“I’m going to bed now. Please bring in my telescope and set it in the parlor. It will need to be dried off, as the change in temperature may cause condensation and I don’t wish it to be ruined.”
“I will do it myself, my lady.”
She gave him a full smile. “I know I can depend upon you.”
He gave her a short nod before disappearing into the parlor.
Now to ready herself for bed. She ascended the grand staircase and was halfway to her rooms before she sneezed again. Quickly, she wiped her nose and ducked into her room, where her maid awaited her. Now that she had warmed considerably, she could look forward to her husband’s visit with due excitement.
Chapter Ten
Darius put downthe letter from his youngest brother. Anthony was enjoying married life, but it had not kept him from his usual wanderings. He’d written to say that he planned to visit Hawthorne as soon as he and his wife returned from Scotland. It appeared that Ellie had invited Anthony and Lisette for Christmastide. Darius should probably confer with his wife to discover what her plans were, exactly. The last thing he needed was a house filled with family if a black mood came upon him.
He set down the letter and sipped his coffee. Now that he felt normal again, which always took a couple of days after returning home, he looked forward to continuing his courtship of his wife, though after the kiss last night, he was ready to consummate their marriage sooner rather than later. Ellie’s boldness had taken him aback because it was so unexpected, but he was quite pleased. If she enjoyed their bed together like she enjoyed everything else, he could see a relatively content life ahead for them. That was not something he’d ever envisioned for himself.
That she was pleased with his gift was quite obvious. It had been hard to walk away after having just a taste of her, but he didn’t want to take her in the garden at night, in the cold, for their first time together. He’d gone to her room later in the evening, but she wasn’t there. Assuming she was in the nursery, he’d left disappointed.
He glanced at the clock on the mantel in the dining room. It was getting rather late. Did she not sleep well? He waved the footman over to send for her, then thought better of it. “Never mind.”
Rising, he dropped his napkin on the table before heading upstairs to her rooms. This was a perfect opportunity to further his pursuit. He smirked at himself. He was accomplishing everything backward. Usually, the wooing preceded the seduction, which preceded the marriage. It was rather more enjoyable his way, though not without its pitfalls.
As he approached the door to Ellie’s room, he heard voices. It must be her maid. He was reaching for the doorknob when a loud sneeze had him halting. His whole body tensed. Surely fate would not be so unkind as to take another wife from him. He pulled his hand back.
Images of his late wife from before she’d passed crowded his mind. Her harsh coughing and gasps for breath still echoed in his head. Her last words were that she was glad she’d finally be free of him. The physician said her lungs had given out. Remembering what Ellie had said about bleeding, he now wondered if that had made Dinah too weak.
He shook himself. Ellie wasn’t weak, and he doubted she’d allow a physician to bleed her, but he must find out how he could help. Grabbing the knob again, he turned it and stepped into the room, surprised to find not the maid but Mrs. Torbett.
“My lord.” The woman rose from the chair next to Ellie’s bed.
In a glance, he noticed the curtains were wide open, the sun streaming in the room, the fire burned warm in the fireplace, and his wife sat up in bed, her bright hair pulled back by a simple peach ribbon, complementing the smile on her face. “Darius. What a surprise.”
He stepped into the cheery room, a little confused. “You are not well?”
A blush filled her face. “I’m fine. I stayed outside last night enjoying your gift so very much that I couldn’t seem to stop gazing at the stars. Oh, and I viewed the Cat’s Eye Nebula for the first time. Darius, it was wondrous. Did you know that the nebula—”
“Your health?” He didn’t bloody care a damn about the nebula. He strode forward, anxious to look at her closely.
“I’m perfectly fine. But your housekeeper is insisting I stay abed. Could you please speak with her? I have much to do.”
He looked to Mrs. Torbett. “My lord, my lady has been sniffling, and I simply don’t want her to feel worse. You must agree with me. Staying abed for a day can only help.”
Pushing away thoughts of Dinah’s last days, he studied his wife. She appeared twice as healthy as anyone else under his roof, yet he was not one to take a risk. He trusted his housekeeper, as she’d proven herself worthy. “I must agree with Mrs. Torbett. It is best to err on the side of caution.”
Ellie blew air out between her lips as she crossed her arms.
“I’ll return later, my lady.” Mrs. Torbett scurried out, obviously not willing to engender anymore of Ellie’s displeasure.
“Truly, Darius, there is nothing to worry about. I just have a bit of a sniffle. I will say, your handkerchief was very helpful last night.” She gave him a bright smile.
“Are you having trouble breathing? Any coughing? Do you have a fever?” He’d thought he’d convinced himself she would feel better soon, but her nose was red, so he stepped next to the bed to examine her more closely.
“My breathing is very good. I haven’t coughed, and I don’t have a fever. Here.” She took his hand and set it to her head, her neck, and then her arm. “See?”
The softness of her skin distracted him, but he did recognize that she had no fever, which was a great relief. “Then you must rest and get well.”
She released his hand and waved away his comment. “Not at all. I am willing to stay in bed, but there is too much to do. I’m so glad we made our wedding rounds and I’ve met the tenants and neighbors, or I’d have to insist on going out. As it is, taking a day from my duties will put me behind. Besides, if I sleep all the day then I’ll be awake all night.”
At her statement, he realized that being awake part of the night was what he’d hoped for. Obviously, he must wait for her to feel better before joining her in her bed. Despite his disappointment, he was relieved that she was not seriously ill and did plan to stay abed. “And what do you plan to do in your bed all day?” Even as he asked the question, his own mind filled with far too many inappropriate ideas.
