“I like that idea,” he replied. A cork popped, and she watched as he poured two glasses.
Cathryn accepted the glass. “To Charles for making this day far less stressful.”
“This is for my extraordinarily talented wife who makes my life brighter with each passing day.”
They consumed the glass slowly, enjoying the flavor of the wine. Cathryn placed her empty glass back on the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to change. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
She found an ecru night gown and robe set out for her. Quickly she began to disrobe, finally remembering she needed Charles’s help with loosening the corset. Walking back into the main room, she found it empty.
“Charles?”
His head popped around the corner. “I was getting comfortable as well. Is there something you need?”
“Help with my corset? I really can’t do it alone.”
He walked near her. He had no shirt on, and she couldn’t help but stare at his muscled chest. The next thing she felt was him spinning her around so he could loosen the laces of the corset. His fingers worked quickly to get her waist out of the contraption.
“I don’t know who came up with this. There has to be a simpler way.”
“Let me know if you find it. You could probably make a fortune,” Cathryn said.
“If I did, what would you ladies do with the time it takes to tighten one of these?”
“Have more time to get ready for bed,” she replied. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
Quickly she finished getting ready for the night by brushing her hair. She decided not to braid it but let it hang loose. It felt better being free. Putting the brush down, she went to join Charles. If this evening’s outing bothered him, he handled it well and never let on. Most importantly, he didn’t bolt.
*
Charles awoke thenext morning to the sound of Cathryn throwing up. She was in the bathing chamber, but it was so forceful it could be heard anywhere in the suite. He pondered what might be wrong with her. They hadn’t eaten at the party, so it wasn’t that. The champagne? They’d had it before, and it’d never bothered her. Perhaps it was her nerves. Yesterday had been a stressful day for her, especially the confrontation with her mother. That was probably it.
With this going on, he wondered if they should leave today. Grabbing his robe, Charles made his way to the bathing chamber. When he opened the door, she was sitting on a chair with a basin in front of her.
“I couldn’t help but hear you. Anything I can do?”
“I’ll be fine. I think the worst is over. I’m going to take a bath and then dress.”
“Do you think you’ll be up to traveling today?” he asked.
“Yes. If you wouldn’t mind, would you have some toast and tea sent up? That should help tremendously.”
He nodded. “Of course. I’ll get Frazier to take care of it.”
“Thank you. Now go finish getting dressed and have breakfast. Then we can leave,” Cathryn said.
Again he nodded, not really sure what to say. He’d rarely been sick in his life and hadn’t been around others who were. He hoped he wasn’t missing anything, and should he leave her byherself? Too many questions. Frazier might have the answers to a lot of them. He always did.
He needed to look for his valet. Cathryn needed tea and toast.
Charles found him readying his clothes for the day. “Would you mind having some toast and tea sent up here? Lady Cathryn is feeling poorly. Too much champagne last night and no food.”
Frazier nodded and was gone. Charles decided to use the time to dress himself. His valet would want to do a shave, which he didn’t mind most of the time.
The valet returned faster than Charles anticipated. “Tea and toast are on the way. So, tell me about last evening. Was she as wonderful as she sounds here?”
“More. She was extraordinary,” Charles replied.
“I imagine the Prince and Princess of Wales were enthralled.”
