“My lady!” Anna started forward then stopped. Wringing her hands, she looked to him, but once again, he didn’t move.
When Eleanor had finished, she handed the empty bottles to the nursemaid. “Bring these down to Mrs. Torbett and have her dispose of them forthwith. These substances are to never to be kept in this house again. Understood?”
The nursemaid nodded, took the bottles, and left the room.
“Now, we shall concentrate on getting better.” Eleanor went back to Peter and sat on the other side of the bed from where Darius stood. She laid her hand over Peter’s forehead. “Your belly has had a rough time. But we are going to make it feel better so you can sleep. By tomorrow, you will be hungrier than an elephant.”
His brow furrowed. “What’s an elephant?” His voice was barely above a whisper.
Darius answered. “It’s an animal as big as a coach. It walks on four legs, has gray, leathery skin, a very small tail, big, floppy ears, and a long trunk. They live in India.”
Peter clearly didn’t believe him. He would have to find a painting of one somewhere and gift it to him. Or maybe he could have a wooden elephant commissioned for St. Nicholas Day.
Eleanor waved away the explanation. “We will learn all about elephants soon, but know that it is a big animal and eats a lot.”
“I’m not hungry,” Peter whined.
“I know, dear. But you will have a little sweet ginger tea, which will soothe your belly, and then you can sleep. Sleep is very important for feeling better.”
Maggie stepped up to the bed and laid a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “I won’t go outside and see the stars until you can too.”
Peter attempted a small smile.
“And I won’t got out to see them either, even though I usually do every night. I am going to wait until you feel better.” Eleanor gave an emphatic nod, sealing her promise. “In fact, I am not going to leave this room until you are feeling better.”
Peter looked at Darius, as he clearly didn’t believe Eleanor. That was of little surprise, since Dinah had never even entered the nursery when one of the children was ill. She’d left it to the servants to take care of the illness, cut, or bruise. Since he had no reason to believe Eleanor would lie, he nodded.
Yet, even as he did so, he found himself moving away from the bed, the realization that they may not consummate the marriage tonight frustrating him. He tried to ignore the panic beginning to swell. He hated that he felt this way, but it was common after his black moods.
Hearing footsteps approaching the nursery, he opened the door to hide his angst, and gave directions to the servants.
Beacham had also returned. “Is there anything else we can do, my lord?”
The man’s concern for his son was appreciated. “Yes. Once I move Peter back to his bed, have the maid change Maggie’s.”
Eleanor turned around to address Beacham. “And tell Mrs. Torbett that I will want a full accounting of all medicinal powders, herbs, tinctures, and tonics that are currently at Hawthorne Park, as well as any herbs, dried or living.”
“I will tell her.” The butler nodded.
“Also, please have a settee or cot brought in. I will remain here with Peter, and if he is not well by evening, I will sleep here.”
Beacham didn’t react at all for a moment, clearly shocked. But he kept his face impassive nonetheless. “May I suggest a quilt and pillow as well?”
“Thank you for thinking of that. It would be most appreciated.”
After the servants left to address their next tasks for his wife, Darius tapped her on the shoulder. “I would like to speak with you.”
She gave a short nod. “I’ll be right over there, Peter.”
His son shrugged his shoulders, but it was clear he was nervous.
Darius walked to the far corner of the room, Eleanor by his side. When they reached it, he kept his voice low. “Do you know what ails him?”
“I am quite sure that he ate too many sugared plums, which made his belly ache. The nursemaid, misguided as she was, tried to help him by giving him ipecac, which caused vomiting, so it only made him feel worse.” Her voice, which had begun quietly, grew a bit louder. “The ginger tea with cinnamon and sugar will not only settle his belly but taste good. After a few hours, if the vomiting has ceased completely, I will have him eat simple toast and more tea.” Now she spoke in normal tones that even the children were sure to hear. “If he has quite recovered by nightfall, then he can eat normally on the morrow.”
He glanced over at his children to see them both listening avidly. He pressed his finger to his lips before asking his next question. “And if it was not the ipecac sherry?”
Her gaze flitted toward the children before returning to him. “Then he will continue to vomit and I will send for the duchess.” Though her voice had returned to a quieter level, her pronouncement shocked him.
