How she made it to bed, she did not know.
The morning of her wedding, rain came down in sheets.
And Minnie was far too cheerful. “Wake up, miss. You will become a countess today.”
Leonie felt as if her arms and legs had turned to lead. Her mouth tasted funny. She did not want to open her eyes.
She did not want to marry today.
Minnie threw open the drapes. Leonie managed to lift one eyelid. There was no sun to liven the room.
“I’ll bring a tray up with your breakfast, miss,” Minnie said. “Your mother ordered a bath prepared. The footmen will be up any moment.”
Leonie’s response was to put a pillow over her head.
There was a knock on the door and she heard the tub being set up and pails of water being poured into it. She stayed right where she was.
The door shut.
“They are gone, Miss Leonie,” Minnie said. “You need to bathe now. I’ve brought your breakfast. We must hurry. The hour for you to be married will be here in a blink.”
Leonie groaned and sat up. That was a mistake. She must have moved too quickly. Her head felt as if two hundred bricks were sitting on top of it.
“You look as if you need a cup of tea,” Minnie said. She hurried to make it the way Leonie liked and carried it to the bed.
Taking a sip, Leonie made a face. Her tongue felt fuzzy and thick.
“The water is exactly right,” Minnie said, testing the bathwater.
“I will try it,” Leonie said. Minnie’s happy anxiousness was very annoying. “Is my dress ready?”
“Yes, miss. I pressed it myself this morning.”
“Thank you, Minnie.” Leonie tried another sip of tea. This was not going to help at all. Nor was Minnie’s humming as she busied herself around the bath.
“Minnie, I believe I need some time alone. This will be a very big day.”
“Yes, miss. I’ll leave you alone. You will eat your breakfast? Your mother wished me to ensure you would.”
“I will. Where is my mother?”
“Downstairs. She’s with the guests in the breakfast room.”
Leonie set down the cup and saucer on her bedside table. She forced a smile for her maid. “Go, Minnie. Go.”
“Yes, miss.” Minnie reluctantly left the room, and Leonie fell back on the bed. She would never make it through this day.
She should not have had the wine. Devil’s brew it was. Her head felt terrible.
Shefelt terrible. Especially when she recalled Roman’s announcement that they were leaving London. He would not honor her request of an agreement.
Her life as she knew it was over. And her head ached. Her bones ached. She did not like wine.
Leonie rose from the bed, needing a moment to steady herself. She took stumbling steps to the breakfast tray. Her stomach almost revolted. She sat down on the edge of the tub. That was not a wise idea. She almost fell in.
Standing again, she wondered what she should do. She had never felt this way on brandy—
An idea struck her, one that put purpose into her step.
