Page 40 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
Emma nodded. “Yes, I must. I understand Lord Adlington was here.”
“He was, and he was very attentive. I will send him a note to let him know you are fully awake. He was dreadfully worriedwhen he was here yesterday. The entire episode has taken a toll on him as well,” Dr. Benedict replied.
Emma felt a bit guilty when she considered the physician’s last words. If only she had not left Adlington Hall, but it was too late to think that way now. She had left; in her opinion, it was for a good cause. She had disobeyed Leo and gone back on her word, yet she was sure that he would understand when she explained it all to him. Her decision had come from a place of benevolence.
Emma was curious, and she was compelled to ask Dr. Benedict. “Does Lord Adlington know about the baby?”
“He does. He was delighted to receive the news,” Dr. Benedict replied.
The corner of Emma’s mouth lifted in a smile. “He is keen to start a family. I must say that I am quite famished.”
He immediately stood up from the chair. “You have had nothing but broth for a few days, so I will arrange for Lily to bring you something more substantial.”
“That is very thoughtful; I certainly appreciate it,” Emma replied.
“Is there anything that you need?” he asked as he turned toward the door.
Emma closed her eyes for a moment. “Apart from some sustenance and to see my husband, no. Thank you.”
“I will see to it then. I must reinforce this, my lady. You do need to rest so that you can recuperate fully,” he replied.
Emma cast the physician a reassuring smile. “I understand, Dr. Benedict. I will not leave this bed today.”
“Very well.” Dr. Benedict turned and exited the room.
Emma was left with her thoughts. She wondered how best she would explain what she had done to Leopold. Was there a right way to explain how a wife had deliberately disobeyed her husband when she had given him her word? Leopold had opened himself up to her. He had bared his soul. He explainedwhy he was overly cautious and made the decisions he did. She told him she understood, and she did. Nonetheless, she knew her actions would be interpreted as willful waywardness.
Delinquent. That is how Leopold would describe her for abandoning Adlington Hall, her duties, and her siblings. The feeling of being suffocated by the confines of marriage rose to the surface. It reminded her why she did not want to wed in the first place. As soon as Emma formed the thoughts, she dismissed it. There was no point in her thinking about not being wed, for she was. She was no longer free to do as she pleased the moment she wed. Not within the confines of this society where women were powerless. Not when women had to rely on the goodwill of men.
Emma’s thoughts were suffocating her. She had no rights, no self-determination. Her role was to be a marchioness and run her household. She was wed, so she had no property, no means. She moved her hand over her stomach in a circular motion. She was to bear an heir. She had managed to fulfill that duty, yet she almost cocked it up. She could not bear to think about it. She would not have forgiven herself if it had ended in a disaster. She was relieved and grateful that the baby was still there and prayed it would thrive. She must take care now that she had the baby to think about.
As soon as Emma was able, she would return to Adlington Hall. She would inform Leopold when he came to see her. Grudgingly, she had to admit that on this occasion, Leopold was right. She behaved recklessly. He would not be pleased with her behavior, but he would be ecstatic about the baby, and she could not wait to speak with him about it.
Emma’s eyelids grew heavy; as much as she struggled to keep them open, she could not. She thought of closing them for just a short time to refresh herself. Lily was due to return with herbreakfast at any moment. As Emma’s eyes closed, she pictured Leopold.
Why was he not here?
CHAPTER 17
The following morning, Emma awakened to find Lily with her breakfast. She was rather hungry, and she ate her fill. When Lily had cleared away the breakfast tray she decided to get up from the bed. She had taken Dr. Benedict’s sound advice and stayed in bed yesterday, but today, she felt she had had enough of lying prone. She was abed for far too long. Emma gingerly stood on her feet, and her legs started to wobble. She felt terribly weak.
Goodness gracious!
Emma swayed on her feet, but she was determined to remain standing. She wanted to renew her strength so that she could return home. Emma moved rhythmically backward and forward, yet when she looked down at her feet, she had not moved. Her body had grown hot as if the fever she had worked so hard to dispel had returned. Emma’s stomach churned, beads of perspiration sprung up on her forehead, and she felt like she would lose her breakfast.
The room began to spin, and Emma held out her hand only to find there was nothing for her to hold onto to steady herself. Her vision completely faded to black, and her heart beat wildlyin her chest. Emma was uncertain if she had complete control over her body. She commanded herself to sit down and felt a fleeting sense of comfort when she managed to accomplish it. Her stomach clenched, and she drew deep breaths in through her mouth. Slowly, her sight began to return as the blackness faded before the walls of the room came into focus. Suddenly, just as Emma started to feel better, her hearing faded out, and she fell backward onto the bed.
Emma opened her eyes. She understood she had fainted. It was foolish to push herself beyond her capability. She was a healer and she knew better. She wanted to get home to Adlington Hall which she so readily abandoned. Slowly, she sat up, but all her limbs felt slack. Her stomach began to churn, and she started drooling. Her stomach was not settled. She quickly reached for the small basin beside her on the table. She used it and rinsed her mouth afterward. She knew this was a common ailment for a lady with child. She took small sips of water and decided she would not have another morsel of food until this dreaded feeling passed. She lay in bed wishing that Leopold had come. She remained there until the nausea passed. There was no doubt that the fatigue and the dizziness that she experienced were related to the baby.
An hour later, a knock on the door interrupted her musing.
“Come in,” Emma replied.
“I am here to straighten the room, my lady,” Lily said.
“Of course,” Emma replied.
Lily entered the room and busied herself, taking the basin away and bringing fresh drinking water. When she returned, she had fresh linen for Emma’s bed. Lily placed Emma’s arm on her own and guided her to the chair. Emma sat slowly. She felt much better than the first time she stood, which was a positive sign. She asked Lily the question that had been niggling in her mind.
