Page 35 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
“My lord, I am sorry that we are meeting in such unfortunate circumstances,” Dr. Benedict announced as he shook Leopold’s hand.
Leo got straight to the point. “How is she, Dr. Benedict?”
Dr. Benedict regarded him, and there was empathy in his voice when he replied. “Please have a seat.”
Leopold reluctantly sat in a chair across from Dr. Benedict’s desk.
“I am afraid she has a persistent fever and has not awoken much in the past three days. She did take a bit of broth earlier today,” Dr. Benedict said.
Leopold raised his hand and rubbed the back of his neck. He had to know. “Is it the blue death? Do you know?” His voice was harsher than he intended.
“Of this, I can assure you, my lord; she is not stricken with that vile disease.” Dr. Benedict replied.
“Then what is it?” Leopold demanded. His frustration erupted as he bounced from the chair.
Dr. Benedict rolled one of his shoulders. He appeared weary. “I can certainly say that we have been going through quite a challenging time here, and it may have been a bit too much for the marchioness. She has not come into contact with the few children we suspected may have the blue death. They were immediately quarantined. She has been caring for some of the others.”
Leopold’s eyes bored into Dr. Benedict’s. The physician had not told him all.
“I gather there is more?” Leopold swallowed.
Dr. Benedict’s gaze darted away. “There is, my lord. The marchioness is with child.”
The words echoed in Leo’s ears …with child? Leo abruptly moved to the armchair and flopped down into it again. He had to sit because he was seized by a dizzy spell and his insides quivered. How could it possibly be that he was the happiest man alive a few weeks ago, and now he may lose it all? He had achieved what he wanted most: a family, but Emma’s selfish actions threatened it.
How could she?The betrayal stung. What if he lost her and the baby? What would be the meaning of life without all of this?
The weather was warm, but no matter. Leopold was cold, and his mouth dry.What would become of Emma and the child?
CHAPTER 15
Leopold gazed up at Dr. Benedict, stunned for a moment. His heart clenched. “I cannot lose them,” he said with more conviction than he felt. He sought reassurance from Dr. Benedict. He needed something to hold on to, anything. “What is your prognosis?”
“I do not see any reason to lose hope, my lord. The marchioness has taken some nourishment, which is encouraging,” Dr. Benedict said, his voice filled with empathy.
Leopold scrubbed his hand over his face and sighed heavily. There remained a dullness in his chest, a feeling of heaviness. What did he do to deserve this pain? Would he yet see his wife and child buried in the earth? He could not bear it. He would not survive this loss.
“I would like to see her.” Leopold heard a hint of anxiety in his trembling voice.
“Of course, my lord. This way.” Dr. Benedict led the way into the hallway and across the landing. The door opened to a comfortable room that seemed dominated by the bed in the middle of it.
Before entering the room, Leopold was upset and angry with Emma, but those emotions faded once he saw her. The hairs raised on his neck, and his legs grew weak. Emma lay under the sheets, still and pale. Leopold hesitantly stepped toward the bed before he was overcome by the overwhelming need to gather her in his arms and hold her close. He would not let her go. He wanted to cherish her. He glanced around the room and found a chair against the wall, close to the bed, and he moved to pull it so that he could sit with her. He reached over and touched her forehead. She was indeed hot. Emma stirred as if in a sleepy slumber but did not wake.
Dr. Benedict cleared his throat. “I will leave you to tend to the other patients, my lord. One of my assistants will come in to see Lady Adlington.”
“Thank you, Dr. Benedict.” Leopold’s eyes did not leave Emma. When he heard the door close behind him, he raised himself from the chair and kissed Emma’s forehead. He sat down and took her hand that was closest to him and held it. Even her hand was hot, and he squeezed it reassuringly. Leopold wished he could take Emma to Adlington Hall, where all her family could surround her, but he was sure the doctor would not allow her to be moved. He chastised himself. It was foolish to even think of it in her condition. He would write to Cora, for he was sure they were all worried about Emma, but only he would hold a vigil by Emma’s bedside. It would be much too risky for anyone else to visit.
Leo was pleased that at least Emma was well taken care of. She had not been bled, purged, or sent to an apothecary to procure medicines. He had faith in Dr. Benedict, and he had a good reputation. Then why was Leopold so worried? Why was his heart thudding as if it would burst from his chest? The poor people of London did not have access to such fine care, and they would be treating their afflicted relatives in their own homes.
If people had no family but had wealth, they could at least guarantee the fulfillment of physical needs while remaining at home. With neither, these unfortunate souls would be relegated to the poorhouse or other institutions for the indigent. These institutions grouped the elderly, indigent, mentally ill, and orphans in the same place, a rather unpleasant place called an almshouse, poorhouse, or asylum. Leo could not complain about his lot because he had never faced poverty. Some firmly believed that, since the disease spread more rapidly through the poorer districts, the wealthy were purposely poisoning the poor. A ridiculous notion if Leopold had ever heard one. The blue death was no respecter of social class. Wealthy people died too.
Leopold clasped his hands under his chin in a gesture of prayer. “Dearest Emma, I am here. I do not know if you can hear me. I hope that you can. Please come back to me, to me and our baby, who I know will be a beautiful child. One who is strong, fierce, and determined just like you.”
Leopold watched and waited, but Emma slept. There was no indication that she heard his plea.
“I will be by your side, Emma. I will be here to see you fully recovered. I will not abandon your care to others.”
Leopold observed a desk and chair with paper, quill, and ink in the room. He moved to the desk, sat down, and wrote a letter.
