Home of Beasts and Gentle Ladies

Chapter four

Miss Ettie expected her at the hospital after lunch. Even though they both were pretty serious about the apprenticeship, headmistress didn't allow Eloise to skip classes. Missis Blythe's Ladies, after all, should uphold a certain standard. Eloise was unmotivated to continue studying, and yet she had to follow the rules.

A few days passed since the incident with the wounded knight and the buzzing started dying down. Eloise, on the other hand, improved with her bedside manners and enjoyed nursing her patient to health. She still occasionally caught herself staring but it was a matter of practice. To her disappointment Miss Freya was never awake when she finished with her lessons, so instead of checking on her herself, Eloise had to get her information from Miss Ettie. It would've been nice to have a conversation with a person you constantly see naked, but one day she had to be up.

This was today. Eloise handed Martha the books and slipped out the moment their class finished. Every bit of her being was full of restless energy. Her fingertips were almost tingling with anticipation although most of the things she'd done were tedious like boiling and changing sheets. But like Miss Ettie said she learned to enjoy a sense of purpose. And today of all days her purpose was up on her feet, fighting an imaginary enemy in the long hospital nightgown a gleaming sword in her hand. Eloise suppressed a laugh.

«Aren't you supposed to be in bed?» she exclaimed. The woman turned, breaking her elegant movement and held Eloise at a sharp point of her sword. You couldn't refuse her in finesse. The frilly gown might've looked ridiculous paired with a blade, but the skill was evident.

«Hello? Do I know you?» asked Freya. Her voice was slightly husky but in a pleasant way.

«I'm Eloise. I help Miss Et- Ester with the patients,» she said calmly but her face was flushing. To imagine that she casually speaks to a woman she saw bare like on the day she was born.

«Oh,» the woman exhaled, putting down her weapon. «I'm Freya.»

«Miss Freya, I insist on getting back to bed.» Eloise attempted her strictest tone, but the difference in their age was awfully visible, so she didn't expect her to listen in earnest.

«Please, just Freya,» said the knight, smiling. She had a nice set of straight pearly teeth, the incisors were slightly bigger making the whole face appear predatory.

Eloise sighted. «Freya, please, go back to bed,» she repeated and to her surprise, the woman put away her sword. Freya didn't exactly lay on the bed, but she sat and folded her arms as if expecting some sort of a speech from her. They didn't have anything in common though and Eloise refused to mention how unprofessionally she treated the woman while she was asleep.

«Do I need to partake in any procedures?» asked Freya, lifting one of her brows. She propped herself on the pillows and half-sat demonstrating her long trained legs. Eloise spent a moment appreciating the picture. «Nurse?»

«Me?» Freya startled her. She grew unacceptably distracted since the woman woke up. It didn't have to affect her behavior if her patient is passed out or awake. «Yes, me- sure. The nurse.»

«So?» There was some sort of languid energy about Freya, that enticed Eloise. Dealing with a sleeping body was far easier.

«Yes, the procedures. You must take your potions,» exclaimed Eloise, fumbling with the buttons on her coat. She wanted to get in her apron and hide in the other room until Miss Ettie comes. She didn't have to be away for long. «I'm going to brew them quickly. You lie and relax. Have you seen Miss Ester?»

«She has some business in the professorial building. Promised to get back in half an hour.» Freya shrugged. Her staring made Eloise nervous. It was as if the woman wanted to get under her skin and strip Eloise of all her secrets.