The English Lily (Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll) Read Online Free PDF Page A

she whispered, eyes closed.
    “ Mais certainment, ” he promised. Joseph smoothed out the wrinkled communiqué. A tingling sensation raised the hair on his neck, but he would do as she requested. “Anyone disloyal or who tries to harm you shall suffer. Only true love shall break this curse.”
    A smile touched her lips. “Thank you,” she whispered. Those were her last words before she dropped into a fitful sleep.
    The door burst back and her maid stood there panting, gaping at him. “My lord, what are you doing here? This is most inappropriate!”
    “Your mistress has taken a chill. I saw to her comfort, as you were nowhere about.”
    Two bright spots of red appeared on her cheeks.
    “Never mind. I plan on marrying her, regardless.”
    She swallowed and gave him an owl-eyed stare. “Have you mentioned as much to Lady Kendra?”
    “We touched on the subject, briefly,” he said. He decided to steer the conversation in a different direction and held out the note. “Have you perchance seen this before?”
    “I—” She stopped.
    “Have no fear, s’il vous plaît ,” he said gently. “She gave it to me to read.”
    “Yes, my lord,” she said carefully. “I would see her studying it, though she would hide it when I came near.”
    Joseph looked at the note. “Why is that, do you suppose?” he said more to himself.
    “I don’t know, but there is something odd in the way she looks at it.”
    He glanced up at her. “Have you read it?”
    “Oh, no, sir. I never learnt to read. I’m only a lady’s maid.”
    Joseph pocketed the note. “Where did it come from?”
    “I believe ’twas packaged with the doll, sir.”
    “The doll?”
    She pointed toward the table. Funny, he hadn’t even noticed it in the chair before. Its skirts were whimsical bright-colored fabrics resembling the garb of a gypsy dancer. She wore a bright orange sash, and a small pocket on a frayed vest. Strands of gold chains with coins hung about her neck. He smiled at the tiny gold bangles that wrapped her ankles and wrists.
    “Where did she come from?” Joseph stood and moved to the table.
    “I believe ’twas a gift from Lady Esmeralda.”
    “Indeed?” He poked his finger into the tiny pocket. No doubt that’s where the missive had been stashed. “She is quite old, non ?”
    “I wouldn’t know, my lord.”
    “No! No, please, I-I’m trying. I promise. I’m trying,” Lady Kendra cried out. She sat straight up in the small bed, eyes blank, terror written in every line of her face.
    “What the hell!” Joseph rushed back to the bedside. “Kendra.” He took her by the arms. Her face was flushed, and he laid his fingers across her forehead. “She’s burning up. Fetch water. Vite! Vite! ”
    Her maid dashed from the room.
    “Kendra, listen to me.”
    She shook her head, wildly, trying to shake him off. “Please, don’t! I promise,” she sobbed. “I’m trying. I’m trying! ” Her voice rose to a hysterical level. She rubbed her hands together, over and over, as tears ran down her cheeks.
    Joseph started to panic. He had no idea what to do. Her skin was so hot to the touch.
    “Here, my lord.” The maid returned with a pitcher of cool water.
    “Dampen a cloth. Hurry.” Joseph tried to ease Kendra back, but she refused. Her delirious state gave her unexpected strength for someone of such petite stature. He mumbled incoherent words, trying to soothe her.
    “Sir.”
    He snatched the wet cloth from the maid and smoothed it over Kendra’s brow. “ L’eau. Bring the water, s’il vous plaît. ” It took several long moments before she lay back without a struggle. The cool water seemed to help, so he didn’t stop.
    “What is your name?” He directed his question to the maid, though his ministrations remained on Kendra.
    “Louisa, sir.”
    “Does she have nightmares like that often?”
    “It hasn’t happened for some time. I expect the fever brought it on after this long.”
    “What is she afraid of?”
    “I