Page 25 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

Beau guided his beloved Viola to the chamber that had been hurriedly reserved by Bishop. It was fortunate indeed that the inn they had chosen to make their first stop at had vacant rooms, as it was still early in the day.

The nursemaids and abigails were elsewhere with the luggage, so it would fall to him and Mrs Alston to take care of the children until their mother was well enough to resume her duties.

He spoke briefly to her and was told that this indisposition, although unpleasant, would pass within a day or two.

‘In which case, ma’am, I shall send my man to fetch back the carriage, the servants and the luggage. It should be here before nightfall.’

‘I thank you, young man, and do not look so worried. A megrim is not life-threatening.’

He nodded politely but made no response to this comment. The old lady was deliberately making reference to his interest in her daughter and he was not comfortable with that.

The children had remained under the supervision of Bishop as they intended to spend time with their dog and have a closer look at his footwear. He beckoned his man over and explained what he required.

‘Hire another hack, there is no point in ruining your mount. And do the same for the return journey – I shall be more comfortable having you at my side in the present circumstances.

‘Children, you may come out and spend time with Brutus later, but now he needs to rest. There is a fine spread set out for us in a private parlour. Whilst your mama is unwell you will be in my charge.’

The children exchanged a look, not of apprehension as one might have expected, but of delight. It would seem that despite the firm set-down he had given Elizabeth, she did not fear him but actually enjoyed his company.

He held out his hands and they took one each. A smart gentleman was exiting the premises and they stood to one side to allow him to come out without hindrance. He nodded and smiled.

‘Excellent children you have there, sir, a credit to you.’

Thomas bowed and Elizabeth curtsied and he could not help smiling at the comment.

‘Excellent children? I think that is overstating the matter, but I shall say no more on the subject.’ His tone belied his words and they giggled.

Their table manners were impeccable. They ate more than he did and appeared happy to stand at the window looking out into the yard whilst he went to check how the patient was progressing.

He was concerned that his future mother-in-law had not appeared to eat, as there was one thing he was quite certain of – she did enjoy her food.

Again, he had managed to acquire a small apartment for Viola and her family. His chamber was opposite to her sitting room – close enough to be of assistance if he should be required, but not too close to raise eyebrows if there happened to be anyone interested in their behaviour.

He knocked on the sitting room door but, on receiving no response, he opened it and stepped in. To his horror he found Mrs Alston apparently comatose on the floor. He could hear nothing from the bedchamber so must suppose Viola was asleep.

He dropped to his knees and chafed her hands, calling her name repeatedly but got no response. Her complexion was pale, but her lips were not blue, which would have indicated she had suffered an apoplexy. Carefully he scooped her up and carried her into her own bedchamber.

Her pulse was regular but she still did not rouse. There was nothing for it, he would have to act as her maid. He had no intention of disturbing Viola if he could avoid it. With gentle fingers he unfastened her cloak and slipped it out from beneath her, then he removed her bonnet and boots.

He took a deep breath before running his hands down her person to check if she was wearing stays, which could be interfering with her ability to breathe.

She was not, which was fortunate as he would have had to loosen them and had no wish to cause her further embarrassment when she awoke and realised he had attended to her in such a personal manner.

The room was warm, the fire burning fiercely, so there was no danger of her becoming cold. He unrolled the comforter that had been laid across the end of the bed and placed it over her. He was at a loss to know what to do next. Then a slight sound behind him made him turn.

Viola, in her undergarments, was standing in the doorway. ‘You can do no more, Edward. This has happened once before and the physician said that when she overtaxes herself her heart cannot cope and so she faints. Thank you for taking care of her.’

He was at her side in two strides. ‘And you? How are you? I did not wish to disturb you unless I had to. My sister, Giselle, suffers from megrims…’

‘I did not know you had any family, Edward. You must tell me more when I am better. I do not believe this will be a very severe attack. I have not cast up my accounts, and I believe if I can sleep for the remainder of the day I shall be restored by morning.’

‘What about your mother? Are you sure I should not summon someone professional to attend to her?’

‘No, she will sleep for a few hours and then wake refreshed and wonder how she came to be in bed. Who is watching the children in your absence?’

‘They are waiting for me in the parlour downstairs. If you are quite sure there is nothing more I can do here, I shall return at once to them. Your servants should be with you in a few hours. I have reserved these chambers for two nights as you and your mother must be fully recovered before we resume our journey.’

‘Then I shall return to my rest. We are indebted to you, Edward, and I thank you.’

‘I am happy to help you, Viola, and even more pleased that we are now on less formal terms.’

He waited, poised to leap into action if he was required, until she returned safely to her bed. He had no time to dwell on what he had revealed about his real persona; the children had been left unattended for far too long already.

The afternoon did not drag as he had expected. The children were lively companions and they played spillikins until they all tired of this and then he decided to teach them how to play cribbage. The landlord found them the necessary items and soon they were all engrossed in the game.

‘Children, you must remain here on your best behaviour whilst I go and check that your grandmother and mother are recovering from their indisposition.’

‘Mama often gets these headaches, sir, and Grandmama has fainted clean away at least twice in the last few months. They always recover speedily.’

‘Thank you for your reassurance, but as they do not have their maids it is I who must see if they have everything they require.’

Thomas, who was now building a house made of cards, looked up and smiled. ‘Will we be having nursery tea or shall we be eating with you tonight, sir?’

‘You are half correct, young man. I shall eat nursery tea with you but it will be served a little later than you are accustomed to.’

They were satisfied with his response and he was confident they would not misbehave whilst he was upstairs. It would be dark soon. Hopefully, both Bishop, the maids and the luggage would be here before it got full dark.

* * *

As soon as Edward had left the chamber, Viola returned to check on her mother for herself. Her skin was warm, her pulse steady; she was just deeply asleep. Satisfied there was no danger, she returned to her own bedchamber.

This was not as commodious as the one she had shared with her children in the hotel. They would have to come in the large bed with her tonight, and possibly tomorrow night if they decided to remain here for another twenty-four hours.

The blinding pain that stabbed in her right eye whenever she had a megrim had abated to bearable, but she knew from past experience if she did not rest in a darkened room it would return with a vengeance later on.

Once she was settled under the comforter, she closed her eyes and let her mind drift over all sorts of delightful possibilities.

Even the unpleasant duty of being obliged to share her bed and her body with Edward no longer alarmed her as much as it had before.

The more she knew him, the more she loved him.

If she explained her reservations she was certain he would be prepared to wait until she was ready to become his true wife.

Her lips curved at her presumption. She was already married to him in her own mind and he had yet to declare his feelings or make her an offer.

He had mentioned a sister, Giselle, and until that moment for some reason she had thought him alone in the world.

She would have to learn more about his background before they tied the knot.

She was able to sleep for a further three hours and then woke almost recovered.

‘My lady, do you wish to get up and use the commode? Sally has made the children a comfortable bed on the chaise longue in the sitting room and she will sleep with them. They will be perfectly comfortable there. I will sleep in the armchair in here so I can attend to you in the night. Mrs Alston did not wish to get up but has eaten a hearty meal.’

‘Thank you, Hughes, that is very efficient of you.’ She was tempted to add to this remark that it was also completely out of character for her maid to make any effort over and above what was expected of her.

Was it possible she too thought things were going to change at Fenchurch and her position was in jeopardy?

‘I take it my luggage is here. I should like to remove my undergarments and put on my nightgown after I have completed my ablutions. I should also like a jug of barley water fetched here. I require nothing to eat tonight.’

It took her longer than usual to prepare for the night. These sick headaches always made her slow and clumsy and affected her vision disastrously. When she was in her nightgown and bedrobe she walked through to see for herself that her children and her mother were safely settled.