Forced into Love

Chapter Eleven

 

As the sun begins to rise, Buffy extricates her weary body from the bed. She moves slowly in order to not disturb the slumbering male. Buffy gathers her clothing before leaning over to check on him. She gently brushes a hand over his hot forehead. He looks up at her sadly.

Buffy: Sorry, go back to sleep.

Liam: Where you going?

Buffy: I will be back in just a few minutes. Do you need something?

Liam: No, but hurry.

Buffy: I will. I promise.

She scurries out into the hall and closes the door. She stops and leans against the wall as she fights back the tears. Willow moves quietly beside her and takes her hand.

Willow: It is just the winter illness. It is not like your mother.

Buffy nods as she looks at her.

Buffy: I know but it just scares me.

Willow: I know. Come on and I will assist you in dressing and then you can sit with him.

Buffy: Alright.

The two ladies slip into Hank’s room and Willow helps Buffy into her undergarments and gown.

Willow: There you are.

Buffy: Willow, would you please check on him while I slip outside?

Willow: Of course, ma’am.

Willow slips quietly into the bedroom.

Liam: Where is Buffy?

Willow: She had to step out. Do you need anything, sir?

Liam: No. There is nothing you can do.

He rolls over and kicks at the cover wrapped around his foot. Willow steps over and untangles it before stepping into the hall. She stops upon seeing Cordelia open her door.

Cordelia: Has he left yet?

Willow: Master Liam? No, he is staying home. He has taken ill.

Cordelia: He has? Well that serves him right.

Willow: Pardon, ma’am?

Cordelia: Nothing. I am ready to dress now.

Willow: Yes ma’am of course. Let me check the porridge and I will be right with you.

Cordelia smiles as she close her door.

 

A little later Cordelia and Willow are in the kitchen when Buffy comes in the back door. She pulls off her gloves and thick cape.

Buffy: Sorry I took so long. Is he okay?

Willow: I checked on him and he does not want anything.

Buffy: Other than to feel better?

Willow: Yes, there is that.

Buffy: Well I am going to do what I can. I asked Colin to hitch up the buggy for us. Cordelia, as soon as we have eaten, I would like you to accompany me to town.

Cordelia: Me? It is much to cold. Willow can go with you.

Buffy: No, I need Willow to attend to Mr. O’Connor. Unless you would rather see to his needs.

Cordelia: No. I do not need to be around a sick person. I already fear I was around him last evening. And I am in a delicate condition.

Buffy: Then you can help yourself by leaving the house with me. Now I am ready to have my breakfast.

Buffy strides into the dining room with purpose. When Cordelia enters, Buffy is already seated. The ladies sit and without words eat the warm porridge and biscuits.

 

Later

Buffy parks the buggy in front of the small clapboard building. A young gentleman steps forward and ties the lead to the post before helping Buffy to alight.

Buffy: Thank you, sir.

Owen: My pleasure, Buffy or should I now call you Mrs. O’Connor?

Buffy smiles.

Buffy: I think we have known each other too long for such formalities, Owen

He offers his hand to Cordelia and assists her to the ground.

Cordelia: Thank you.

Cordelia looks behind her to check the hem of her skirt.

Cordelia: Now look at my gown. I hate the streets here.

Buffy: It is just a little mud. It will wash out.

She looks over at Owen.

Buffy: How are your parents?

Owen: They are very well. Mother spoke of you several nights ago. She has been meaning to call on you. But knowing how much time it takes to become accustomed to a new household , she has been very hesitant to intrude.

Buffy: It would be no intrusion at all. I have missed her presence as well.

Owen: I will be sure to tell her.

Buffy: Please, ask her to wait a few days. Mr. O’Connor has taken ill today. I am actually here to see the apothecary.

Owen: I am sorry to hear that. Well, I shall not keep you. I will tell mother you would appreciate a visit in a few weeks.

Buffy: That would be lovely.

Owen smiles and steps away.

Cordelia: I was wondering how long he was going to keep us out here in the cold.

She stomps past Buffy and enters the small apothecary shop.

 

At the house.

Willow steps into the room and checks to make sure the chamber pot does not need cleaning. She then takes a cool damp cloth and quietly replaces the one on Liam’s forehead. His eyes flutter open.

Willow: Sorry. Did not mean to awaken you?

Liam: Can’t sleep. Too hot. Too bright.

Willow: I understand, sir. Let me close the curtains.

She crosses over to the window and quickly covers the intruding sunlight.

Willow: Can I get you anything else, sir?

Liam: Buffy.

Willow: She and Mrs. Finn have gone to the market. She will be back shortly.

Liam rolls over punches his pillow and sighs. Willow quietly steps from the room and leaves the door slightly ajar.

 

 

Buffy and Cordelia step out of the shop door.

Cordelia: I am glad that is over. That man was very boring. Did he believe we cared about all those sick and hurt people?

Buffy: I care. Those were friends that he spoke of.

Cordelia just continued to walk without responding. She opened the door to the stationary shop.

Giles: Welcome ladies. What can I help you with today?

Cordelia: I am here to speak with Mrs. Giles, if I may.

Giles: Of course. I will let her know you are here.

Buffy wanders over and examines the merchandise as Cordelia moves to the back of the shop. She can hear the two women talking in hushed tones. She bites her lip and tries not to become depressed at the thought she would never give birth to Angel’s child.

Giles: Is there something you are in need of?

Buffy looks up at him and smiles.

Buffy: No, thank you.

Giles: Well I just got a couple of sets of pastels in and I thought your husband might be interested.

Buffy: I am not sure. He has taken ill today. I just picked up an herbal tea from the apothecary. I will inform him when he is better.

Giles: I am sorry to hear he is not well. I will place a set aside for him.

Buffy turns and looks directly at him.

Buffy: No. I will take them now. And a dozen sheets of large sized drawing paper. It may be welcome if he is having to rest for a few days.

Giles: An excellent idea.

He reaches for the items and begins packaging them. As he finishes, Cordelia walks up.

Cordelia: I am ready.

Buffy: As am I. Thank you Mr. Giles.

Mr. Giles: You are quite welcome. Let me escort you to your carriage.

He opens the door and follows them out. He helps each woman up before handing them their packages.

Buffy: Thank you again.

Mr. Giles: My pleasure, ladies.

 

 

At the house

Willow slips into the darkened bedroom and silently removes the damp cloth from his forehead. She places her fingertips to his skin and grimaces at the radiant heat. She gently places another cool rag on him. He struggles to open his eyes and reaches out and grips her hand in his. He pulls the cool flesh to his skin.

Liam: Graim thu. (I love you)

Willow: Pardon, sir?

Liam: Mo alainn bean, graim thu. (My beautiful wife, I love you)

Willow: Master Liam, I do not understand what you need.

He strains to focus his eyes.

Liam: Willow?

Willow: Yes, sir. Can I get you something?

He drops her hand and shakes his head as he closes his eyes. She looks down until she hears the back door opening. She hurries into the kitchen and helps Cordelia with her cape. Cordelia shoves a small basket at Willow.

Cordelia: Here. Buffy wants you to start the tea.

Willow: Yes, ma’am.

By the time Buffy enters the house, the tea is slowly steeping. Willow rushes over and assists her.

Buffy: How is he?

Willow: Still burning with fever. And he is not making sense when he speaks.

Buffy: What?

Willow: He seems to try to speak but it is not words.

Buffy nods.

Buffy: Yes. He must be speaking Irish again. He did that late last night also. Did he say something like rochy?

Willow: No. It was much longer.

Buffy: Okay. Well I will take him the tea and see if he can tell me what he needs.

Willow places the china tea pot and cup on a tray. Buffy carries it to the bedroom and sets it on the night stand. She glances down at him as she pours the hot herbal tea. He whimpers as she sits beside him

Buffy: Angel?

She rubbed his shoulder and he turned his head.

Buffy: Angel?

Liam: Buffy?

Buffy: Yes, it is me.

Liam: You came back?

Buffy: You thought I wouldn’t?

Liam does not speak but nuzzles against her cool hand caressing his cheek.

Buffy: Angel, I need you to drink this tea for me.

Liam: It won’t stay down.

Buffy: It might. I need you to try. It should help you feel better.

Liam: What is it?

Buffy: I got it from the apothecary. He said the herbs would help settle your stomach and stop the fever. Can you sit up?

Liam: It will come back up.

Buffy: Then we will try again. He said we need to keep trying until some stays down.

She slides her hand behind his head and helps him to raise up a little. Buffy brings the cup to his mouth.

Buffy: It is still hot so just little sips.

He cautiously sips the warm liquid.

Buffy: Just take it slow.

He looks up at her compassionate face and then back at the tea. He takes a small breath and slowly drinks.

Buffy: There you go. Just a little more.

After a few more sips he drops back on the pillow.

Buffy: Are you going to be sick?

Liam: Not yet.

She exchanges his damp cloth as he lays watching her.

Buffy: Let me know if you want more.

He nods and starts to sit up. Buffy reaches over and puts another pillow behind him.

Buffy: You okay?

Liam: No.

Buffy: Sorry.

She lifts the cup for him and he wraps his hand around hers. She sighs at the hot skin.

Buffy: Just drink it slow.

Liam: You already said that.

Buffy: Sorry.

He looks contrite.

Liam: No, I am.

He slowly drinks the now warm tea. When the cup is empty he sighs and closes his eyes.

Buffy: Let me know if you need the basin.

He softly nods as she watches his body try and relax. Buffy reaches for his hot hand and caresses with her own until he is able to fall into a semi restful sleep.

 

 

Late that night

Liam opens his eyes and glances down at the foot of the bed. Buffy is still in her dress and curled into a ball. He forces himself to a sitting position. His wet shirt clings to his now damp flesh. He thinks about how all day Buffy rarely left his side. Each time he had awoken, she encouraged him to consume more of the vile tea. He now feels a tremendous need to expel the fluids from his body but he fears any movement might waken her.

He slowly disengages his legs from the twisted covers and quietly slips to the floor. His large hands grip the large wooden bedpost as he slightly staggers toward the open doorway. His bare feet make little noise as he makes his ways toward the kitchen. He is glad to find the house empty as he struggles into his coat and boots. Once outside he moves as quickly as he can manage to the outhouse.

 

As he steps back outside he finds Buffy bundled in her cloak standing in the moonlight on the porch steps.

Buffy: What are you trying to do?

Liam: I did not mean to wake you.

She begins ushering him inside and back to the bedroom.

Buffy: Get back in that bed, right now. What were you thinking?

Liam: I was uh……….outhouse.

Buffy places her hands on her hips then points in the corner to the large wooden chair.

Buffy: I brought that in here for you.

Liam: Oh, sorry.

Buffy sighs.

Buffy: Please get back in the bed.

As he sits she kneels down and removes his boots and he shrugs out of his coat. Buffy reaches to take the coat and brushes against his cold wet shirt.

Buffy: My lord, you are soaked through.

She reaches out and grips the thick cotton and begins pulling it over his head.

Buffy: I can not believe you went outside like this. You…you…

With the wet clothing in her hand, she turns and yanks open the dresser drawer. She takes a deep breath and turns around with a clean shirt. She glances at him huddled under the covers pretending to be asleep. She smiles and shakes her head before picking up the discarded coat, boots and dirty shirt and heading to the kitchen.

After having a cup of tea, Buffy returns to the room. She listens to his steady breathing and quietly changes and climbs beneath the rumpled covers. Exhaustion claims her quickly.

 

 

Morning

Buffy opens her eyes and looks into the soft brown ones watching her. He smiles at her.

Buffy: Are you feeling any better?

Liam: Yes.

Buffy sits up and lays her hand on his forehead.

Buffy: Your fever has gone. The tea seems to have worked.

Liam: I suppose so.

Buffy: I can make another pot.

Liam grimaces.

Liam: I would prefer regular tea and maybe toasted bread.

Buffy: If you think you want to try.

Liam: I do.

Buffy climbs from the bed and gathers a clean outfit.

Buffy: I will give you privacy. I will bring your breakfast when it is ready.

 

 

Later

Buffy softly knocks before entering. She sets a small table beside the bed and Willow places his tray on it.

Buffy: Thank you Willow. Would you please remove and clean the chamber pot?

Willow: Yes, ma’am.

Buffy slowly pours the tea for him. He sits quietly until Willow has left.

Liam: I am sorry to be a bother.

Buffy: You are no bother. You are just sick.

Liam: But you have done so much for me.

Buffy: Much less than you did for me on board ship.

Liam: You needed someone to care for you.

Buffy: And so did you.

He looks down and swallows hard. He realizes she did it out of a sense of duty to repay him. He feels a deep sadness invade him.

Buffy: You feeling alright?

Liam nods and glances over toward the wall trying to fight the tightening in his heart.

Liam: How did you get the commode chair?

Buffy: It was mother’s. Father got it for her when she took ill. I thought you would appreciate not having to venture outside.

Liam nods.

Liam: Thank you.

Buffy: You are welcome. Just wished I had told you before you had need.

Liam: I am sorry I worried you.

Buffy reaches out and brushes his hair from his face. She tries to look into his eyes but he darts them over to the table.

Liam: I think I should try to eat.

Buffy holds in her sigh and hands him the tea. She closes her eyes for a second as his fingers brush hers. She quickly turns toward the door.

Buffy: I need to go eat too.

He stares as she rushes out of the door.

A few moments later he sees Willow enter and replace the chamber pot into the commode.

Willow: Is there anything more I can get you sir?

Liam: No, thank you. You have been most helpful. I am sorry if I worried the household.

Willow: It is fine sir. I was only concerned when you began mumbling odd words but Mrs. O’Connor explained you were only speaking in your mother tongue.

Liam: Gaelic? I spoke Gaelic?

Willow: I am not sure sir. Mrs. O’Connor said it was Irish.

Liam smiles.

Liam: Most people call Gaelic, Irish. It is a common mistake.

Willow: I will not make it again, sir.

Liam: It is fine, Willow.

He looks down at his tea and back up.

Liam: Do you recall what I said to the two of you?

Willow: I was not hear when you spoke to your wife. She said did mention the word rochey.

Liam: Yes, I remember that. Rote. It means too hot.

Willow: I guess that would be correct. You were very hot with the fever, sir.

Liam: Do you recall anything else?

Willow: Not really. You just mumbled words I could not understand. I do not remember them. I am sorry sir.

Liam: It is okay. I am just ashamed I was so troublesome.

Willow: You were ill, sir. You were no trouble. I am glad I could help Mrs. O’Connor try and ease your suffering. It was like your wonderful care of her on board the Joyce Marie. You two are so devoted to each other. It is a pleasure to be within this household, sir.

Liam: Willow, I have kept you too long. Buffy may be needing you.

Willow nods and leaves the room. Liam sighs and rubs his eyes as he wishes what Willow perceived was real.