CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Abrief knock admitted Celeste just as the sun started to break the horizon. With a sympathetic smile, she asked, “How is he?”
Mara felt her throat burn with emotion. “The same.”
“At least he’s not worse,” she said gently. “Why don’t you let me take over for a bit so you can get some rest?”
“I’m fine,” Mara stated firmly.
“Hardly,” Celeste snorted. “You look like you’re going to fall out of your chair.” She waved a hand. “Now go. I’ll let you know if there’s any change. My chamber is the first door upstairs on the left.”
Mara, seeing as there was no argument to be had, reluctantly trudged up the stairs to Celeste’s private quarters.
Mara’s valise was sitting on the floor by the dressing table, and she opened it to rummage for a nightdress. As she did, a flash of red caught her eye. Shoved in the bottom of her bag was the red cloak and gloves that Roarke had bought her. Tears instantly stung her eyes as she pulled them out. She’d nearly forgotten she’d packed them.
She curled up on the bed and hugged the prized items close to her chest, wishing that they were Roarke instead. She missed him terribly, but there was nothing he could do for her, or for Bentley for that matter.
No, it was better that he wasn’t here. This way she could focus all her energy on B, without worrying about Roarke. But even as she tried to convince herself of this, she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d already returned to London. Perhaps he’d decided to wash his hands of her once and for all and remained at Eversleigh Hall.
The very idea was rather depressing, but perhaps it was for the best if he moved on. No doubt Lavinia would be thrilled.
But then, Mara had a new secret.
She’d hadn’t thought about it much, assuming that the laudanum was to blame for her nausea that morning she’d left Eversleigh Hall, but she had to face the fact that the queasiness in her stomach had yet to fully subside. Not only that, but her courses were late, almost two weeks in fact.
She put a hand over her flat stomach and closed her eyes. She finally admitted the truth—she was going to have a baby. It thrilled and terrified her at the same time, for although she’d carried the fear that she’d end up cast aside like her mother had been, no matter what happened with Roarke, she would always have a part of him with her from this day forward.
With that final thought, she finally allowed sleep to claim her.
* * *
Mara woke up sometime later and for a moment, was confused on what day it even was. She brushed aside the drapes and saw that the sun was just starting to set in the sky. She’d slept the entire day.
An immediate fear for Bentley had her rushing down the stairs. She didn’t even bother to knock as she opened his bedroom door. Pansy glanced up at her entrance and set aside her book. Mara would have been surprised if she wasn’t so concerned for her friend. The housekeeper/butler/cook of the house didn’t strike Mara as a big reader, especially a Gothic novel at that.
But when she opened her mouth, Mara knew that she was still the same grumbling woman.
“Now don’t be gettin’ yer knickers in a twist,” she chided. “He ain’t had no change all day. The Madame and I’s been takin’ good care o’ him. She’s fixin’ us somethin’ t’eat right now. Since you’re here, I’ll be checkin’ on her.”
Without any further ado, she left.
Mara could only shake her head as she went to sit in the vacated chair. While Pansy had claimed there hadn’t been any change in Bentley, she had to believe that his color looked a bit more restored and his breathing might have been a bit easier.
“I hope you’re hungry.” Celeste winked as she came in carrying a tray. She set it down on the side table beside the bed. “Pansy nearly knocked me down in the hall. Whatever did you say to her?”
Mara blinked. “Nothing.”
Celeste shook her head. “The poor woman. Did you know I met her at the workhouse too? She never was one to make friends easily. I think strangers make her nervous.” She glanced at Bentley, studying him for a moment. “I think his color looks improved.”
“I thought so too,” Mara replied.
“He may just pull through after all,” Celeste murmured. “How about you eat while I try to get some more tea down him?”
Mara wasn’t going to argue, for the soup that Celeste had brought smelled heavenly. She was glad to find that it tasted just as good. After a time, Mara glanced at the Madame. “Have you ever thought of…doing anything different, Celeste?”
The other woman shrugged as she lifted Bentley’s head and put the cup to his lips, allowing the liquid to slowly dribble down his throat. “Why, when there’s no point? Once you turn to this life, there’s really no going back.”
Mara held her spoon poised above her bowl, a sudden thought taking root in her head. “But what if you could make a fresh start? Somewhere new? Would you do it?”
