The Queen's Necklace Read Online Free PDF Page B

experienced a sharp twinge of apprehension. If she had somehow mistaken her man, if she allowed herself to be led into compromising circumstances—
    Yet if he meant to test her courage and resolution, she must not fail. “I will do as you say.” And with visions of rape and worse things besides dancing in her head, she followed him across the room, through a narrow doorway, and up another rickety flight of steps. The only light filtered in through a cracked and dingy window near the top of the stairwell.
    She kept her head down as she climbed, in case they met anyone on the stairs. Perhaps that was why she scarcely noticed how her escort labored—until he stumbled on the top step and caught at the newel post to keep himself from falling. Then she glanced up and saw how he clutched one hand to his side under the slate-colored coat.
    â€œAre you injured? I have been trained as a healer, sir, and if you have hurt yourself—”
    â€œThere is no injury.” The man unbent with an obvious effort. “The pains have been with me since early morning, though not so severe.I begin to fear, Mrs. Blackheart, that someone has poisoned me.”
    Lili felt her heart skip a beat. “Let me help you to your room. Please don’t hesitate to lean on me; I am stronger than you might think.”
    As he took her arm, she felt the heat of his skin through the sleeve of her gown. “Not poison, I think. You are burning with fever. With your permission, I’d like to examine you.”
    The old gentleman nodded weakly. He stopped outside a battered door and produced a large brass key, which Lili slipped into the lock. Still half-supporting him, she guided him into the dim bedchamber on the other side, helped him to lower himself to the sagging bed. Then she ran back down to the taproom to speak with Allora.
    â€œHe is fearfully ill, Aunt. We’ll need a basin of water—of clean water, if you can get it. Also, candles, cloths, paper, pen and ink, and the little basket of simples I left in the coach.” Before Allora had time to answer, Lili was climbing the stairs.
    She found her patient sitting on the side of his rusty iron bed, glassy-eyed and panting, as though the pain had increased. She helped him to remove his hat, his coat, his blunt-toed shoes, then urged him to lie back. The bed was damp and smelled musty, but there was no help for that; she doubted there was a warming pan or a pair of clean sheets in the house.
    When Allora arrived with the things she had asked for, Lili lit a candle and placed it on a stand by the bed. She reached down into her basket and pulled out a six-inch globe of clear glass, filled with a pale, viscous fluid. This she placed on a silver tripod in front of the candle to reflect and diffuse the light. Only then did she turn toward her patient.
    Lili began her examination by carefully studying the old gentleman’s hands. The nails were a dull leaden color, which she knew fora very bad sign. When she took his wrist between her fingers and thumb, his pulse was slight and irregular.
    â€œSir, have you been—I’m afraid I don’t know your name.”
    â€œHe is Sir Bastian Josslyn-Mather, my old friend,” Allora offered, over Lili’s shoulder.
    â€œSir Bastian, then. Have you been out of the country?” She unfastened the nickel-plated buttons of his waistcoat, ran a practiced hand over his upper abdomen.
    â€œI was in Château-Rouge three weeks ago.”
    â€œIn Château-Rouge, and so recently! I’ve heard the Black Bile Fever runs epidemic in the seaside towns there.” As she had feared, the area just below his ribs was hard and swollen. “However, I know very well how the Fever is treated. I promise you, sir, I will do all I can.”
    â€œI am aware the disease is often fatal—and highly contagious,” he whispered hoarsely. “You must not take this risk on my account. I implore you to send for a