Page 99 of Her Duke's Second Chance

“No, you are right. She did. We took her for granted a lot of the time.”

Robert frowned. “Do not speak of her in that way. As if she is no longer here.”

Daisy blanched. “I am sorry. I did not mean to imply…”

“No, I know. I am sorry for being sharp. I suppose I am more anxious than I wish to admit.”

Her face softened. “Of course, Your Grace.”

“Please,” he shook his head, “this is not the time for formality. Call me Robert, or Emberford if that is too informal.”

She beamed, straightening up. “I should like to call you Robert.”

He smiled and nodded. “Good.”

“You may call me Daisy.”

He bowed. “Thank you.”

“I have never really felt like a lady anyway. We did not attend any comportment classes or learn to play a musical instrument like most ladies of the ton.”

“And despite that, you are quite well-comported.”

She smiled, looking down at her sister. “Yes well…again, Georgiana made sure I knew how to behave in polite company.”

“And from whom didshelearn?”

“From my mother’s lady’s maid. Even at our poorest, mother always made sure she had one.”

“That is…interesting.”

Daisy pursed her lips. “I always knew my family was a bit…eccentric, but I did not care. I did not have much to do with society before this year, so I was unaware of how much it mattered. Or how other people lived. I thought our family was normal.”

“I suppose we all think that until we come across other people. Who is to say what ‘normal’ is?”

Daisy nodded. “Indeed.”

From the bed, Georgiana emitted a painful groaning sound. They both paused, not talking, not even breathing, just watchingher, but she continued to sleep. Daisy exhaled first. “We must be patient,” she said in a muted voice.

Robert nodded, turning his head away so she could not see his despair. It was one thing to say Georgiana would be fine, that she would wake up soon, that she was not severely injured, but the truth was, they just did not know.

How long can one go without food before they die?

When Georgiana had not awakened by the next morning, Robert summoned Mrs. Green. “Is there any way we can get some broth down her throat? A way we can feed her?”

The housekeeper frowned. “I am not entirely sure, Your Grace. We can first try with a bit of water and see if she will swallow it. If we are successful, I can make some bone broth for her to sip.”

“Yes, please do. Let us start with water.”

Mrs. Green carefully poured water into Georgiana’s mouth, massaging her throat to help her swallow, while Robert held her upright so she would not choke. He watched Georgiana keenly for any sign of awareness, but she was completely slack in his arms.

They were successful in getting the water down her throat, so tiny spoonful by tiny spoonful, Mrs. Green fed her some broth.

“Will it be enough to sustain her?” Robert asked, his face creased with worry.

Mrs. Green just let out a long sigh, shaking her head, “I do not know, Your Grace.”

He gently eased her back into a supine position, and for the first time in a long time, he considered praying.

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