I don't really know where this story is going but I had a day off today and I've been thinking about writing something like this for a while so this seemed a good way to pass some time :D Plus who couldn't resist a vulnerable and needy James Dowland ;) Hope you like it :)
Dorcas knelt down close to James and spoke softly to him. "I need to give you a bath now", she told him gently "are you going to be alright with that? we'll do it in private in my bedroom, I'll make sure nobody comes in" James could not meet her eyes but he nodded slowly. "Ok, everything's going to be alright", Dorcas said, kissing him reassuringly on the cheek. He still did not meet her gaze and Dorcas stared at him with pity in her eyes. She could see how embarrassed he was about the prospect of her giving him a bath but there was no other way around it. He was in no fit state to do it himself and he needed one. Truth be told Dorcas was a little unsure about it as well but she couldn't let James see that, she needed to be strong for him and be reassuring towards him, it was much more embarrassing for him after all. It was not really proper for a lady to strip and bathe a fully grown man like James who she did not know intimately but in this case it really was necessary. She supposed that she could have gotten Thomas to bathe him, perhaps even called Robert over from Lark Rise or Queenie, she had bought him up after all and would be more used to it. However, it was really too late for that now and with the possible exception of Queenie, Dorcas thought that in the long run James would be more comfortable with her than anyone else. He did seem to feel safe with her and she thought that once he got over his embarrassment, it would actually be a comfort for him.
Looking around her she noticed that Sydney, Minnie and Laura were still in the room, listening and watching the two of them quietly. James didn't really need an audience right now and it wasn't doing Sydney any good to see his father like this. Leaving James's side for a moment she went over and spoke quietly to the three of them. "Minnie could you please go and run a bath for Mr Dowland in my bedroom and Laura could you take Sydney into the other room and find something to entertain yourselves with for a while?" Laura and Minnie nodded and Dorcas thanked them and briefly hugged Sydney. The young boy looked very worried about his father. The three of them then left the room. Dorcas went back over and knelt down quietly next to James's chair again. She was going to have to find out how he had gotten into this state but now was not the time to ask. He did not say anything but his hand was lying on his knee so Dorcas reached out and placed her own hand gently on top of it. She fought back the urge to put her arms around him and hold him close.
Only a short chapter, hope you enjoyed it, please review :) I'm going to continue with it anyway so you might as well lol =D