“I’m sorry,” he said to Rose. “I have to go.”
“I’ll come with you,” Rose said.
“There’s no need.”
“Don’t be silly. I love that little girl.” Cameron’s seven-year-old sister, Katrina, had stolen Rose’s heart the day they met.
“Do come on then, both of you.” Tricia urged her horse into a gallop.
When they reached the Prices’ cottage, a large woman met them before they came near the house. “Doc is with her now, Cam. She’s asking for you.”
“Go ahead, Cameron,” Rose said. “I’ll take care of your horse.”
Cameron’s steely eyes were sunken and worried. “That’s kind of you, but I couldn’t impose on you. It’s not gentlemanly.”
“It was my idea,” Rose said. “Now go on.” Rose shooed Cameron and Tricia into the house. “Go see Kat. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of three horses.”
* * * *
“She’s nice, Cam,” Tricia said as Rose led the horses to the stable.
“Nice, yes,” Cameron replied.
Mrs. Price was sitting in a chair in Katrina’s room while Dr. Hinkman examined her.
“Mum, what happened?” Cameron asked.
“She came in burning up,” Mrs. Price said.
“Cam?” Kat’s little voice croaked.
“Yes, Kitty-Kat, I’m here.”
“I don’t feel too good.”
“I know. The doctor is going to help you.”
Rose came in and stood in the doorway of Kat’s room.
“Lady Rose,” Mrs. Price said. “What are you doing here?”
“I met Mr. Price while I was out riding. A nice young man who works here, said his name was Arnold, offered to see to the horses so I could come see how Kat is doing. How is she?”
“We don’t know yet,” Mrs. Price said.
“I don’t like the look of it.” The doctor shook his head. “It could be scarlet fever.”
“No!” Mrs. Price clasped her hands to her face.
“We won’t know for sure until the rash comes,” Hinkman said, “but in the meantime, I’m going to have to quarantine all of you.”
“Quarantine? Why?” Mrs. Price asked.
“Because you’ve all been exposed. We don’t want an epidemic on our hands.”
“I should get back to Laurel Ridge,” Rose said.
“I’m sorry, my lady,” the doctor said, “but you’ll have to stay here. I can’t take the chance that you’ll expose everyone on the estate to scarlet fever.”