“No, no. The cold repast we had last night did not agree with me. It tasted all right going down.”
“But not so good on the return journey. I understand, Your Grace. If you can bide here for a moment, I’ll make all fresh and tidy for you.”
Celeste decided to ring for Betty and Miss Sedgewick, rather than have one of the men servants in Her Grace’s quarters. The three women made short work of the cleanup. Neither of them said anything other than simple directions to each other as they mopped, changed linens, and even rolled up and removed the woolen carpet.
Outside, in the hall, Betty commented, “Never knew anyone could hold so much inside.”
“Better out than in when you aren’t well,” Miss Sedgewick said. “I’ll ask Cook to brew a posset.”
“Best make it cider instead of wine,” Celeste said. “She’ll be that unsteady from the food loss.”
“Maybe best to make up some barley water,” Miss Sedgewick added. “It is a little better on a tender stomach.”
“I’ll see to it,” Betty assured them. “I’ll be back up with it directly.”
“And I’ll take these things down to the night laundress,” Miss Sedgewick added. “No reason to have them lying about, stinking. Although I’m not sure there will be any reclaiming that gown.”
Celeste sighed. It was likely that Martha was right, and the Duchess would not like it. The gown was a favorite one, especially just now when it seemed so many of her clothes were not fitting well.
“Please send up the pot boy with some hot water and cold, if you could, Martha. I think Her Grace would be the better for a tepid bath.”
Martha readily assented.
With the domestic arrangements made, Celeste returned to the Duchess.
“How are you feeling, Your Grace?”
“Shaky,” the Duchess replied. “Once I started spewing it didn’t seem as if I could stop. Will I have a bed soon?”
“We’ve already did that, Your Grace. And I’ve taken the liberty of having the pot boy bring up some water so you can have a tepid bath before you get into bed.”
“Oh, dear. I can’t be sitting here in my chemise while he brings water.”
“Of course not, Your Grace. I’ll get you into your bathing robe, and you can wear your dressing gown until the bath is ready. I have the chamber pot all clean and nice so if you are taken with the urge again it will be at hand.”
“Thank you, Celeste. I am sorry I ever doubted your skills.”
“Perhaps you never needed these skills before, Your Grace. Should someone should mention to the cook that perhaps some fruit and a bit of cheese would sit better for you than heavy sliced meats?”
Soon the potboy brought up the water. When he was gone, Celeste assisted the Duchess with a quick bath.
Martha followed shortly with the barley tisane. Between them they coaxed the Duchess to drink a little of it and then settled her in bed.
“Will you need anything else, Your Grace?”
“No, no. I am feeling better. Leave the barley water beside the bed. It tasted good and I believe it is going to stay put.”
“Very well, Your Grace. Ring if you need me.”
Celeste prepared to leave the room, but as she turned to go, Warner entered.
Celeste paused at the door. She heard Warner say, “I heard you were ill, so I came right away.”
“On behalf of my husband?”
“Of course. Why else would I be in a lady’s chamber?
“Why else indeed?”
