Page 87 of The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter
Adrift.
It wasn’t long before Mrs. Bligh returned. “My lord, would you care for some tea while you wait? Do make yourself comfortable in the parlor. I’m sure Miss Ruskin won’t be long. Her father…well, he may not even be awake to speak to her. I did not want to say anything seeing as she was so busy at Ardley Hall, but he’s taken a turn for the worse.”
He frowned. “Tell me, Mrs. Bligh.”
She gave a curt nod. “He must have had a bad spell during the night because this morning, I could not get him out of bed. Even though he seemed to recover somewhat, he had to cancel today’s service. I did not have the heart to send word to Miss Viola seeing as the lass was coming home in a matter of hours anyway and he truly did appear to be on the mend.”
“I see. Then I had better wait. I think his daughter will require my assistance.”
She nodded. “I plan to sleep in a few nights longer. She ought not be left alone overnight. I do fear the end is near for her father.”
Alexander’s heart tugged, for he’d been through this personal hell himself and understood how the loss tore one’s heart to pieces. “When it happens, you are to come directly to me. Will you do this, Mrs. Bligh?”
“Yes, m’lord.”
“Good. My family is still here so there will be no eyebrows raised if I take her into my home should the worst happen. My mother and grandmother will look after her and act as her chaperones.”
He was about to start Mrs. Bligh on a list of supplies they might need when Viola came rushing back down, her face ashen and her breath coming in short spurts. “Lord Ardley, please…my father is protesting, but I think I must summon Dr. Walcott. Will you talk sense into him while I am gone?”
“Stay here, love,” Mrs. Bligh said. “I’ll fetch him. Won’t take me but a moment.”
The Ruskin housekeeper grabbed her shawl and hurried off.
“Let me have a look at your father,” Alexander said, now following Viola upstairs and fearing the worst.
Her father, although looking quite ghastly, was sitting up in bed and had a stubborn scowl on his face. “My lord, I did not realize you were here.”
He started to struggle out of bed but Alexander stopped him. “Please, do not get up on my account. Your daughter is worried about you. Just rest while Mrs. Bligh summons the doctor to look at you.”
“I don’t need–”
“Yes, you do. He is not only summoned for you, but for the sake of your daughter. Can you not see how much she is suffering over your condition? So be quiet and let us get you the best care possible.”
“But tomorrow’s sermon–”
“You can prepare it from your bed. Your daughter is home now and will fetch you whatever you need. I’m sure she’ll also make you something delicious to eat. Ask her about my house party. Her cooking was spectacular. She was the success of the party.”
The vicar cast him a wan smile. “I knew my little girl could do it.”
“I am not a little girl, Papa,” she said, her voice shaking lightly as she stood beside Alexander.
Her father’s expression softened. “You will always be my little girl. Even when you are married to–”
“Do not tell me again to marry George!” Viola emitted a sob and ran out of his bedchamber.
“Oh, dear. I’ve upset her,” her father bemoaned. “Botheration. She thinks I am still talking about George Haworth. My lord, have you gotten the license?”
He patted the pocket of his jacket. “Yes. Taken care of yesterday. But your daughter is reluctant. As you can see, she cries at the mere mention of marriage, whether it is to George or me.”
“This is my fault. I should have realized and warned you about it. She is overset not only because of my health. I have been pounding it into her head that George is the right man for her. The reason I was so adamant about him is…oh, what a fool I am. Viola loves you. She always has. I was so worried she would remain a spinster and struggle for the rest of her life because you could not possibly love her in return. She is guileless and her heart is so innocent. She would never accept to marry someone else while she still loved you. I was determined to work on her and wear her down. For her own good, of course.”
“And now, you’ve convinced her a little too well,” Alexander said, suppressing a groan. “She thinks she will betray you if she accepts to marry me. No wonder she has been giving me such a hard time. I think we must talk to her together…if I can ever get her back in here.” But his heart eased now that he fully understood the reason for her distress.
To accept him meant betraying her father’s wishes, or so she thought.
She would come around once she realized her father approved of their union.
The vicar sighed. “I think everything that has happened this past week has put her on edge. Cooking for your guests, being away from me, and then returning to find me so ill. But this is precisely why you must move ahead with your wedding plans. I would like to be around to see my little girl happily settled.”
