Meredith hummed a lullaby. She knew the child did not really require one at this moment, for she was already fast asleep. So perhaps Meredith was humming it for herself. She stood up to stretch her legs and almost tripped over the stack of remedy books that had been hastily dusted off and circulated amongst the household in light of the illness’ rapid spread.
And as awful and greatly distressing as their current plight was, something else was weighing just as heavily on Meredith’s mind. She had been deeply affected by Anthony’s manner with her, which had become increasingly terse and distant as more people had fallen ill. And the instant it was discovered that Cecilia herself was vomiting and shivering, Anthony had basically reverted to how he had treated her in the beginning.
It’s as though he has retreated into a half-smiling, unnaturally polite, aristocratic outer shell of a person.
Meredith tried to not let this hurt her. She knew he was probably trying to mask his inner turmoil and anxiety as he fought to keep things afloat.
But I do wish he would allow me to be at his side rather than shut me out.
* * *
After a light lunch, Anthony dropped by the kitchen to check on Mr. Tulk.
“I have brought back my own tray and dishes, Mr. Tulk. It’s really the least I can do. By any chance, do you need anything at all?”
“No, no, Your Grace. Thank you very much for your kindness. I have made a simple soup for Lady Cecilia and will head upstairs in a few minutes.”
“You really are a gift to this household, Mr. Tulk. Bless you. Would you happen to know where the apples are kept? I am suddenly craving one.”
Setting down his ladle, Mr. Tulk cried, “Please allow me, Your Grace. I’m quite adept at choosing the sweetest apples.”
* * *
“Any change, Meredith?” Anthony asked as she gently closed the bedroom door behind her.
“Nothing so far, Anthony. She has been drifting in and out of sleep, but I suppose we shall be out of the woods, as they say, quite soon. What about you? You seem as though something is on your mind.”
Anthony raised his eyebrow.
“Yes, well, of course something is on my mind; quite a few things, actually. I’m not sure if you have noticed, but we are in the midst of a crisis.”
He regretted the words as soon as they had left his mouth. But unfortunately, words being intangible, invisible objects, it is quite impossible to grab them and force back into one’s mouth. The damage they accomplish, however, is very visible, indeed.
Meredith recoiled in shock and narrowed her eyes.
“There is no need for such sarcastic comments. My question was sincere and heartfelt, but I suppose you wouldn’t know anything about having a heart, would you?”
Anthony took a step backward.
I don’t like the direction in which this conversation is heading.
Nor was he particularly pleased with Meredith’s own sarcastic remark.
“Meredith, may I ask what you are trying to imply?”
She wasn’t looking him in the eye at this point. Instead, her gaze was fixed on some distant point next to his head.
“Anthony, I know you are on edge about this situation. However, is it really too much trouble for you to come and sit with your ill sister for a few minutes?”
“The child is frightened and sick—has been for two days now—and she is only asking for a moment of your time, yet you refuse her. Lords Farellshire, Gillinghamshire, and I have all been offering our help for weeks now, we want to help you get through this.”
“Instead, you deny our offers and say you shall take care of it by yourself. But why? Is it because of your pride or ego? Or are you simply being stubborn?”
Caught off-guard by Meredith’s stabbing words, Anthony returned, “Oh, I see. And you know a thing or two about letting people help you, do you? Allowmeto remindyouhow when you yourself came down with the sickness, you refused to see or speak to Cecilia and me. Indeed, I am not the only one here who has denied the help extended towards me.”
“And how dare you comment on how I should or should not treat my own sister. I suppose you are also familiar with what it’s like to be the eldest son of a household and the obligations that come with it? Of course not. And I can tell you why you don’t understand it, it’s because we are from completely different worlds, Meredith.”
“Maybe Fletcher was right all along. Maybe I should have focused on carrying out my duties the ninety days instead of wasting time prancing around and daydreaming with you.”
