Ashes of Thornwood

Chapter 14

The summer heat lay heavy over Thornewood, pressing down on the estate like an oppressive blanket. The days had grown long and stifling, the air thick with humidity that seemed to seep into every corner of the house. Even with all the windows open, there was little relief from the sweltering warmth that wrapped around everything like a suffocating shroud.

I sat in the drawing room, fanning myself with a delicate lace fan as I waited for the doctor to finish his visit with Mrs. Thorne. The fabric of my dress clung to my damp skin, and every breath felt labored, as if the very air resisted entering my lungs. My swollen belly made it difficult to find a comfortable position, and the baby's incessant kicking only added to my discomfort. The weight of my condition pressed down on me with an almost unbearable intensity, and I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a decent night's sleep.

Finally, the door creaked open, and Dr. Faraday stepped into the room, his expression grave as he adjusted his spectacles. He was an older man, with a kindly face framed by a bushy white beard, and his presence usually brought a sense of calm to the household. But today, there was a tension in his features that made my heart sink.

"Mrs. Thorne is stable," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "But her condition continues to decline. I'm afraid there's little more we can do at this stage other than keep her comfortable."

I nodded, trying to suppress the wave of guilt that washed over me. Mrs. Thorne had been bed-bound for weeks now, her health deteriorating rapidly despite all our efforts. I had taken on much of the burden of caring for her, but with my own condition worsening, I could barely manage to keep up. The thought of her fragile body wasting away in that darkened room weighed heavily on my mind, and I couldn't help but feel that I was failing her, failing everyone.

"And how is the baby?" I asked, my voice betraying the anxiety that had been gnawing at me for days.

Dr. Faraday gave me a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "The baby is strong, Mrs. Thorne. But you must take care of yourself. The stress you're under isn't good for you or the child."

I sighed, frustration bubbling up inside me like a pot ready to boil over. "How can I not stress? There's so much to worry about... Mrs. Thorne, the estate, and with Sebastian gone..." My voice trailed off, and I looked down at my hands, which had begun to tremble slightly. The enormity of my responsibilities felt like a noose tightening around my neck.

The doctor reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch warm and comforting. "You need to rest, Evie. I know it's easier said than done, but you must try. Your health is just as important as the baby's, and if you continue to push yourself, you could put both of you at risk."

I nodded, knowing he was right but feeling helpless in the face of all that needed to be done. "I'll try, Doctor," I promised, though the words felt hollow.

"Good," he replied, standing up and gathering his things. "I'll have some herbal remedies sent over that should help you sleep. In the meantime, let others shoulder the burden. That's what they're here for."

After he left, I remained in the drawing room for a while, staring out the window at the sprawling grounds of Thornewood. The summer sun beat down on the fields, the grass golden and dry from the relentless heat. Even the trees, usually so full of life, seemed to sag under the weight of the sun's oppressive rays. The estate had taken on an eerie stillness, as if even the earth itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to break the oppressive tension that had settled over us.

Mr. Crowley, the new plantation manager Sebastian had hired, was doing a commendable job keeping the estate in order. The fields were well-tended, the crops growing strong despite the challenges of the season. But there was something about him that made me uneasy. He was efficient, almost too efficient, and though he managed the finances with a meticulous hand, there were rumors among the staff of valuable items going missing—small things at first, a piece of silver here, a trinket there. Nothing significant enough to cause alarm, but enough to make me question his true intentions.