True Love

Reith Cottage

Ross sat beside Demelza bed all night; he could help but think the last two months were his fault entirely. Demelza woke with a start and went to stand when Ross grabbed her and told her to stay put. He told her Dwight, thought it would be better she stays in bed today. Demelza told him, "That is not likely I have much to do today." Ross said, "like what, what would be more important than your health?" "My brothers she responded! Please leave me up, I have personal business I must attend. He helped he up and she went across the hall to the water closet. Ross waited outside in case she fainted again. He heard the water and assumed she was heating it for a wash. She relieved herself and put water down wash it to the cave. Then She washed herself after washing she went out the door with just her robe on, carrying her night rail. Ross seeing the night rail knew she didn't have anything on under that robe.  He put his arm around her waist and drew her closer. "Demelza please can't we forget the unpleasantness and begin again."  She looked at Ross and said, "I don't know can we Ross?"  He looked into her eyes and said, "Tell me what you feel for me?" Demelza said "I feel nothing Ross," "It is not nothing I want you to feel!" She pulled away, leaving Ross bewildered on how he would get her to forgive him.
Demelza got dressed in work clothes and went down to get breakfast ready. Her brothers came down together except for Sam who came in shortly thereafter. Joshoa asked what everyone's plans were. Sam said working on Reith Cottage, Bobby said he would help Sam as well as James. Willie and Drake were sent with Jim to show them how to take care of feeding the animals. Joshoa said, "Bobby I was going to take a ride to Falmouth this morning to speak to my partners at the shipyards. Bobby was more then delighted to see if he could become and apprentice to a ship builder. He asked Bobby if he ever rode a horse and Bobby shook his head," I have not." Joshua said, "No mind, we will take he buck board." Demelza said "I will be going to Reith after I do the washing" Joshua said, "Ross that reminds me will contact Edna Daniels to see if she would be willing to come and work for us?" Ross nodded, then after I will be going to Reith to help and to make sure Demelza does not overdo it. Demelza huffed and Ross smirked.
Demelza did the laundry washing as much as she could so the boys could change clothes; she would have to wash and dry the clothes in the kitchen since it looked like rain. After she did the wash, she swept and dusted the rooms and then told Jenny she was going to Reith even though it wasn't that far from the main house she decided to take the horse. It took a lot of energy to mount the horse even using the mounting block, but it would be better then walking. Reaching the cottage, she noticed that her brothers had made substantial start. So Demelza set forth to sweeping and scrubbing. Demelza was finding it hard to breath. Ross and Dwight showed up and made their way to Demelza. Dwight noticed that Demelza was wheezing a little. He asked Demelza if he could check her, and she declined stating she had too much to do. By the end of the afternoon, it was deemed that Sam and James could move in by the end of the day. Demelza said she must be getting home so she could help with dinner, she had prepared a roast with carrots and potatoes, but she wanted to make a couple of pies. When she went to mount the horse, she bent over she felt a stab in her chest. Dwight noticed it as did Ross. Demelza put her hand up and said I just pulled a muscle. Ross came over and picked her up and set her down on the horse. The three of them rode back to Nampara. Once there Demelza got off the horse and went into the kitchen asking Jenny if she could get enough apples to make three pies.
She went to wash her face and hands and to fix her hair. "Ross," Dwight said, "I am concerned she is wheezing, and she may have punctured her lung. We need to keep a close eye on her. Demelza made the pie dough, peeled the apples, and set the pies to bake. She got cold cream out and started to whip it but realized she couldn't keep the speed up so set it to chill in the ice box.  Going to the parlor she saw Dwight and Ross she asked. "Dwight, you will dine with us tonight?" Dwight nodded wanting to keep an eye on Demelza. Demelza went in and set the table. Once it was set, she called her brothers and the men to eat along with Jenny. They all sat, and Sam again led his brothers in prayers. Once that was done Ross spoke "Jenny, Edna Daniels will be coming in tomorrow to help with the housework. Demelza is still not fully recovered but feels she must assist with her brother's care. Also Varity will be arriving in the next couple of days and she will be assisting you planning your birthday and my soiree' in the months' time. Jenny was certain that her and Edna could work amicably together so she wasn't at all worried. They finished then Demelza and Jenny brought in the pies. Drake said, my belly has never felt so good." After dinner Jenny told Demelza that Jim will help with the cleaning up miss go lie down Mistress. I think I will go to bed now. Dwight and Ross watched Demelza enter the water closet. When she came out, she had a pitcher of water. "Dwight said excuse me Ross I want to see if she will allow me to examine her now?" Ross nodded, worried that something more may be wrong with Demelza.
Demelza heard a knock at the door, when she opened it, she saw it was Dwight. Dwight said "Demelza I must insist that I examine your ribs, you seem to be having a harder time breathing.  Demelza assented. "Demelza, I think your rib may have punctured your lung. This could have happened on the carriage ride, or you are pushing yourself to do too much. I must wrap your ribs, and you must take it easy no lifting anything heavy, no bending and picking things up, do you understand?" Demelza again nodded the affirmative. Dwight went down to the Parlor where the boys were playing, Sam and Ross were talking. Demelza finished getting ready for bed and crawl under the covers.
Once Dwight reached the parlor Ross said "well?" "I fear she has punctured a lung with a rib. I wrapped them and she must stay abed for at least two days. Ross nodded and Sam said, "was this from the beating?" Dwight said the ribs broke from the beating, but I fear it was the trip in the coach and her pushing herself. Ross said, "tomorrow she will no longer need to work herself to death we have employed more help." Dwight nodded "that most definitely help." Sam can you and James get the younger ones cleaned for bed,, Joshua asked? Jenny came in, "Mistress washed their clothes and hang them in the kitchen since they needed wash and they had no extra to change into?" Sam said, "I will bring them down, do I need to iron them?" Jenny said, "I will do it." Drake said Sam will you sleep with me tonight?" Sam smiled and said "yes."
Joshua arrived at Falmouth and went to visit his partner Blewitt. He introduced Bobby, then explained the boy was his step nephew. He wished him to have and apprenticeship where he could learn the trade. He told Blewitt he also wanted a family with high moral standards to take Bobby in. He told then he would pay a monthly stipend for room and board. He also requested that Blewitt do him the greatest favor and make sure the boy was treated properly. Blewitt told Joshua he would introduce him to a couple of homes he thinks may be suitable, also he said he will make sure he has the best instructor in the shipbuilding industry to teach him.
The next day Bobby and Joshua picked the family for Bobby to live they were very agreeable once they realized the stipend Joshua would pay. Then Blewitt introduced him to the Master shipbuilder that would take Bobby under his wing and teach him the trade. Joshua went to look at furniture for the house. He picked out a two large four poster bed for one for the master bedroom and another in the new section. He wanted the bed Grace and he shared. He also ordered a dressing mirror for the master, and one for the third bedroom. He purchased eight stuffed chairs for the upstairs bedroom so the occupants can sit next to the fire. They assured him the furniture would arrive tomorrow. He spent the evening with Bobby telling him, that if he needed anything he should contact him immediately. He gave him some money and pad two months of his room and board to the widow's family he was going to live with. Joshua hugged the boy and told Blewitt he was entrusting a family member to his care, if he needed anything he was to contact him. He also asked Blewitt to have him trained in reading and writing. The next morning Joshua returned home.
Breakfast was set on the table when Demelza rose, Ross realized it missed the bread that Demelza usually made daily there was no jam set on the table and porridge was the only thing served. Demelza decided she would tell Jenny and Edna what she wanted on the table for the meals. She also noticed the boy's clothes looked cleaner. She would need to find out how she could get material to sew those shirts and some cravat's she would have to see if she could get some britches for Willie, and James. She would take the ones that no longer fit Ross in for Sam. Drake had more than enough clothes of Claude's. Bobby she could take the smaller i
if Ross's in. After they ate Demelza went to go gather some of the clothes to wash. She asked if anyone had any clothes or towels that needed washed. Ross said "if there are any clothes needing washed Edna and Jenny can do it. You should go lay down. A punctured lung is dangerous, and you need to get that rib healed." Demelza said "I will go and lay down, but I need to take some measurements from Sam to fix those old clothes of yours. She went into the kitchen and said while taking the clothing off the line or while ironing them please bring them to me if they have any holes as I will mend them directly. Also, I will be letting you know of what will be served for meals. "I was surprised this morning because usually Jenny knows Mister Ross and Mister Joshua like choices for breakfast. Jenny, can you come upstairs with me please, I could use your help." Once there Demelza said, "Jenny what happened at breakfast why was it just porridge that was served." Jenny looked at her feet "Edna told me that it be a waste to serve so much food, whilst others are starving. She made it sound like Mister Ross had requested her to be in charge."  Demelza grabbed her hands and said "you are my friend and you have served us since Purdy and Jud was dismissed. If it is a choice, please know you will have me in your conner." Jenny just nodded her head. Demelza said, "now could you ask Mister Ross to please come up I need to have a word with him."
Ross, came to Demelza room and asked, "what can I do for you love?" "Ross did you tell Edna that she was only to make Porridge from now on," he looked shocked. "Demelza you should know by now I like sweets for every meal." Demelza nodded her head then said, "did you tell Edna she was to oversee Jenny?" Ross rubbed his hand through his hair, "I did not, what is this about."  "I asked Jenny why a sparse meal was provided this morning, since I know Mister Joshua likes choices and never really liked porridge. Jenny told me that Edna informed her it was sinful to have that much food while others are starving."  Ross said, "do you want me to reprimand her."  Demelza said, "no I will handle it, as I have already told them I will inform them what Will be provided for each meal, I will oversee the preparing of our meals since I am not quite sure they know enough about cooking with so many herbs and ingredients. Also, I am not sure me laying around in my room this morning is going to be a possibility." Ross said, "as my father is away, I am Master, and you will rest today and actually until Dr. Enys releases you." Demelza glared furiously at him but did not argue.
When Joshua came home, he was brought up on Demelza's health status, the breakfast that was served and the issue that was presented to Demelza. It was also decided to let Demelza manage it. Joshua also told Ross what he had decided for furniture. He brought in Sam, Jim, Jack, and Ross to move furniture. Joshua and Ross looked in on Demelza and found she was sleeping. When the furniture arrived, it was placed in the rooms two pink flower chairs were put in with Demelza.