and read - horrific tales of men and women gone insane - turned feral by the bite of a sick creature. Would that be Elinore’s fate?

Mrs. Davenport came back into the room in a burst of energy, carrying a small tray and a nightgown draped over one of her arms.

Just as quickly and efficiently as she had gotten Elinore out of her ruined gown and into the dressing robe, Mrs. Davenport put Elinore into the nightgown. The nightgown was worn and soft against Elinore’s skin - likely someone’s favorite sleeping gown judging from the smooth feel of the cotton. The housekeeper bade Elinore sit back down in the chair and then pulled up the ottoman for herself, setting her tray down on a small stand next to the fire. She handed Elinore the empty tea cup from the tray and then poured a liberal helping of tea.

“There’s a little something in there to soothe your nerves after a night like tonight,” she said when Elinore sniffed the tea lightly. “A nip of brandy to help you sleep.”

The liquor mixed well with the tea blend - something sweetly spicy and dark, like nothing she’d ever tasted before. It burned slightly on the way down, but it was a warm, comforting feeling as it settled into her stomach. Elinore eyed the rest of the tray carefully. She saw several vials and jars - none of which looked familiar. Having only recently assisted in nursing both her parents while ill, Elinore had become well-acquainted with the medicines and implements of doctors and she recognized nothing on Mrs. Davenport’s tray. Mrs. Davenport chatted aimlessly as she started mixing together some of the ingredients from various containers. She was sure Elinore would sleep like a log tonight. She was sure all of Elinore’s things would be brought to the manor as soon as they could be retrieved from the carriage. She was so sorry to hear of Elinore’s parents. It was so lovely to have another lady in the house, she was sure Elinore would be happy at Ravenwood. She was sure of a lot of things.