Page 36 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
Dear Miss Cora,
I have arrived at Dr. Benedict’s hospital and seen your sister. I am afraid she does not fare well, but Dr. Benedict is hopeful she will recover. She has a dreaded fever that will not leave her yet; I am grateful the blue death does not afflict her. Unfortunately, the marchioness will remain here until she is fully recovered and it is suitable to travel. I wish she could be at Adlington Hall with you all, but alas this is not possible. Under the circumstances, it is not wise for you totravel here. You must keep safe and care for your siblings. I will keep you apprised of the marchioness’s condition, and I trust that I will soon be able to write about her recovery.
Yours sincerely,
Lord Adlington
Leopold sealed the letter. There were two novels on the left side of the table, and he wondered if Emma had been reading them. He took one of the volumes and studied it. It was titledEmmaby Jane Austen. How peculiar for Emma was reading a book by her namesake. Leopold took the volume, went to Emma’s bedside, sat down, and began to read aloud. He prayed that Emma could hear his voice. Leopold did not know how long he had been reading when he heard a knock at the door.
“Come in,” he replied.
A plump, middle-aged woman entered the room carrying a jug of water. “I am Lily, my lord, here to give Lady Adlington her bath.”
“Thank you, Lily. I will give you some privacy.” Leopold stood and kissed Emma. “I will be back soon.” He marked the page in the volume with a sheet of paper and placed it on the desk. He would continue when he returned. Leopold left a note for Dr. Benedict informing him of his plans to return.
Leopold would retire to the Adlington townhouse and open it up. It had been closed since the season ended. He needed to refresh himself and change the dusty clothes from his grueling journey. He would return and spend the night by Emma’s bedside. He also needed to send a letter to Emma’s father, and as he departed, he thought of the dreadful state of the River Thames. The foulness and the stench. His surroundings were indeed unpleasant. It did not matter. He would remain for Emma. She needed him. There was much being bandied about the dreaded disease. Most people believed that the blue deathwas spread through the air through a cloud-like miasma. There was cause for concern because of the contaminated water, foul air, and poor hygienic conditions. Nonetheless, some thought the disease was a visitation from God and that He was exacting a punishment on them on behalf of their sins. Leopold prayed it was not so.
When he arrived at his townhouse, the staff was surprised, but to their credit, they busied themselves getting his room ready and provided water for a bath. Leopold found a warm bath to be quite relaxing, for it usually released the tension from his body. Not today. His shoulders were so stiff. It was as if they were frozen. His bath was more perfunctory, and he quickly dressed and went to the library. Leopold sat down at his desk and wrote the letters. As soon as he completed them, he went to the dining room and had a light supper before he returned to Dr. Benedict’s hospital.
There had been no change with Emma. A damp cloth had been placed on her forehead, and a cold basin of water was on the side table. Leopold removed the cloth and felt Emma’s forehead. She was still quite warm. He dipped the cloth into the cold water, wrung it, and placed it on her forehead.
Leopold whispered to Emma. “I am back, Emma. I am with you, and I will be by your side all night. Dr. Benedict will not be able to get me to leave even if he puts a gun to my head.”
Leopold retrieved the volume from the table, and as he sat by her bedside, he wondered if he was a fool to get his hopes up. It seemed almost impossible for him to care for someone and for it not to end in a disaster. Was it unrealistic for him to expect anything more? Hope, if not directed in the right path, would cause him great pain and grief.
Nonsense!Leopold dismissed the thought.
He must not be pessimistic. There was hope. Hope is said to be “the remedy for grief and despair.” It allowed him to longfor better days and a fruitful future for Emma and their baby. His hope may flicker or falter, but he would not quit. He must find his inner strength for himself and for Emma. After suffering such tragedy, he dared to dream, and by God, his dream was within reach. His life with Emma was greater than the sum total of their present circumstances. When he was in his deepest despair, the possibility of the journey he had taken with Emma had never even occurred to him. Hope was something everyone needed.
He took Emma’s hand in both of his and raised it to his lips. His large hands made her appear even more feeble. His aspirations had allowed him to appreciate all that was good in the world while it kept him longing for more. He did not only ‘wish’ for what he wanted. He had the will to get there. He had hardly had time to think about the possibility of becoming a father. Leopold desperately wanted to be a father. He felt a bit of excitement, nervousness, and of course worry. He should not be considering it but he could not help but think … if only. If only Emma had remained at Adlington Hall.
Leopold sighed heavily, picked up the novel, and started reading where he left off. He read for several hours. He occasionally stopped and put a fresh cloth on Emma’s forehead. She had not stirred, but he was convinced that more color had returned to her cheeks. He was exhausted so he laid his head on the bed beside her. He only thought to lay his head there for a moment, but he could no longer fight sleep.
He felt someone shake his shoulder. Leopold realized that he had been overcome by fatigue. His energy was sapped. He raised his head, his gaze flitted around the room, never settling on a person or object. Finally, his mind cleared and he peered into the concerned face of Dr. Benedict.
“Good morning, my lord. I have come to see about the marchioness,” Dr. Benedict said.
The corners of Leopold’s lips lifted in a strained smile. “Good morning, Dr. Benedict. I will wait outside.” Leopold exited the room and closed the door, but he did not wish to be far away. He hovered in the hallway close to the door. He swayed slightly where he stood, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Leo hugged himself and tapped his fingers on his arms. He knew that it had not been a long time since the physician started seeing to Emma, but it seemed like forever. He wanted to be inside. He was unwilling to leave, but he must allow the physician to have privacy. Dr. Benedict did not need Leopold hovering over his shoulder. It would be highly improper.
Leopold’s muscles were tightened. He raised his arms to massage his neck and shoulders. It was not long before he started pacing through the hallway. Eventually, the door opened and Leopold hurried inside.
Dr. Benedict spoke in response to the question that Leopold had not asked. “I have some good news. The marchioness has shown some improvement. Her temperature remains high, but I detect it is lower than it was last night.”
Leopold breathed a sigh of relief. “That is indeed good news, Dr. Benedict. I am pleased to hear it.”
“The attendant will be in shortly to sponge the marchioness with more cold water. Your rest would have been quite uncomfortable in that chair, my lord. You may consider returning after you have rested. I hope that when you return, we can have a more favorable response,” Dr. Benedict said as he cast a glance at Emma.
“You are quite right, Dr. Benedict. I will return shortly.” Leo departed the room, but this time there was a lightness in his step and he felt less despondent. Apparently, Emma’s fever would break, and he had to thank the heavens for the small mercy he had been granted.
When he arrived at the townhouse, he recognized the Earl of Easton’s carriage. He was surprised at Easton’s presence for he was not expecting him, yet he was cheered. He longed to speak to his friend. He did not care about his disheveled appearance and the sleepless circles under his eyes. He was just happy to have a friend to commiserate with. As soon as Leopold exited his carriage, Easton came down from his equipage. Clearly, he had just arrived.
“Easton, your timing is quite precise. I have only just returned from Dr. Benedict’s hospital.”
“Adlington, I came as soon as I heard.” Easton’s brows were furrowed and he scrutinized Leopold.
“Please come in. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to see you.” Leopold went up the steps, opened the door, and welcomed Easton inside.
The butler rushed into the hallway, and Leopold asked for refreshments to be served in the drawing room. Once inside, Leopold ushered Easton to a plush leather armchair and sat in the neighboring one.
