To Release an Earl

by Ilene Withers

  "How is she?"

  "She's resting, my lord," the maid replied.

  "Would you mind if I came in for a few moments? I would like to check on her."

  "Certainly."

  Willa peeped from beneath her lashes to see the man she loved walk across the room until he loomed at the side of the bed.

  "I know you're awake, Willa." John’s voice was tinged with the sound of amusement.

  Willa sighed and opened her eyes to search his handsome face. She noticed his dark brown hair was mussed as though he had run his fingers through it in frustration. His blue eyes were troubled, and he smelled of horse, an odor Willa loved.

  "You've been in the stables," she stated. "How is Pirate?"

  "Your stallion is no worse for the wear," John replied, "but he misses you and seems to sense something is wrong."

  "No doubt. Pirate's an intelligent horse." Willa fell silent then. Her fiancé reached out a hand and stroked her brow, letting his fingers brush her cheek as he raised his hand. Willa leaned her face into his touch, taking comfort from it.

  "Tell me the truth, John," Willa begged. "Am I suffering from paralysis?"

  Willa watched as he seemed to gauge his words. "Your spine appears to be injured," he said at last. "Whether it means you are permanently paralyzed is a question Dr. Saunders cannot answer at this time. There is some feeling in your right foot. This is a reason to give us all hope."

  "But I cannot move my legs. Even when I concentrate on it, nothing happens. Even the slightest movement is not possible for me to make."

  "Right now," John said. "You can't move them right now. Remember, we do not know what the future holds."

  "The doctor said we need to postpone our wedding," she said with a quiver in her voice. "He said I cannot risk having a child in this condition."

  "There's still time. Let us not worry about our nuptials now."

  John looked around the room and then at the maid. "It's Luvina, correct?"

  "Yes, my lord."

  "Why don't you open the draperies, Luvina?"

  "Of course, my lord." The maid hustled to do as she was bid.

  "I was trying to rest," Willa said.

  "You love the outdoors," John reminded her, "and a dark room is depressing. It's more important now than ever for you to have the cheerful sunshine in your room. Besides, my love, I like to see your beautiful face in better light than this dimness."

  "Humph," Willa snorted, crossing her arms across her chest. She was not feeling cheerful, and she wanted to surround herself with darkness. "I'd rather they be closed."

  "Too bad," John replied. "In fact, now that I can see again, why don't I go fetch a book and read aloud to you? Or we could play chess or cards. Otherwise, since it is almost time for luncheon, I could have mine brought up as well and I could eat with you."

  "Would you like me to ring for luncheon?" Luvina put in. "Miss Willa didn't eat her breakfast, so she must be hungry."

  "I'm not," Willa spoke crossly at the same time as John said, "Please do, Luvina."

  He looked around while the maid walked to the door. Finding the chair Lady Amhearst had occupied, John pulled it up to the bedside.

  "I hope I don't reek too much of horse."

  "Would you go change if I said you did?" Willa asked. She loved him, but he was grating on her nerves being as cheerful as he was. She was usually a cheerful person herself, but all she wanted to do now was cry in solitude.

  He just grinned and replied, "No, you love the smell of the stables and I want to make sure you eat your luncheon."

  "Well, you can't force it down my throat," she said, staring down at her arms. She felt like throwing a temper tantrum. Oh, how she wanted her legs back!

  "Ah, is this the book you've been reading?" he asked as she heard him pick up the bound copy from the bedside table. "Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen," he read. "I've heard about this novel. In fact, my mother told me not long ago she was going to purchase it at the first opportunity."

  "I've barely started it," Willa mumbled, looking up at him out of curiosity despite her bad mood.

  "I'm glad. This way we can start it over together, and I'll read it to you each day. It will be our book." With that stated, he removed the bookmark, flipped back to the first page, and began to read. "'The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex.'"

  "You won't be interested in this, John," Willa interrupted in her wish to be left alone in her misery.

  "We're going to be man and wife, dear. This means we should share many interests. 'Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park,'" he went on.

  Willa gave up and let herself be lost in the sound of his rich, masculine voice as he read the words of the new novel to her. She watched his face as he read, finding the emotions flitting across it as he read to be fascinating. John did not pause until lunch arrived.

  ****

  After a luncheon of meat pies, cheese, and fresh fruit during which John begged and cajoled Willa to eat, he read to her from the Austen book until her eyelids drooped into slumber. Then, laying the book on the bedside table and rising to brush a tender kiss across Willa's forehead, he nodded to the maid and slipped out of the room.

  Once the door was shut, he leaned against the wall, exhausted and angry. He wasn't angry at Willa but at some unknown foe who had intentionally battered his beloved both physically and mentally. His usually lighthearted and fun-loving fiancée was depressed and scared and bitter. He couldn't blame her. In her circumstances, he would have been, too.

  He walked down the stairs and found his host and hostess ensconced in the library looking worried. Blythe was chewing her bottom lip, and the viscount was tapping his fingers on his desk. They looked up as he walked into the room.

  "How is she, John?" her mother asked.

  "Depressed and scared," he answered truthfully. "I asked the maid to open the draperies and let the sunlight in. Then I read to her from her book and persuaded her to eat most of her lunch. She fought me almost every step of the way."

  "But you did get her to eat?" Yale asked.

  "Yes, most of it. She also listened to the book as I read aloud. By the time I left she had fallen asleep."

  "Molly said she laid awake most of the night, often sobbing relentlessly," Blythe said. "My heart aches for my darling little girl."

  "Ours all do," her husband put in. "You said earlier she told you she missed Claire. Maybe we should see if Fayre would come to visit. What is she, eighteen now?"

  "A year younger, dear," Blythe returned, "but it is an excellent idea. Fayre is such a sweet girl."

  John knew they were talking about Willa's cousin, Claire's younger sister. "I think the distraction would be a good idea." John paused before saying to Yale, "And you mentioned you were going to hire another maid to help Molly with Willa's care."

  "Yes, I've already talked to Abbott about seeking a nurse for her. He suggested an employment agency in Bath where we might find more nurses than we would at other places. In fact, he has already sent one of the grooms to Bath with a request and an order for two Bath chairs as Dr. Saunders suggested."

  "That will be helpful," John said. "The mobility to leave her room will be good for her."

  The viscountess rose and made her excuses. "You are correct, John, and so I am going to go write a letter to my sister begging she send Fayre."

  "They will be happy to," her husband told her. "Let us ask Abbott to arrange for a carriage to deliver the request and return with Fayre. Perhaps we can send one of the parlour maids along to serve as a chaperone for her."

  John sank into the chair his future mother-in-law had abandoned and regarded the viscount across the desk. "Is there anyone we should question? Anyone we haven't yet spoken to?"

  "Of course, we could speak to the household staff," Yale said, "but I'm reluctant to. Gossip has a way of making its way around the house, and I don't want to worry Willa with our fears."

  "I agree," John said. "She's already
scared enough."

  "I will speak to the butler and housekeeper in confidence, however. Both can be trusted not to say anything to anyone else but can then keep their eyes and ears open for anything which may be suspicious and report it back to me."

  John was quiet a moment before standing up again. "I cannot stand still until we get this figured out," he said. "I'll go back out to the stables. Everything seems to lead to there. At least I'll feel like I'm doing something."

  He left the house and walked to the stables once again. Entering, he stepped into the shadows, wanting to watch the activity unnoticed. Nothing stood out, however. Stalls were being mucked out, horses led out for exercise or fresh air. Water was being hauled in buckets. John walked outside again and stepped into an area which formed a walkway between the small paddocks. Pirate was there and came toward John, reaching his head over the fence to nuzzle him.

  "You miss her already, don't you, old boy?" As if he understood, the horse whinnied softly. "As soon as her Bath chairs arrive, I promise to bring her out to see you. You both need that."

  "Please do bring Miss Willa out," Ward said as he walked up to John. "Pirate knows something is wrong. He’s moping."

  John turned to the older man. "I believe horses are highly intelligent, so no doubt Pirate knows something has happened. Especially since he was there when it did."

  Ward reached out to stroke the horse's nose and then looked John in the eye. "You asked me to let you know if I thought of anything or anyone who has acted suspicious."

  John instantly became alert. "I did."

  "A few weeks ago, a coupla young bucks stopped by to shop for hunters. Miss Willa had come into the stables for her daily ride shortly after they arrived. She musta caught the interest of one of them for he started makin' eyes at her and flirting like silly young bucks will. O' course, Miss Willa ignored him and mounted Pirate for a ride."

  "I’m jealous, of course, but it doesn't seem too suspicious. Miss Willa is a beautiful young woman and attracts many covetous glances."

  "There's more, my lord."

  John waited patiently, knowing the stable master would get to his point in his own time.

  "When they returned, Brooks told me that while those young bucks were out for a ride, Miss Willa caught up with them and surpassed them in a full gallop. When they all got back, the young buck told her he wanted to buy her horse. Miss Willa just laughed at him and said, 'I think not.'"

  "Who is he?"

  "I don't know, my lord. I'm not a young man, and all the gentlemen who visit the stables begin to blur for me, I'll admit."

  John reached out and patted the man on his shoulder. "Its okay, Ward. I'll ask the viscount."

  "I fear he won't know the answer. He was away from the estate that day and pro'bly never heard about it."

  "Well then, I'll have to think of a way to casually bring it up to Miss Willa." He stroked Pirate's nose one more time and then nodded to Ward. "Thank you, Ward, for bringing this up to me. No detail is too small for us to ignore. I appreciate it." He started to walk away, intent on returning to the house to speak to Willa again.

  "Please give my regards to Miss Willa," the stable master called after him. "My missus and I will say a prayer for her ever' night until she's back to normal again."

  John expressed his thanks and walked toward the house. Instead of entering through the front door, John walked around the house and went through the servant's entrance and down the steps into the kitchen. There he found the rotund cook hovering over a tea tray. While he had never met the cook, he knew from Willa's stories of her times in the kitchen that the woman's name was Bessie. He spoke the name now.

  The woman whirled around, a knife in her hand. Upon seeing him, her face broke into a smile. "Oh, my lord, you gave me such a fright. I don't expect to find quality in my kitchen."

  John smiled in return, hoping to help the woman relax. "My kitchen at home is one of my favorite places. There is nowhere else on my estate I can find delectable tidbits to sneak between meals."

  Bessie laughed as he had hoped she would. "Anytime you would like to sneak a tidbit from my kitchen, my lord, you just go right ahead."

  "I was hoping to get a tea tray for Miss Willa and deliver it myself. Am I in time?"

  "You are. I was just adding some lemon bars to it. I baked a fresh batch of her favorites today."

  John appreciated knowing this. It seemed everyone cared for Willa, but none more than himself. His love for her was deep and lasting. "If it's ready, may I carry it up?"

  "You may." The cook lifted the heavy silver tray and handed it to him after adding a second cup and saucer. It was then he saw a pretty orange chrysanthemum floating in a small bowl. Willa’s lunch tray had a flower on it, as well. Here was yet one more sign of how much the staff at the viscount's home cared for his fiancée. He took the tray from Bessie and made his way up the back stairs. As John approached the door, he nodded to the footman who was stationed outside Willa's bedchamber door as a convenience to the maid within. "Do you know if Miss Willa is awake?" he asked the young footman.

  "I'm not sure, my lord, but let me enquire." The footman tapped quietly on the door and waited but a few moments before Luvina opened it.

  John greeted the maid and proffered the tea tray. "I confiscated this from Cook," he told the maid. "If Miss Willa is awake, I would like to cajole her into enjoying one of her favorite sweet treats and speak to her for a bit."

  Luvina stepped aside and swung the door open wide. "She woke about five minutes ago, my lord."

  John entered the room, his eyes solely on his affianced as she lay in the bed, her shiny brunette tresses framing either side of her face. He walked across the room and set the tray on a side table. "I brought tea," he said. "I am hoping you'll offer me a cup."

  "You should have joined my parents for tea, John. I'm sure you would find them to be better company."

  "Nonsense," he said. "While I have found I have grown quite fond of both of them, I do not love them in the way I do you. Now why don't you use those surprisingly strong arms of yours to pull yourself upright? You are not, after all, helpless," he teased her.

  "I feel helpless," she replied with a pout. "You have no idea what it is like to not be able to move your lower limbs."

  "No, I do not," he admitted. "However, you must learn to make the best of it, even if it is only for a time."

  "You are goading me," she accused, "just as you did at luncheon."

  John could not help but chuckle. "Perhaps I am just a little." Indeed, he was pleased to see she put her hands down on the mattress and struggled to pull herself upright enough so she could relax against the pillows Luvina fluffed behind her back. John, meanwhile, poured the tea and put one of the delectable lemon bars on the plate before handing it to her and draping a napkin across her lap. He then poured his own tea and sat on the chair next to the bed.

  "Did you have a good rest?"

  Willa shrugged and said, "I did sleep. The pain in my back has subsided a bit."

  "Wonderful! That is good news, indeed."

  He was pleased to see Willa pick up her lemon bar and take a small bite. "Cook made those especially for you today," he pointed out. "Oh, and Ward says to tell you he and his wife are praying for you."

  "You were out at the stables?”

  "Yes, twice today as a matter of fact."

  "Did you see Pirate?"

  "Yes, he is missing you."

  "I've been thinking about him," she said quietly. "I remember some of what happened, and he jumped far to the side. I am thankful he didn't injure himself."

  "We are lucky he did not," John assured her. "Both Brooks and Ward have been over him and over him and have found no injury."

  "Will you ride him for me, John?" she asked as she turned her expressive brown eyes toward him. "He will not be happy if he doesn't get his run in."

  "If you would like me to, I will." He sipped his tea and thoughtfully chewed a bite of the bar, relishing the buttery c
itrus flavors against his tongue. "Ward was telling me a young gentleman offered to buy him from you a few weeks back."

  Willa scowled. "The jackanapes. I can't believe he was so audacious."

  "Who is this audacious gentleman?"

  "Mr. Alistair Penworthy, youngest son of Squire Penworthy," she answered him. "The truth is he could not afford a horse as fine as Pirate. Furthermore, he wouldn't know how to treat him and could not even stay on him; Pirate is so spirited."

  John appreciated how the conversation had put some spirit in Willa's voice. He hated seeing her giving up as he had so far during the day. It was understandable, but most unlike her normal animated personality.

  "He must have been angry you would not take him up on his offer."

  "More irked, I believe. I doubt if he ever thought I would take him up on it. He left in good spirits, having been allowed to ride an animal far finer than any he has probably ever ridden, even if it wasn't Pirate."

  The bedchamber door opened without warning, and the viscountess hurried in. "Oh, you are having tea!"

  John rose politely. "Please join us, Blythe. While we may not have a lot of tea left, we can ring for more, and we do have a lemon bar to spare."

  "That is quite all right," Willa's mother said as she hurried to her daughter's side and fussed lovingly with the covers, her napkin, and her hair. "I just wanted to stop in and tell you we have asked Fayre to come stay with us for a while. Abbott has already sent a carriage for her, along with one of the parlour maids. The driver is carrying a written request and will wait for her to pack before he comes back."

  Willa seemed pleased with the news. "So she might be here three days hence?"

  "I would think so," her mother assured her before bending to kiss the top of her daughter's head. "I love you, dear." With the proclamation she turned toward the door, Luvina in her wake.

  While the maid's back was turned, John leaned forward and tucked one finger under her chin before kissing her on the lips. "And I love you, too, sweetheart."

  Chapter Five