A new diet had been prescribed, along with some modern mineral treatments—and the occasional bloodletting that Nicholas abhorred. Amelia was often tired when Louise finished her work. But it had been a month since she had experienced her last convulsions, and her issues with tiredness and memory seemed to improve by the day.
“Do you think the renovations will be done by the time we return home?” Amelia asked, snuggling closer to him.
He kissed her temple. “Are you longing for Riverside Court already?”
“And why should I not? Oxfordshire is the most beautiful place in the world.”
“For many years, Oxford society tried to shun you,” he pointed out.
“But that was then, and this is now,” she said emphatically, glancing up at him with eyes the same shade as the sea before them. “My work is there, and my family.”
“Not your brother,” Nicholas said, yawning. “He intends to settle in London.”
“And shall we go with him?”
“Why ever should we?”
“Because you love London,” she cried.
“Yes, but I love you so much more, my darling. And so long as you wish to refresh Riverside Court, that is where we shall remain.” He closed his eyes, but his peace was quickly broken by the thought of his brother. “Though I suppose it would be wise to sojourn a while during the Season.”
“To ensure your brother finds an appropriate wife?”
“Hm,” he agreed.
“That might not be necessary. They tend to be found in the most peculiar of places.” She laughed softly, then groaned, signalingto him that they were no longer alone with a pat on the side. “They are back.”
“So they are,” Nicholas drawled, drawing Amelia back into him. “But while they remain hazy silhouettes on the horizon, I will hold you, as you are mine.”
The sun crested over the isle as night approached. Amelia walked arm in arm with Louise up the cliffside stairs to their rented cottage. Below on the beach, the staff cleared away their dining table, bringing up the empty wine bottles and dinner plates behind them.
“What if I come to you tomorrow morning,dès le réveil?” Louise asked, patting her sister-in-law on the arm. Their husbands walked ahead of them, laughing at a joke Amelia had missed. “I know it hurts you, dear. But the earlier in the day we proceed with the treatment, the earlier you will recover.”
“Yes,” Amelia assented. With her free hand, she pulled up the fallen sleeve of her glove to conceal the scars the lancet had left. “That is fine, thank you. So long as I can get a good night’s rest tonight, all will be well for the morning.”
“They are tiring when they are together.” Louise nodded toward the men, a smile warming her elegant features. Her dark brown hair took on an auburn hue in the evening light. “It is difficult to believe that they were once the fiercest enemies. But that is whatFrederick told me. He despised the duke for taking you as his wife. And yet you are perfectly matched.”
“Do you believe so?” Amelia asked, beaming.
The cottage came into view, a secluded stone lodge on the edge of the cliff. The gardeners were finishing their chores behind the house, the area humming with the soothing sounds of late-day activity.
Freddy moved inside alone, while Nicholas lingered at the door, waiting for Amelia. She felt Louise stop her and waved at him to let him know they required a moment alone.
“Have you spoken to him about what we discussed?” Louise asked, dropping her voice low. “It is always a delicate subject, but one which is necessary to be spoken about between man and wife. It requires complete transparency. Youth is the deciding factor in many issues of health. You should not wait unnecessarily if this is something you truly want.”
Amelia nodded, recalling their earlier discussions about the subject. She looked guiltily at Nicholas from afar, her heart longing to be with him even then.
Patient, surprising, doting Nicholas. Will he understand?
“I will tell him tonight,” Amelia decided.
As was his habit, Nicholas knocked on the door of her bedroom once the house had settled. He found Amelia at her vanity table, combing through her hair.
“You realize your late-night visits require the early dismissal of my maid. I must attend to my evening toilette all by myself for the most part,” she groused when he entered. “If I age terribly, you have only yourself to blame.”
He laughed softly and crossed the room, lying on her bed. He patted the space beside him, and Amelia complied with a smile.
“You looked very serious with the viscountess earlier,” Nicholas began, holding her. “Something I should know about?”
