Page 26 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
Alice scurried away to do as Cook bid her. Shortly thereafter, Cook returned with the sheets. They worked in unison to bathe Ada and change her clothes and sheets. Ada promptly arrived with the broth, and Cook roused Ada and fed her. Emma’s heart was full when she saw how pleased Ada was to see her mother. Once Ada was fed and comfortable, Emma gave the child the medicine made from the cinchona bark. She left specific instructions with Alice on how the medicine should be administered.
The sun had set, and it was growing late, so Emma and Cook departed for Adlington Hall. Cook expressed her gratitude and the rest of the journey passed in comfortable silence. Otto greeted them at the door, and it was only then that Emma realized how tired she was. Apparently, the children had retired to bed, and Leo had returned from his business trip.
Emma immediately proceeded to her bedchamber for she wanted to take a bath before she saw Leo. She was very pleased that he was back. She hurriedly climbed the stairs and floated down the hall to her bedchamber, humming a tune.Her breathing was shallow by the time she arrived at her bedchamber.
Emma opened the door to her bedchamber to find Leo sitting in her armchair. “Leo, I …”
“Where have you been, Emma?” A sudden thick chill hung on the edge of his words.
“I went into the village with Cook. You see, Cook’s daughter Ada was ill, and it gave Cook quite the fright.” Emma rushed to explain. She found Leo’s steady gaze disturbing.
“And what did you do there?” His lips were thinned with anger.
She sought to clarify. “I merely helped Cook to tend to Ada. We bathed and fed her. I—”
Leo cut her off. “I am told the child had a fever. Is that correct?”
“Yes,” Emma replied defiantly.
Leo’s nostrils flared with fury. Emma was taken aback by his reaction. She could tell he was angry, but he had not raised his voice. Instead, he seethed with a mounting rage.
“I can see that you are upset.” Emma knew she was stating the obvious but was at a loss as to what else she could say. She wanted calm.
“Of course, I am upset. I came home to find my wife had gone to the village to tend to a sick child who had God knows what ailment. Madam, you put yourself at risk because you do not know if the child has a contagious ailment.” His curt voice lashed at her.
Emma drew a deep breath into her chest before she replied. “Leo, I believe it was ague.”
“Youbelieve?” He spat out with a withering stare.
Emma felt her anger rising, and she swallowed hard to suppress it. She did not want to reveal it. She took in a deepbreath. “Leo, you did not see how distressed Cook was, and I thought to help. And I can tell you the poor child needed it.”
“You do not seem to understand—”
This time, it was Emma who cut him off. “No, Leo. It is you who does not understand. I am a healer and have always believed that this is my special gift. I could not in good conscience know that the child needed me, yet not attend to her.”
Leo abruptly stood up from the chair, making an imposing figure. “You are not a healer anymore, madam. You are my wife, a marchioness. I am aware that you dabbled in this—”
“Dabbled?” How dare he minimize her contribution to her calling. Emma’s heart was hammering and her breathing grew ragged. “I do notdabble. I care for the suffering of others, and I attempt to make them whole.”
“I forbid it!” Leo’s voice was cold and lashing. “You do not seem to understand that you put yourself at risk. Have you considered that the child may not have ague? You could be infected, sick, or worse if she has a contagious disease. You could give it to your siblings and me.”
The words came out in such a torrent that Emma hardly had time to form her words.
“It matters not what you believe about your calling. First and foremost, you are my wife, and you will obey me. See that this not be repeated.”
With those words, Leo left the room and closed the door. Emma stood rooted in the spot; her blood pounded. She was hurt by his words and stung by his tone.
Good heavens!How could they be having such a terrible row, all because she helped a sick child? She could not accept the dull ache of foreboding.
She was supposed to be on her honeymoon, not starting a war with her husband. There was not much that she could donow. He was so angry that he could not see reason. Emma resolved to speak with Leopold when he was calm again. She observed he was still dressed in formal attire so he had not changed since he arrived home. Perhaps he would come to her later this evening, and they could speak about it further.
Emma sighed heavily and rang for her lady’s maid, who assisted her with her bath. She sat before her mirror and brushed her hair. She liked to brush her hair as she found it soothing. She felt cleansed after her bath but no less disturbed by what had transpired between herself and Leo.
She had always known that when she wed, she could not practice healing more widely, but this was Cook’s daughter, for heaven’s sake. This was precisely why she did not wish to wed in the first instance.
Emma’s hand froze between brushes as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She placed the brush on her nightstand, for the reflection that gazed back at her was numb and joyless. Only a few days ago she thought being wed was not so bad after all, but now she dismissed the sentiment.
She felt like she was suffocating, and it was all too much. Emma found it hard to breathe, and it was like a weight on her chest. Her eyes shimmered with tears. She stood up and crawled under the sheets in her bed. She understood that Leo was angry but hoped he would come to her. As time passed, Emma lay restless; she accepted he would not come as the hour grew later. As Emma ached, she wondered how it could all have turned into such a disaster.
