NOTES:

1. Thank you all for your comments. They are greatly appreciated, and truthfully, it is much easier to write when I get feedback and proof that people are actually reading what I write.

2. I greatly appreciate your patience in waiting for new chapters. I know my last two chapters were rather short, but I have, I feel, improved a bit upon chapter 7, and have, for now, removed chapter 8, so do not be alarmed that it is gone – it will return at a more appropriate point in the story's timeline. There are many reasons why it has been a while since I posted a new chapter, but I promise that I have been working on this story. It's just that the chapters that insist on being written are not necessarily the next ones in line. But that just means that there will be times when I can post several chapters in rather quick succession!


BRIGHT HORIZONS

~ CHAPTER 7 ~

18 January 1807

Dearest Frederick,

We have been in Bath nearly a month.

I feel dreadful.

And I am suffering from a cold, as well.

My fondest wish at this moment is to be anywhere in the world except in Bath—but only if I could be with you.

Lovingly yours,

Anne

Wearily, Anne let her pen fall from her fingers. Pulling on the desk, she hefted herself up from her seat, steadying herself with one hand on the back of the chair, grasping her journal in the other. Shivering slightly, she pulled her wrap tighter about her shoulders while wondering why she was so hot. She contemplated the miles from her position to the bed – surely it would take days to cross the room. With the last bit of strength in her legs, she stumbled to the bed and clawed herself to lay in the middle. She had not the will to crawl under the coverlets, so she tugged until she could wrap the top blanket around herself. Then she kicked it off. She settled for leaving her shoulders and feet uncovered. With a final surge of weak energy, she tucked her book of letters under her pillow.

Then she slept.

Lady Russell was mildly alarmed when Anne was not present the next morning. But she happily visited with Elizabeth, discussing their plans for the day, eventually inquiring after Anne.

Elizabeth snuffed. "She might be off scrubbing floors again, for all I know. There is no telling what sort of mundane activity has caught her fancy this time. Do you think the Earl and Countess of Ducheyne are going to be in Bath this season? Priscilla Lambton has heard that they might be, but no one seems to know when they will arrive. If they do come, I shall have to have some new gowns."

"I am not aware of the Ducheyne's schedule," Lady Russell informed Elizabeth curtly. "If you will excuse me, I will go check on Anne." Elizabeth did not pay her any notice, being preoccupied with the fashion plates before her.

Lady Russell made her way to Anne's room, stopping an upstairs maid along the way. "Have you heard from Miss Anne this morning?"

"No, ma'am," responded the maid with a small curtsey. "She usually is up and about before breakfast each day, but there has been no stirring from her room today. Not even a tug on the bell!"

"Thank you."

"Yes, ma'am." The maid curtsied and left.

Lady Russell knocked gently on Anne's door. "Anne? Are you awake?" She tried the doorknob when she did not hear a response. The door was unlocked, so she poked her head in. "Anne? Oh, my goodness!" Anne was sleeping fitfully, drenched in sweat. Lady Russell gasped and rushed to the bed, a touch of Anne's skin confirming that Anne had a high fever. "Do not worry, Anne dear, we will get you well soon enough." She stroked Anne's cheek and left the room.

She found Sir Walter in the drawing room, looking through the invitations and consulting his calendar. "Sir Walter," she began, startling him, "send for a doctor; Anne is quite ill."

"Ill?" asked Sir Walter, stupefied. "How could she possibly be ill?"

"I do not know how she became ill. What I do know is that she is very ill, indeed, and needs medical attention. You must send for a physician immediately. And possibly a nurse."

"A nurse?"

"Yes, a nurse. Someone to look after her while she is ill." Lady Russell pulled on her gloves. "Unless you or Elizabeth wish to sit with her…"

Sir Walter sighed. "Very well, then. But is a physician necessary? Could not an apothecary provide ample services?"

Lady Russell rolled her eyes. "Sir Walter, do what you must to provide Anne with the care that she needs. Now! That will include a man with medical training and a woman to tend to her until she is better."

"Yes, yes. Very well." Sir Walter sighed. "I will do so immediately." He called for the butler and explained what was needed. The butler bowed from the room and set staff out for the necessary arrangements. "There," he huffed, "are you satisfied?"

"Quite," Lady Russell replied as she positioned her bonnet on her head. "I shall return this afternoon to check on Anne."

"Fine, fine," Sir Walter sighed. "Perhaps you will then assist me in choosing which of these invitations I should accept. Several of them have conflicting dates."

"I shall review them upon my return," she promised, and left the house to conduct her errands.