Page 90 of The Scarred Duke's Bride
Mr. Stein sketched a quick bow and turned to leave just as Mrs. Burberry approached with a tray. “I have some soup for Her Grace,” she announced.
Eric stood aside and opened the door for her, inviting her in. “I shall leave you to it then.”
Mrs. Burberry was a very no-nonsense woman, and she would not tolerate anything less than Freya finishing every bit of soup, regardless of her appetite. This contrasted sharply with when either Eric or Isabella tried to feed her. Freya would frown and push away the bowl and refuse to eat. Mrs. Burberry did not tolerate that.
He felt a frisson of guilt as he crept away from the door but told himself that it was for her own good. Now that the doctor had given them carte blanche, he decided to go and talk to Silver, to see whether they would be allowed to stay at Stark Manor until the birth.
He wanted Freya to be somewhere where she felt at peace so that her pregnancy could be as problem-free as possible. He ran into his mother in the corridor as he was getting his coat. “Mama, just the person I need to see. I am thinking of moving us all to the country just as soon as Freya can travel. I do hope you can come with us.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Campbell frowned, “but is it wise to move her in her condition?”
“The physician says it’s all right as long as she rests for a day or two. I am off to consult with Silver, and if he agrees, I thought we could leave by the end of the week. That will give us both enough time to tie up matters that need to be taken care of immediately before we move. Of course, you are free to come and go as you please, but I would like us to be together as a family, at least until things settle down completely.”
His mother gave him a wry smile. “Things rarely settle down completely. But never fear, I take your meaning. And I do understand why you prefer the peace of the country, rather than staying in town, despite the presence of more advanced medical care.”
“Mrs. Beecham is just as capable as Mrs. Burberry. I feel certain she will be able to keep Freya supplied with all the tisanes that Mrs. Burberry has been giving her.”
“I agree. I found her to be very knowledgeable when I was there.” She patted Eric on the shoulder. “Go about your business. I shall prepare the house for departure.”
Eric nodded, kissed her on the cheek, and left.
* * *
The nausea was a constant companion, almost debilitating in its ubiquity. Freya knew that Eric thought she was refusing to eat out of some childish whim, but the truth was that the smell of most foods had her gagging. She did not want to cast up her accounts in front of him, so she simply refused to eat and turned away. It was the same with Isabella, only that she did not want to scare her younger sister, who seemed to always be at a low level of terror at the thought of losing anyone else. With Mrs. Burberry, she did not have to pretend, and the housekeeper had no qualms about her halting the meal in the middle to vomit into the chamber pot before finishing the rest of the soup with gusto.
She still experienced headaches as she could not keep the willow bark tea down, so she appreciated the cooling cloths Mrs. Burberry brought her and put over her eyes.
She found that she was sleeping a lot, which provided relief from the nausea, so she was grateful for it. She was also grateful that nobody bothered her about how much she slept though William or Isabella would sometimes just come and sit with her as she slumbered to keep her company.
But even though she slept, her mind was churning. She felt the need for her and Eric to really talk to each other. Just because he had admitted to making hasty decisions before did not mean that all their problems were solved. She felt sure that if they did not resolve their issues, they would keep coming up over and over again.
These thoughts kept her from really resting.
She decided that as soon as Eric came back, she would insist on having a conversation— a real one. She leaned to the side, picking up the book that was laid upside down on the bedside table. The story of Count Dracula— she hoped it would lull her to sleep if she read a few pages.
A few minutes later, she was completely absorbed in the story, and all thoughts of sleep had left her. She did not mind, after all, as long as she was lying down, she was resting, presumably.
* * *
Eric rang the bell at the Stark townhouse and waited. He was surprised when Silver was the one who opened the door. He stared with puzzlement at the butler as he stepped into the foyer. “I would have thought you would resign from your butler duties now that you have been promoted.”
He smiled slightly. “Thisismy duty — to look after the master’s legacy.”
Eric nodded in understanding. “I see. Well, is there somewhere where we can talk? We have some affairs to discuss.”
“Do we, Your Grace?”
“Indeed, we do. Shall we go to the study?”
He hesitated a moment before nodding. “Of course, Your Grace.”
Eric was wary of the formality with which Silver insisted on addressing him, but he had no choice but to go along with it. They went to the study, and then Eric turned to face Silver. “I do not know if you’ve heard, but Freya is with child.”
Silver’s face brightened from its previously wary mien. “Is that so? What happy news.”
“Indeed. So, we were thinking of going to live at Stark Manor for the rest of the pregnancy if you, as the trustee, have no objection.”
“Of course, I do not. The conditions were I would remain trustee until Lady Freya was with child. If she is with child, then it passes to her.”
