Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone.
A Bit of Earth
Chapter 4
Mrs. Medlock walked into the kitchen to find Martha making tea when she knew the girl had other tasks that needed tending too.
"Martha? What are you doing?" she asked harshly. Although Medlock has softened a little five years ago when she had seen Lord Craven, Master Colin and Miss Mary walk out of the garden together, she still had a household to maintain and that meant she had to act a lot tougher than she'd like at times.
Startled, Martha nearly knocked over the teacup but managed to stop it just in time. "Why Mrs. Medlock, I was just getting some tea for Miss Mary."
"What's she doing inside? She has no lessons today."
"I fear she's unwell Mrs. Medlock."
"Unwell? I've never known that girl to be sick since she's arrived. How sick is she?"
"I'm not really sure, after she came in from lunch she told me she didn't feel well, an' she has the most dreadful soundin' cough miss. I sent her to bed and I was just making some honey tea to soothe her throat."
"I suppose that's alright then," she said, her voice sounding reluctant but also tinged with concern. "I will go and check on her later, see if we will need to fetch the doctor." She then turned on her heel and walked off.
Martha watched as she walked away and shook he head a little. Despite her cold exterior Martha knew she had come to care for Mary and that her hardness towards her was nothing more than an act. She quickly finished preparing the tea and set off for the girl's room.
Martha knocked on the door and was a little surprised when there was no answer. She slowly opened the door and stepped in the room. She looked around not immediately seeing Mary and when she did spot the girl she became more concerned. Mary was asleep in her bed but she was still dressed except for the boots, coat and hat.
The young servant approached Mary and set the tea down beside the bed before removing Mary's scarf. She debated as to whether or not she should wake Mary and get her changed or just leave her be, but finally she decided to wake her so she may change and sleep more comfortably. She could also have some of the soothing tea to ease her throat.
"Miss Mary," she said softly. Mary didn't even stir. "Mary, wake up," she called a little louder and was pleased to see the girl's eyes flutter open.
"Martha?" she asked blearily.
"Come on Miss, you fell asleep in your clothes, sit up and I'll help thee dress for bed. Drink some of that tea too whilst you're awake."
Mary nodded slowly and yawned.
Once she was dressed Martha tucked Mary back into bed, fussing over her a little. "It's not like you to get sick Miss Mary, or to fall asleep dressed and in the middle of the afternoon. Mrs. Medlock will be up to check on you later too."
"Medlock?"
"Yes, Mrs. Medlock. She wants to see how sick ye are." Martha brushed Mary's bangs aside and was surprised as how warm the girl felt. "Come on now Miss, get some more sleep. I'm sure you will be back to your usual self in the mornin'."
As Mary closed her eyes Martha lingered a little longer. She could hear how strained her mistresses breathing was and lay her palm against the girls forehead once more in confirmation of what she had felt before.
Finally Martha left the room, the concern written clearly on her face.
XXX
Martha went about the rest of her duties for the afternoon but was distracted as she thought of Mary. She knew there was no use asking Mrs. Medlock to check on the girl as she'd only tell her she was busy and would do so in her own time.
As it approached the dinner hour Martha set to clean up the master's study. She opened the door without knocking expecting to the room to be empty already. She was more than a little shocked to see Master Craven sitting at his desk.
"I'm sorry Sir. I didn't expect thee to be in here. I'm sorry."
"It's alright Martha, you weren't to know," he looked at the servant girl, still standing nervously before him. "You may dust now, I'll be gone in but a moment."
As Martha began to dust Archibald watched the girl. He knew she was Dickon's elder sister. He also knew that she and Mary were rather close. Despite knowing Mary enjoyed living at Misselthwaite he thought he might like to hear someone else's thoughts on how she was doing.
"Martha?" he asked suddenly.
She stopped working and looked at her the master of the house, wondering if she'd done something wrong, "Yes sir."
"You are quite close to me niece are you not?" at her nod he continued. "How do you think she likes it here?"
"She loves it here sir, 'specially tha garden's. But the poor lass is sick in bed today."
That caught his attention. Archibald had been nodding slowly as she spoke, already knowing what she was telling him. What he didn't know was that his niece was ill.
"Mary's sick? Are you certain?"
"Yes sir. She came in from lunch coughing so I sent her to bed. She was sleepin' last I saw her."
"Thank you Martha. That will be all," he then walked quickly from the study leaving Martha to continue her cleaning, a little happier now that she knew Mary would not just be left sick in bed.
AN: Thanks for the reviews. And to those of you worried I'm going to do Mary some real damage, I'm not that mean...but then again I'm not that nice either. insert evil laugh. Hope you liked this chapter, let me know what you thought.