The Marriage Bargain

“You took in a lot of smoke. Have you been to see the doc?”

“No. I’m fine. There’s too much work to do to stop for a minor cough.”

He knew how much smoke had been in her rooms. The stairwell had acted like a chimney and drawn the smoke upward. No doubt a draft around the windows had pulled the dangerous fumes under the door at the top of the landing.

“I’m taking you to see Doc Willis.” He headed for the front of the shop. “Where’s your coat?”

When she didn’t follow, he turned and waited.

“You are not taking me—” a cough interrupted her words “—anywhere.”

He raised his eyebrows. Would she be so stubborn as to refuse medical treatment? “Then I’ll have to ask Doc Willis to come here.” He opened the door and stepped onto the sidewalk. “We need to get this place ready for you to open your business. The sooner you get that cough taken care of, the sooner that will happen.”

“Wait, please.” She coughed again. “If it will set your mind at ease so we can get to work on the repairs, I’ll go.” She shrugged her arms into the sleeves of her coat and turned up the collar.

The January wind whipped around him, and he rubbed his arms against the cold. They walked briskly in the direction of the doctor’s office. “I’ll feel better knowing you aren’t making yourself worse by not resting.”

Lily turned to look at him. “You must be freezing.”

“I’m fine.” He dropped his hands to his sides.

“Your coat was ruined when you put out the fire.”

“It was time for a new coat anyway. I’ll go by the general store after lunch and get one.” She walked beside him across the main intersection in town. He hoped she didn’t notice the curious glances being sent their way. It was obvious to him that the events of the night before were on everyone’s mind this morning.

“You must allow me to pay for it.” She seemed too focused to notice the people who turned their heads to whisper when they passed. He wasn’t sure that was a good thing. It might be better if she were more aware of what went on around her. If she were, they wouldn’t be the object of town gossip. He knew it wasn’t fair to blame her, but he didn’t like the idea of anyone gossiping about him. Ellen would be harmed if he was cast in a poor light. And it wouldn’t do Lily’s new business any favors to open the shop in the midst of swirling lies smearing her name.

“I’ll pay for my coat. And the repairs.” He opened the door to the doctor’s office.

She opened her mouth as she entered the building, most likely to argue the point with him, but quickly succumbed to another coughing spell.

* * *

Lily continued to cough while Edward called out, “Doc. I brought you a new patient.”

Lily sank unceremoniously into a chair near the door. The smell of camphor and dust assaulted her senses. A curtain rustled and parted. The man who’d kept her from running back into her shop during the fire came into the room.

“Hello, Edward. Finally find yourself a wife?” The short man with spectacles looked from the blacksmith to Lily.

“A wife?” What was this man thinking?

“No, Doc. She’s my new tenant. You probably saw her last night. I went by to start the repairs this morning.” He pointed to Lily as she interrupted them with a cough. “This is how I found her. I think the smoke got to her. She’s been hacking away.”

“I saw her. Actually had to restrain her to keep her from following you into the burning building.” The doctor motioned for her to have a seat on the table in the center of the room.

“I’m not injured, Dr. Willis.” She moved to the table and sat stiff with her hands in her lap.

He seemed to ignore her. “Are you light-headed?” He peered into her eyes and checked the pulse at the base of her neck.

“I am not.” She glared at Edward, who had retreated to stand near the door. “I told Mr. Stone this trip was unnecessary, but he insisted.” She slid toward the edge of the table, but the doctor prevented her from getting up.

“Just the coughing?” He assembled his stethoscope and pressed the bell against her back. “Take a deep breath.”

She drew in a breath, and the coughing began again.

He moved to the opposite side of her back. “Again.” The results were the same.

“I don’t think you’ve done any major damage to your lungs, but it’s probably going to take a few days for you to recover from taking in so much smoke.” He paused to look at her. “Your color is good. I think it’s just a matter of getting some rest.”

“I don’t have time to rest. I’ve got a business to open.” She coughed into her handkerchief again, hating that her body was betraying her so. She needed to work. There would be time for rest later.

“A hard worker, are you?” The doctor tilted his head to one side and studied her.

Lily straightened her shoulders. “I am. It’s how I was raised. We Warrens don’t cotton to laziness or excuses.”

He turned to Edward and nodded his head in Lily’s direction. “She looks as good as any other lady around here. You oughta think about this one.”

“I don’t think so, Doc.” Edward seemed to be laughing at her from his place in the corner of the room. First he’d insisted on bringing her here, and now he was a party to her ridicule. She wouldn’t stand for it.

“I don’t need a doctor.” Anger gave her fresh strength, and she turned her eyes to the blacksmith. “Or a husband.”

“As you wish.” Dr. Willis backed away from the table. He turned toward the curtains where he’d made his entrance.

Another coughing spell overtook her. Between coughs Lily said, “Wait a minute, Doctor.”

The doctor stopped with a hand on the curtain and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t got all day, missy.”

“I’m sorry. Can you give me something for the cough?” She hated to submit to the man but had no time for setbacks. Her father and sister would arrive in a few short weeks. She needed to have her shop open and bringing in business before then.

The doctor went to a glass cabinet against the back wall. Lily caught Edward looking at her with a grin of satisfaction. He was enjoying having been right about insisting she see the doctor.

“I want you to use this flaxseed to make a tea.” The doctor handed her a bottle. “You can do it several times a day. It will help with the cough and clearing your lungs.”

She took the bottle reluctantly. “Thank you.”

Dr. Willis nodded. “Sensible, too, Edward. You need to reconsider this one.”

Lily might submit to his ministrations but not to his attitude. “Really, Doctor, I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to discuss me as if I’m a prize horse.”

“I didn’t say you were a prize. Just worth a second consideration.” He looked at Edward standing with his back to the door. “But only if she’s given to moments of quiet.”

The blacksmith laughed then. “I haven’t seen one yet, Doc.”

Lily scowled. “If you’ll tell me your fee, Doctor, we’ll be on our way.” She hoped this ordeal was drawing to an end. How was it possible for her to be at the mercy of not one, but two belligerent men?

* * *

Edward waited while Lily paid the doctor, then held the door open for her to walk through before him.