Elsie

Chapter 23: A Letter

Clement scooped Elsie up in his arms as gently as possible and carried her down the servants' corridor, through the first floor, and up the stairs. He had asked Mrs. Jacobs to prepare the chamber nearest the master bedroom, as it was equipped with a fireplace, a clawfoot tub, and an elaborate wash basin. Originally, the room had been designed for the mistress of Elmsdale, though Clement's mother had never used it as such.

Nora had turned down the covers, and Clement deposited Elsie upon the bed. Hannah was stoking the fire, casting anxious looks over her shoulder at her friend. Adam arrived just a moment after Elsie was situated, carrying a bucket of ice that he had retrieved from the ice box. Nora wrapped a chunk of ice in a clean cloth, and Clement placed it over Elsie's forehead. He continued to dip a second rag to dab Elsie's face once more.

"I will stay with her," Clement announced, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The others left, promising to return often to stoke the fire, refill the ice bucket, change the sheets, and other various tasks. Hours passed by and Elsie still did not wake. Clement didn't leave her once, sitting on the edge of the bed attending to her. He fretted over every little grimace in her face, fearing the worst. He hardly registered the presence of others coming and going from the room, his eyes never straying from Elsie's face.

"Mr. Jones," Nora called softly. It was nightfall, and Clement was still sitting in the same spot beside Elsie. "You must eat something and get some rest. You will be in no condition to tend to Elsie if you make yourself ill."

Clement furrowed his brow, slowly standing up from the bed so as not to jostle Elsie. He limped a bit as his leg had fallen asleep from sitting in the same position. "I'll take some dinner," he agreed, "but I won't sleep tonight."

Nora didn't attempt to reason with him; she was grateful that he complied with her request that he eat. She took over for Clement, checking Elsie's temperature with her hand and replacing the melting ice pack.

Lois and Verda had saved back a plate of food for Clement. They served him his meal before taking their leave, speaking well wishes over Elsie as they departed. Clement ate quickly, taking his dirty dishes to the kitchen himself before returning up the stairs.

Night seemed never-ending. Clement sat in a chair next to the bed. A lantern burned lowly next to the basin of water. Mrs. Jacobs checked in on them every few hours, always offering to take over, but Clement refused, so she simply refilled the ice and left. As dawn broke, Clement's eyes were bloodshot from anxiety and lack of sleep. Hannah entered the room, quietly stoking the fire.

"Your breakfast is ready, sir," she whispered, stepping close to him as she surveyed the woman suffering in a fitful sleep.

"Why won't she wake up?" Clement's hoarse voice cracked in response, breaking Hannah's heart. She laid a small, soft hand on Clement's shoulder in comfort, knowing that there was nothing she could say to ease his mind. She watched as a single tear rolled down his cheek, causing tears to well in her own eyes. Quietly, she left to fetch Nora, who entered a few moments later.

"Clement, dear," her motherly voice used his given name to rouse him from his despondent state, "you've done all you can. Your body is spent. Eat your breakfast and go lie down. I promise that I will call for you if there are any changes."

Clement's shoulders drooped, but he didn't protest. "Even the slightest change," he instructed her.

"I promise," she assured him again.

After breakfast, Clement lay flat on his back in the master bed, his clothes still on and the bed still made. He closed his eyes, but sleep refused to take him. His ears strained for even the slightest noise coming from the neighboring room, and he left his door cracked open.