and bring it up one at a time. We will need a large coverlet or sheet to make a tent over George and Her Grace.”
“Yes, miss.” Jenkins turned to a footman and relayed all of Emma’s orders.
She walked to the steps and glanced back at Simon. “Are you coming?”
He blinked in confusion. He’d never thought of Emma as a lady with such a commanding persona but seeing her take charge was enlightening.
“How do you know all this?” Simon asked as they ascended to the nursery.
“When Louisa finally told me about Robby, I investigated croup and whooping cough myself.”
“Indeed?”
She let out a small chuckle. “Louisa is not the only one who can read books.”
Simon smiled back at her. “I suppose not.”
They entered the nursery to find Harry, Louisa, and the nurse pacing the room. Louisa held George tight to her chest as he let out a barking cough.
“Oh, that is a good sign,” Emma exclaimed after hearing the baby cough.
Everyone turned and stared at her. Louisa’s mouth gaped before she said, “A good sign? Are you mad, Emma?”
“Louisa, it sounds like croup. I have already asked Jenkins to boil large quantities of water so we can get some steam into his lungs.”
“Doctor Harris is on his way,” Louisa replied sternly. “He will decide what is wrong with George.”
Simon watched the interplay between the sisters. Typically, Louisa would have won any contest, but he would bet on Emma winning tonight.
A footman arrived with a coverlet. “Miss Drake, here is the blanket. The water will be up shortly.”
Louisa’s face crumpled as George coughed again. “Where is that physician?”
“Louisa,” Emma knelt by her sister and stared at her. “This is croup. Some steam will help him breathe easier. Please trust me. If the physician says otherwise, we can take his recommendations. Either way, the steam will not hurt him.”
Louisa nodded slowly.
When the footmen finally arrived with the first bowl of steaming water, Emma assisted her sister by positioning the coverlet over them. Once they were covered, the nurse mouthed “thank you” to Emma.
The physician finally arrived a few minutes later.
“Good evening, Dr. Harris,” Emma said with a quick curtsy. “Please let me introduce the duke’s brother, Mr. Kingsley.”
The men gave a quick bow to each other. The physician glanced about the room as Harry disentangled himself from the coverlet.
“Your Grace,” Dr. Harris said with a bow to Harry. “Where is the babe?”
“Under the coverlet with his mother.”
“With steam,” Emma added.
“Excellent,” the physician commented. “We will need more steam.”
“It’s on its way,” Simon said.
“Is it croup then?” Louisa asked as she tossed the coverlet off her. Her normally straight hair appeared even more flattened from the steam.
“I won’t know for certain until I examine him,” Dr. Harris said gently. “Let me see the little lordling.”
George released a horrible barking cough as Louisa removed him from his steam bath. Dr. Harris grasped the infant under the arms and brought him down on the bed.
“Symptoms?”
Louisa cleared her throat. “Stuffy nose, slight fever, and that dreadful cough.”
Dr. Harris did a routine exam on George and declared, “A cold with croup. Keep up with the steam to clear his cough. I will give you something to help reduce his fever and make him more comfortable. I will return tomorrow afternoon to see how he’s doing.”
Louisa’s face finally relaxed. “Thank you, doctor.”
“Of course.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a small vial of liquid. “Give him two drops every eight hours.”
Louisa nodded.
Harry moved toward the door to escort the physician out. Once the door closed, Louisa looked at them both and said, “Thank you for coming.”
Emma sat down on the bed next to her sister and wrapped her in a warm embrace. “I know this is not what you thought your life would be like, but you must not let yourself become so overwrought over everything concerning George.”
Louisa shook her head as tears streamed down her face. “He is the future Duke of Worthington, Emma. I must do everything in my power to protect him.”
“Duchess,” Simon started slowly, “every child will have times where they are sick, hurt, or sad. Just love him. Do not let him miss out on things that might put him in harm’s way. He will be a stronger man for his mistakes and failings. He will learn how to become the best duke as his father did before him. You should always be there with your arms open when he needs his mother’s strength and love.”
He rose and held out his hand to