Because Lilias found reason to be suspicious of Neville and Rose, she could not in good faith trust Archie to his care, so she consulted her own family doctor in secret explaining to him-Dr. Gibson-why it was she who met with him and that he could not possibly see Archie in person. Neville would not take kindly to a second opinion of a treatment plan. He would be greatly offended by this course of action. Somehow, she wanted to remain on cordial terms with Neville however sinister he was beginning to appear.

Lilias explained to Dr. Gibson that Neville thought Archie's condition untreatable except through use of powerful doses of pain medication or sedatives.

"Dr. Craven should not have immediately assumed the need for such strong doses of a drug before trying the simpler (non-addictive) option first. There seems to be a rush to paranoia here." Dr. Gibson gave Lilias a confused and concerned look.

Dr. Gibson recommended care that Lilias herself would provide-an application of ice and heat applied in intervals of time to Archie's back. If this did not prove effective then resort to stronger doses of pain medication. Dr. Gibson preferred treatment plans for his patients alternative to or employing as minimal a use of strong or addictive medications as possible.

Dr. Gibson then relayed what it was Lilias needed to do herself.

Lilias returned to Misselthwaite through the side entrance so as not to draw attention to the fact that she had been some place without Neville's, Rose's, or the servants' knowledge.

She gave her ladiesmaid-Aisling-and Archie's valet-Gregory Leclair-instructions. She would need a basin of steaming water prepared, some fresh linen towels, gauze, and a bucket of ice.

Later, Rose found Lilias gliding gracefully up the stairs.

"Lilias, may I ask, where is it you are returned from?" Rose asked.

"I went for a walk out on the moor."

"Oh."

"Where are you going now?"

"Where would I be, Rose? To my husband."

"Lilias, why is it that you, the Grand Lady of Misselthwaite, insist upon nursing him? Just because you're his wife, it doesn't mean you should slave over his injured body." Rose called and shouted after her.

Aisling and Gregory took the servants' stair later and met Lilias at the entrance to Lord Craven's chambers with the articles needed.

Mrs. Medlock was seen walking across the hall then looked and turned back as she heard the doors to Lord Craven's quarters open. Her housekeeper's large set of keys jingled at her waist as she walked briskly back to inquire as to what was happening.

"Who just entered the Master's rooms? Was it Mrs. Craven?"

"Yes," Aisling answered.

"What was on that tray Mr. Leclair was carrying for you?

"A basin of steaming water, some towels, gauze bandages, and a bucket of ice, Mum."

"Is she going to tend to him?"

"Mum, don't go in there now. Leave them be. If the Missus wants to..."

"Where is Clemence?" Medlock was confused.

"The Mistress sent her packing. Mistress gave her orders that she alone as his wife was the one to undress Lord Craven."

"Hold your tongue, girl!" Medlock interjected.

"Forgive me, but I was only explaining what happened."

"Clemence was hired, because Dr. Craven has patients and appointments in the village. He can't be kept here looking after his brother day and night."

"Mrs. Medlock, you do understand that Lord Craven will not want or desire any one especially be they a stranger to see him undressed-his crooked back and all? The master feels safe and comfortable with his wife tending to him. He would not order her to, but he will not want anyone else to see him bare as that."

Medlock gave her a glare of comprehension and then trotted back down the hall keys jingling.

"Lilias..." Archie moaned.

"With your permission, my love, I'm going to remove your shirt now. All right?"

"Yes," Archie breathed in pain.

"Try not to move yet, darling." She feared it would cause him pain if he strained or tried any sudden motion-twisting or holding back his shoulders himself.

Lilias guided his linen shirt up his back and over his shoulders and head so tenderly. She knew not to twist his body-slowing moving his body to an upright position and adjusting the coverlet at his waist.

She wrapped the ice in a linen towel and gently pressed it to his back and tied it around him with the gauze to secure it there for the recommended interval.

Then, she rotated to moist heat.

She noticed Archie seemed dazed and was of a mind to inquire of Mrs. Medlock whether or not Neville gave him another strong dose of that drug.

"Aaah," Archie moaned. "I'm sorry... my love." He slurred. "I can't find a comf-ort-able position."

"Try elevating your legs a bit more. Here," She gently placed several pillows underneath his legs. "And, your knees...this way." She bent them to an angle. "Better?"

"Yes, angel."

This treatment went on for several days every few hours.

In between that time, while Archie was sleeping, Lilias would venture out into the garden to see to her climbing Roses, and the rainbow of blooms that covered the ground beyond the wall.

One day, as she was descending the stone steps, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She gasped, "hhhhhhhhhhhhh" in a high-pitched intake of breath as she turned round.

"Rose! You frightened me! You followed me here?" Lilias was surprised and disheartened that the garden was no longer a place only she and Archie could locate. She was not totally disappointed, however, for she did have the key to keep to herself and could lock the garden door behind her should she please.

"I'm sorry, Lily. Truly I am, but...What with you tending to your husband day and night, we've not gotten the chance to see or speak much to each other except at dinner in Neville's company. I wanted to speak with you concerning Albert. I was not completely open with you concerning his whereabouts. He's gone to India with his regiment. I cannot be sure when or if he'll return. Rose sighed and frowned. "What I mean is, might I intrude upon your graciousness and hospitality a bit longer? I don't want to return to Mother and Father's house so very soon. May I stay here at Misselthwaite at least until Archibald is recovered?"

Somehow, though she shouldn't have, Lilias felt sympathy for her sister.

"Of course, Rose. You may stay here."

"Oh, thank you, Sister. Thank you!" She hugged Lilias. Lilias thought maybe she was wrong and overthinking certain matters a bit. Perhaps it was stress and anxiety out of fear for husband's safety abroad which caused Rose's peculiar and particularly rude behavior at moments.

"Now. Introduce me to this paradise." Rose commanded of Lilias in a regal tone.