Page 33 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
Bloody hell. He knew it would be hard to tear himself away from her. He propped himself up against the pillows and gazed at her.
“Shall we have dinner shortly?” he asked, and this time, he really had sustenance in mind.
“Yes. I am thoroughly famished.” There was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
“You will be the death of me, woman,” Leopold said with a chuckle.
They had dinner in Emma’s bedchamber and discussed the latest gossip and a bit of political news. They sat in bed propped up on the pillows, sipping wine and enjoying each other’s company. They made love until the wee hours of the morning until they both were exhausted.
Leopold was loath to leave her, and he hoped her father would arrive soon so that Emma could join him. The time away would pass easier, for he knew she anxiously awaited his return. He got wed because he knew the time had come but was quite content. No longer would he feel like he was on the fringes of thehaut tonsurrounded by happy couples, envying what they had. He only needed an heir to complete his happiness, and he hoped it would not be long before he welcomed his child.
CHAPTER 14
Adlington Hall,Cheshire
The terrifying blue death had struck again without warning. It had come up on people with a vengeance. London and all the large towns were terribly affected. The east of London was particularly notorious, and the situation had worsened in many northern cities. The desperate conditions were said to be catastrophic in the old part of Manchester where there was such filth, ruin, and uninhabitableness. The disease ravaged the people, who were a mess of bodily fluids, lethargy, erratic heartbeats, sunken eyes, and dry and shriveled skin with a characteristic bluish tinge. It had spread so rapidly that the physicians were challenged by its rapid advancement. The physicians believed that the disease was caused by the presence of a miasma in the air, a poisonous vapor containing suspended particles of decaying matter that had a foul smell. Emma realized that although the physicians had this knowledge, it had done very little to stem the loss of life.
It was said that the disease spread from one person to another because the families of those who fell ill and those whocared for the sick often fell ill and died. Emma was distressed to see that so many people had lost their lives as wave upon wave of the illness passed through the population. The blue death was no respecter of age as many mothers mourned their babies. At the same time when the blue death was destroying lives, the country was plagued with the ‘speckled monster’ known by the name because of its distinctive blister-like rashes. Those who did not succumb to it were blinded or otherwise scarred for life.
Emma was walking in the garden when Cora came to find her. Cora was breathless, for she had hurried down the path.
“I had a letter from father today, Emma. He said he is doing well, but we have lost two servants. Cora was agitated. “I am worried for him.”
“Do not fret, Cora. I am sure he will be fine.” Emma said as she tried to reassure Cora. She hoped her words would be the truth.
Cora’s voice broke. “He speaks of … of many deaths. This is a painful tragedy for many families. I wish there were something that I could do to help.”
Emma reached out and held Cora’s hand. “You are all safe at Adlington Hall, Cora, and you should remain here.”
Cora’s eyes searched Emma’s face. “Do you not want to help, Emma?”
“Of course, I do,” Emma replied.
“Then why are you not helping? You have always said that your healing is a gift. It is there to help others who are less able to help themselves. These are the very people that are dying. Do you not see!” Cora’s voice had risen with her impassioned plea.
Emma sighed. “Cora, it is not as simple as you say.” Cora was very much at the age of innocence.
“Whyever not?” Cora demanded.
Emma sucked her cheeks in and licked her lips. “I am a married lady, the Marchioness of Adlington, and I cannot just doas I very well please. I promised Leopold that I would not engage in healing.”
“Since when have you listened to anyone, Emma? You have always followed your heart and done whatever you wanted.”
Emma gave Cora’s hand a comforting squeeze and patiently explained. “That was when I was at home, caring for you and father. Now, I am wed and responsible for the estate. I cannot just leave Adlington Hall, especially as Leopold is away. At any rate, if he were here, he would not allow me to go. Do you not remember what happened the last time when I went to care for Cook’s daughter?”
Cora had let go of Emma’s hand and ran toward the house. Emma did not stop her. Uncertainty swirled within her as Cora faded from sight. Later that evening at supper, Emma ensured there was no talk of the plague while they had their meal. There was no need to frighten the smaller children. She could discuss it with Cora when they were alone. Emma was amused to see that Cora was a bit frosty with her during the meal. The other children did not appear to notice. Emma was tired and she decided to have an early night.
Emma had always felt obligated to pursue what she believed in and dreamt about. She told Leo that she understood why he did not want her to practice healing. Why did she if she did not mean it? If she decided to go, it would negatively affect her. She would be going back on her word to Leo, yet she did not think she was being true to herself if she stayed.
“How can I do nothing amid all this suffering?” she asked herself.
Emma paced around the garden until she had come up with a compromise. She would travel to Dr. Benedict’s hospital and help them to care for the children. She would not assist anyone who had cholera, and that would keep her safe. Leo would not need to worry. She would be perfectly safe.
Nightfall drapedthe city when Emma arrived at the hospital. She was in turmoil. As she approached the entrance, a tinge of apprehension gnawed at her belly. Leopold had donated to the charity, but she did not consider a donation sufficient under the circumstances. The hospital stood as a beacon of hope, a sanctuary for sick children, and a place for parents seeking solace in times of distress.
How could she not be benevolent? She had greater abilities, and as far as she was concerned, there was so much more to be done.
Emma saw the surprise on Dr. Benedict’s face when she appeared, but it was replaced by relief when she offered to care for the children. Dr. Benedict insisted that Emma did not enter the quarantine area, which was reserved for children afflicted with blue death. There was still plenty for her to busy herself with, for not all the children were afflicted with the dreaded disease. She diligently went about her tasks. Her heart ached at the sight of the fragility of life laid bare before her eyes.
