Page 34 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
Emma knew she had made the right decision and hoped that Leo would understand when she explained it. She needed to be here. The lives of some of the little bairns were hanging in the balance.
Days passed, marked by the rhythmic pulse of time and the ceaseless vigil by the children’s side. Some of the staff had left the hospital to care for their own families who were ill. To think that a place of healing and restoration would be gripped by such scarcity, leaving lives hanging in the balance, was an emotional torment for Emma. But within the despair, a flicker of hope emerged, a glimmer of compassion that shone throughthe darkness. She had a renewed sense of purpose when she cared for the first sick child who recovered. She was happy and fulfilled.
Emma had been toiling away for a sennight, and she avoided the despair of the streets of London. She could not escape the tales of death and the stench of London. She did her best for the children. Some were rather unfortunate, for they did not have any visitors. Such was the fear on the streets of London that children had been abandoned there, and Dr. Benedict did not turn them away. He was a compassionate man, one to be admired. Emma’s heart went out to the little lonely souls. She strived to remain hopeful, a prolonged moment of suspended anticipation, praying that the curtain would lift.
Emma had just fed little Polly when she felt herself grow hot. She had been feeling rather warm today, but there had been so much to do that she had not paid much attention. Her mouth felt quite dry, and her lips were parched. She dismissed it as dehydration because she had been reckless in not consuming enough water. Quite silly of her, really. Emma lifted her hand, touched her forehead, and quickly pulled back as if she had been stung. She was feverish. As brave as Emma wanted to be, she was frightened.
What ailed her?
She stood up from her chair, placed Polly on the bed, propped her on her pillows, and covered her with a sheet. Emma thought some color was returning to Polly’s cheeks. The poor mite. In an instant, the room began to spin, and she had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She felt the perspiration on her skin. Emma did not need to place her hand on her forehead to confirm it was indeed there. Emma stretched out her hand to hold on to the bed to steady herself, but she felt nothing. The darkness enveloped her, and the world turned dark before she crumpled into a heap on the floor.
Hardwick Hall, Staffordshire
The newsof the blue death ravishing the country reached Leopold. He was beside himself with worry. He hoped that all was well at Adlington Hall, and he was at least reassured that Emma had given her word that she would not indulge in healing. He would not have been able to control his anxiety otherwise. That was his saving grace. She would keep herself and the children safe at Adlington Hall. He was waiting on his man of business, and once they had gone through the final ledgers, he could return home. He would make haste and travel in his carriage alone.
There was a knock on the library door that interrupted his musing. No doubt his man of business had arrived.
“Come in.” Leopold raised his head in expectation.
He raised a brow when his butler entered. “Yes, Alford.”
“A letter had arrived for you, my lord, and the bearer said it was quite urgent,” Alford said as he walked purposefully toward Leopold.
Leopold stood up abruptly from his desk, his chair making a scraping sound on the wooden floor. His heart began to hammer in his chest. He wondered at the urgency of the news. He took the letter from Alford and saw that the seal was from Adlington. He hurriedly broke the seal, a slight tremor in his hands.
Dear Leopold,
It is with regret that I must tell you that the marchioness is ill. I feel quite dreadful, for it is all my fault. You see, it was I who encouraged her to do something to help the poor,unfortunate souls who were ill. The marchioness went to see Dr. Benedict, believing she could help the children there. She had written to me to let me know that she was not caring for the children with blue death, and I suppose she felt quite safe there. I have just received word from Dr. Benedict. The marchioness is abed, and he summons you to London forthwith.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Cora
Emma had not remained at Adlington Hall. Leopold’s knees trembled, and he sat abruptly on his chair. He did not wish to believe the words set out before him, so he read them again. The words were indeed true and filled him with the same dread. He could not accept that this was happening to him again. His whole world was about to implode.
Damn it to hell!How could she defy him?
“Have the groom ready my horse, Alford. I will leave forthwith. You will inform Mr. Bailey that an urgent matter requires my attention, and I must reschedule our meeting today.”
“As you wish, my lord.” Alford spun around and dashed from the room to do Leopold’s bidding.
Leopold stood, poured himself a generous glass of whisky, and downed it in one swallow. He needed the fortification. His mind was running amok with thoughts of Emma, but he must pull himself together. He was finally in a good place in his life. A few months ago, he did not believe he could possibly find happiness, that a light could shine through his loss and despair, yet it had. Emma had broken through this barrier, and he did not want to think about what his life would be if she were lost to him. Lost just like everyone else that he had loved.
What the hell was she thinking?She was willful and obstinate. He had poured his heart out to her and shared with her more than he had ever shared with another human being. The intimate details of his life and his potential ruin. Did she not understand? While they had not been together for a long time, he hoped they had been together long enough for her to at least respect his wishes. She had given him her word. Did it count for naught? Leopold’s heart raced wildly, and his stomach was knotted with tension. He was angry, but he was also afraid.
He poured himself another drink and tried to ignore his trembling hands. He swilled it in much the same fashion as the first. Why could she not listen to his words of caution? His horse must be ready. Leopold bounded down the stairs and found Alford already waiting at the door. As he approached, Alford held out a satchel.
“The cook has prepared something for you to eat on your journey, my lord,” Alford said with a softening in his voice.
Leopold was not sure if he would be able to eat. He reached out and accepted the satchel. “Thank you, Alford. Please express the same to Cook.” Without further ado, Leopold mounted his horse and guided it down the path, leaving Hardwick Hall in a plume of dust. He had contributed to Dr. Benedict’s charity, and Emma had been working with a group of ladies to raise further funds to help to support the charity, but Leopold could not fathom why she went to work there. He suspected Dr. Benedict allowed Emma to tend to the children because he believed Emma had Leopold’s blessing. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Leopold wondered … should he have done more? But what more could he possibly have done?
A few days later, Leopold arrived at Dr. Benedict’s hospital for sick children. He had been frantic with worry. He had not slept. He was exhausted and anxious to learn of Emma’s fate.He had traveled as much as possible on the outskirts of London and ensured he wore a scarf to cover his nose and mouth to protect him from the miasma. The malodor was oppressive and unpleasant. He was gripped with fear as his mind raced with all the possibilities. On his journey, he passed many people in mourning as they laid their loved ones to rest. He fought the feelings of melancholy.
Upon his arrival, Leopold was asked to wait in Dr. Benedict’s library. Although he had been shown a comfortable armchair, he could not sit. He found himself pacing and occasionally glanced at the medical volumes that adorned the bookshelves behind the physician’s desk. He glanced at them but read nothing. His unfocused eyes stared unseeing.
The door opened, and Leopold spun around to face it.
