Page 64 of The Duke's Wicked Widow
“Please, Ellie? I know it’ll make you feel better! Plus my tooth might come out!”
The tooth wasn’t loose enough to lose anytime soon, but perhaps the girl was right. Perhaps if Ellie could force herself out of bed and out into the fresh air, she might feel better. “Fine,” she sighed, wiping at her eyes and taking a deep breath. “You go and get ready, I will dress and meet you downstairs.”
Seeing the little girl’s joy was almost enough to lift Ellie’s spirits. Actually, by the time she was upright and had splashed some water on her face, shedidfeel a bit better.
When Purcell came in with another mug of chocolate, Ellie actually managed a smile. “Thank you. That is exactly what I need this morning.”
The maid merely hummed, but there was a skeptical cant to her brow as she crossed to the dressing table to lay out the things to help Ellie prepare herself for the day.
Of course, there were things Ellie needed to do for herself, including using thefacilities.
She was still feeling a little sore, frankly, from last night. When she saw the smear of blood, her first thought was that making love to Fawkes had been too violent.
But it hadn’t been. Despite his anger, she’d still felt protected in the circle of his arms.
Ellie stared, a thick lump in her throat.
If not because of her intimate encounter last night, what could this mean?
Whatelsecould it mean, you ninny? Youarea grown woman, yes? It is not as if someone snuck into your room and poured ketchup into your drawers.
Oh God.
Ellie’s hands shook, and she couldn’t seem to draw a breath. This wasn’t ketchup, and it wasn’t because of Fawkes.
This was her courses.
Purcell must’ve seen her pause, for she peered over her shoulder. “Well, it looks as if you are not pregnant after all,” she declared, sounding positively gleeful. “If you will excuse me for a moment, my lady, I have to go…check on something.”
Have to go tell everyone, more likely.
Ellie wasn’t pregnant. Her whole body shook now, although she couldn’t be certain why. She tried to remain calm as she cleaned herself and slowly dressed as well as she could, then sank down onto the edge of the bed.
She wasn’t pregnant.
Well. This explains the uncontrolled tears. And the stomach cramps. And the craving for chocolate.
Her gaze flicked to the now-cool mug on her tray. Yes, she supposed that was true. This horrid way she was feeling now really wasn’t so different from the way she—and her sister Georgia—always felt on the first day of their cycle.
But being able to explain it didn’t make her feel any better.
Her lower back ached, her head pounded, and her muscles felt as if she’d run a great distance. And she wasn’t pregnant.There was no child.
What would she do now?
Well, Merida was still waiting for her. With Purcell’s eventual help—the maid seemed far smugger than necessary—Ellie made her way downstairs. And came face-to-face with the butler.
His stern expression hid his true feelings when he gestured toward the study. “The Earl wishes to see you, my lady.”
Her father-in-law. Rufus’s father. The man who wanted his younger son to become the next Viscount Cumnock.
The man who had turned his back on his older sister and her son when she bore that son out of wedlock.
The man who made it clear he would turn his back on me.
Head held high, Ellie swept into the sitting room.
The Earl didn’t bother making small talk. “I have refrained from passing judgement on you because of your claim that you might carry my son’s heir.”
