Page 84 of The Earl's Bluestocking Bride
Andrew crossed his arms. “And if she worsens?”
“Then send word, and I will come straight away.”
He didn’t seem concerned, and Amelia couldn’t help but be impressed by the doctor’s unwavering gaze as he met Andrew’s eyes.
“Should someone stay with her during the night?” she asked.
The doctor considered this and then nodded. “It’s likely unnecessary, but it would be a wise precaution if you’re worried she may take a turn for the worse.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Kate said.
Andrew rested his hand on Amelia’s shoulder. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she said. “I won’t be able to sleep anyway.”
“Then that would be much appreciated.” He gave Amelia’s shoulder a slight squeeze.
Perhaps it was selfish of her, but she was pleased that she’d be able to share a bed with him tonight. His presence was always comforting.
Andrew walked the doctor out, and then he dragged a chaise in from the library, and Amelia brought Kate a pillow and blankets so she could be as comfortable as possible while Lady Drake slept.
Andrew and Amelia made their way to his bed soon after. They didn’t make love that night, but they did hold each other until they drifted off to sleep.
When Amelia woke, the gray light of dawn was upon them. Andrew was still sleeping soundly beside her, so she slipped out from beneath the covers, doing her best not to wake him, and padded down the corridor to Lady Drake’s chambers.
As soon as she entered, she knew something was wrong. Not with Lady Drake, but with Kate. Only her face was visible from within a nest of blankets on the chaise, and it was flushed, with beads of sweat at her hairline. Shudders racked her body, and she was whimpering quietly.
Whatever had made Lady Drake sick must be catching.
Amelia summoned Margaret, and together they got Kate to her bedchamber and into bed. Torn between whether to start a fire to warm Kate or open the window to cool her, Amelia chose to do neither until Andrew was awake to act as a sounding board.
Margaret stayed with Kate, dabbing her forehead with a cold compress while Amelia went to check on Lady Drake. The older woman was in better condition than she had been last night. While she remained unconscious, she wasn’tshivering or sweating, didn’t seem to be in any pain, and her temperature had come down a little.
Perhaps Dr. Tanner had been right that this illness would resolve itself within a couple of days.
Amelia ran her fingers over the sheets and, finding them damp, requested a new set from a maid. Together, they changed the bedding, shifting Lady Drake from one side to the other to allow them to work around her.
When Andrew ventured out of his bedchamber, she broke the news, and he insisted on summoning the doctor to check on both women.
Unfortunately, the doctor didn’t have anything new to offer. He was optimistic about Lady Drake’s recovery and believed that Kate would also begin to heal soon.
Amelia split her time between Kate’s and Lady Drake’s bedchambers. She made sure they remained at a pleasant temperature, that their bedding was clean and dry, and attempted—unsuccessfully—to feed them broth.
By the time evening came around, she was exhausted. As usual, she ate dinner with Andrew in the morning room, but she struggled to keep up a lively conversation. Her head dropped every now and then as sleep tried to claim her. Andrew moved around to her side of the table and spoon-fed her sticky toffee pudding.
“Sorry,” she murmured.
“Don’t be.” He kissed her temple. “I appreciate you being so attentive to them all day. Taking care of you is the least I can do.”
A glow started somewhere inside her, and she smiled tiredly. “Thank you.”
“What say we get you to bed?” he said.
“That sounds lovely.”
He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and helped her to her feet. They made their way up the stairs slowly, one step at a time.
As soon as they were in her bedchamber, she hurried straight to the bed and flopped onto it face down. Fingers brushed her back, and she realized he was undoing her dress. Much as she’d helped Lady Drake last night, he assisted her in undressing and climbing into bed.
