A Highland Duchess by Karen Ranney

Author:Karen Ranney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2010-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Emma turned to Juliana, who had accompanied her from the carriage.

“I’ll wait here, madam,” Juliana said, sinking down on a bench in the foyer.

Emma didn’t argue with her but followed Mrs. Jenkins and the two men carrying Bryce.

Lochlaven smelled clean and fresh, as if the breeze from the lake blew away any scents. She disliked large houses, knowing there were unopened rooms, not often visited, where secrets sat waiting to be revealed. Or perhaps that had only been Chavensworth.

“The architect Sir William Bruce began the house in 1686, for the second Earl of Buchane. The second earl was instrumental in restoring Charles II to the throne,” Mrs. Jenkins said as they continued down the corridor.

“I see,” Emma said, feeling that some acknowledgment, if not fawning, was in order as Mrs. Jenkins spoke of the house.

“Lochlaven has only been moderately restored, for the convenience of the family, of course. We’ve added a small gatehouse to the rear of the property for a boiler. There is hot water available in all the bathing chambers,” she said proudly. “However, we are too remote for some conveniences.” She glanced at Emma. “We do not have gas lighting but I doubt you’ll notice the difference. Our maids are very industrious in cleaning the oil lamps and trimming the wicks.”

“I’m sure,” Emma said, wondering what she was expected to say. She’d never been involved in the day-to-day operation of Chavensworth, and her uncle had taken over her home in London. Prior to that, she’d been a young girl living in her father’s household.

“His Lordship does not like the ringing of bells,” the housekeeper continued. “Therefore, you shall have to judge your own lateness by the clock in your chamber. We do not, of course, have a clock in the sickroom.”

“You have a chamber set aside as a sickroom?” Emma asked, surprised. Normally, when a family member became ill, his bedroom was stripped and prepared for the duration of the illness.

“A modification of His Lordship’s,” the housekeeper said, halting before a long table in a wide hallway. “If anyone at Lochlaven becomes ill, he is sent here immediately and treated by Dr. Carrick, if he’s available. If not, the earl has had several girls trained in London to care for the ill.” She turned to Emma. “I do not want you to think that we have a great deal of illness at Lochlaven, for such is not the case. We are probably one of the healthiest places in all of Scotland because of the earl’s measures.”

“Then I am most fortunate to have come,” Emma said. “I’m afraid Bryce is very ill.”

Mrs. Jenkins looked as if she would say something, then restrained herself. She merely pursed her lips and moved to the table. On it was a pitcher of water, a basin, and a clear glass jar containing a bluish liquid.

“One of the measures the earl has instituted,” she said. “You must not enter the sickroom until you’ve washed your hands in this solution.”

“What is it?”

Mrs.

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