by Boom, Naomi
After what seemed like an eternity, they finally reached the house. A groom came rushing out, despite the rain, to take the horses. Gavin dismounted and ran into the house, yelling to a footman to call immediately for a doctor. He defied convention and demanded a maid provide him the location of Laura’s room. He deposited her on the bed and noticed how bedraggled she looked. Her hair was matted to her head, and her dress clung to her, weighing her down with its sodden weight. Not knowing what else to do, he stoked the fire to increase the temperature of the room and waited for help to arrive.
Mrs. Westfield came rushing into the room. She urged Gavin out, and he hurried to his room and changed clothes. He wanted to be at Laura’s side, but knew if he did not change, he would end up sick as well. His worry was overpowering, and all he could do was wait with Mrs. Westfield for the doctor to arrive.
“Where is Gavin?” Laura asked shakily.
Mrs. Westfield frowned and motioned for Gavin to join them.
Gavin ignored Mrs. Westfield’s evident displeasure and crossed to the bed. He took a seat and latched on to Laura’s hand with his own in a death grip, while praying that she would be fine. He was entirely responsible for her sickness and would never forgive himself if she did not recover. This current situation was precisely why he was not worthy of her. She deserved a man who would not misuse her or leave her out in the rain when they should have returned long ago.
They waited for the doctor for what seemed an eternity. Finally, a gray-haired gentleman came rushing in with his bag of tools. Gavin had an aversion to blood-letting, except for more extreme sicknesses, of course, and would ensure nothing happened to Laura unless absolutely necessary.
The doctor addressed Gavin. “Please leave the room, my lord.”
“No,” Gavin responded. His tone suggested he would brook no argument.
“My lord, it is improper for a gentleman to stay in the room during an examination.” He sent a pleading look to Mrs. Westfield, entreating her silently for aid.
Mrs. Westfield noted the doctor’s dilemma, and joined in with his pleas. “Really, Lord Farris, please leave. We will send for you when the doctor is finished.”
He sent them both a thunderous scowl that left the doctor and Mrs. Westfield shaking, and said, “I will not leave. Now get on with it, Doctor, and if I see any blood-letting, know that you will be hard-pressed to ever find respectable work again.”
The doctor swallowed nervously but performed his check-up adeptly. After which he told Gavin and Mrs. Westfield, “It appears she has a cold. Her temperature is much too high. Normally I would let some blood out to help her, but you have insisted I do not. There is very little that I can do for her at this point. Keep a cool cloth on her brow, and try to feed her some bone broth. If she worsens, send for me.”
The doctor left, which left Gavin and Mrs. Westfield to carry out his orders. Gavin turned to a maid and barked his order to her. “You heard the man. We need warm water, cloths, and broth. Get to it.”
All the while he sat holding Laura’s hand, wishing she would get better. “I will not leave you, darling.” He whispered, hoping she would hear and be comforted. He kissed the overly warm hand he was holding, and asked Mrs. Westfield, “What is taking the maids so long?”
“I am sure they will be here momentarily, my lord,” Mrs. Westfield assured him. “Really though, I have everything under control. You may go, and I will keep you apprised of the situation.”
“I think not. I will stay right here,” he said very decisively. The maids then entered the room, and Gavin was occupied with trying to cool Laura’s fever.
Mrs. Westfield whispered her urgent plea to a maid. “Please find Lord Collins, and bring him here immediately. If anyone can convince Lord Farris to behave, it is him.”
After several minutes Lord Collins walked in, concerned. “Gavin, what are you doing in here?”
Gavin turned to him while still holding on to Laura’s hand. “I have to make sure she gets better. She has to.”
Lord Collins nodded calmly and turned to Mrs. Westfield. He apologetically shook his head. “He is hard-headed when he is in his right mind. Now, I can guarantee he will not be dissuaded.” With that, Lord Collins turned on his heel and exited the room.
****
Laura’s fever raged on for what seemed an eternity. In the middle of the night, she started to stir. “Water,” she croaked. Gavin immediately brought some of the broth to her lips and helped her to drink. She managed a small sip and looked at him with a fevered gaze that plunged a knife of guilt through his heart. “You stayed with me.” Grasping his hand in both her small, overly warm ones, she added, “My love.”
Lightning struck Gavin’s body. She could not really imagine herself in love with him, could she? He stood and placed a gentle kiss on her brow. “Of course I stayed. Now go back to sleep, and get better.” Taking his seat again, he watched as her eyes drifted shut. She could not mean her words of love. It was just the fever talking. After all, he was not worthy of her love. Everything about this woman was perfect. So much so, he wondered if God had made her sick just to ensure one of His angels returned.
Gavin stayed with Laura the rest of the night, despite Mrs. Westfield’s constant urges that he should leave. He would not hear of it and stayed right by her side. His was a tortured soul, filled with the gnawing guilt of having toyed with her until she innocently fell for him. He knew what he needed to do. He just was not certain he had the strength. When her fever broke, he would leave her and make sure he did not bother her again, precisely as she had asked him earlier that day.
Gavin’s decision had been made, and he savored every remaining minute with her. He admired every minute detail of her face, right down to the curve of her lips and the tilt of her nose. Her face could not be more perfectly formed. Its delicacy was perfectly balanced by her temerity of spirit. His hand encompassed hers, tiny as it may be, and he would have it no other way.
He did not know what was wrong with him. Never before had he spent so much time caring about a woman. They were made to be played with and left. Not to savor and protect with all his being.
Laura’s fever finally broke around noon the next day. Gavin could not have been more relieved, but he was exhausted and in need of a bath. He placed a soft kiss on her hand once more and bade her farewell. He stood and said to an exhausted Mrs. Westfield, “I will depart now. Please ensure she continues to recover. If she should relapse, you will send for me.” He bowed and swiftly left the room in search of his own.
****
By the time Laura awoke, she was all alone with Mrs. Westfield in her bedchamber. Strangely, she swore she could recall Gavin sitting at her bedside. She must have dreamt his presence. No matter how lax Mrs. Westfield was in her duties, she would never allow a man to sit by her sickbed while she slept.
Laura was famished and asked Mrs. Westfield for some food. The only thing she was allowed was some hot broth, which was not going to be enough to fill her. She begged and said, “Mrs. Westfield, take pity on me. I have not eaten since yesterday morning. Please, anything other than broth.”
“Oh, Laura, you have been sleeping much longer than that! Why, the trip to the ruins was three days ago!”
Eyes wide, Laura could not believe she had slept so long. No wonder she was hungry. “In that case, I really think I deserve a sandwich, or at least soup with some substance, please,” she added, hoping her entreaty would result in any sort of solid food.
Mrs. Westfield chuckled and rang for a maid. Laura was still fairly sleepy, but she wanted to hear about any news that had occurred while she was sick. “So what did I miss when I was sleeping?”
“Not much. Everyone was pretty worried about you, so Lady Songfeld cancelled the events. After the fever broke, Lord Collins and Lord Farris had to leave for business or something of that nature. Now Eleanor thinks it is best we leave the party early, so she can be near Lord Collins. Once you are stronger and more rested, we will be making the trip. T
hat is about all that has been happening. Unfortunately, it was nothing too exciting.”
A maid entered bearing sandwiches and tea. Laura grabbed one and bit in, savoring the taste of cucumber. Hunger made everything taste so much better. She finished eating the sandwich and returned to her reclined position. She had filled up very quickly.
Leaving the house party was just fine with her. The sooner she got away from there, the sooner she could forget about Lord Farris. The manor contained too many reminders of him. She could not even go for a ride without thinking about his very masculine hands helping her to dismount or of his overbearing attitude when he forced her to ride with him. Yes, leaving the house would be fine with her.
She was a little hurt that he had left without saying goodbye, although it was easier for her this way. A sense of closure would have been nice, though. Leaving it this way made her feel a bit used, as if she had just been a random dalliance to pass the time. The worst part was that was exactly how their relationship had been. There had never been a promise of courtship, much less marriage. He may have rescued her a few times, but he had received more than his due reward.
Laura was happy she had come to terms with how their relationship stood; otherwise, his departure would have been a devastating blow. Instead it was just a blow. How was she supposed to move on from here? Find a new man? No one could compare to Gavin. He was too handsome, intelligent, and amusing. The best she could hope for would be a mere shadow of the man she loved.
Eleanor entered the room and interrupted her thoughts, just as Mrs. Westfield was departing. “I heard you were awake.”
No inquiry into her health, and no how is your day going? So much for a nicer, more considerate Eleanor. Well, maybe it was too early to pass judgement. She would give Eleanor a bit more time to prove herself. “Why yes, I decided I had slept enough, and would rather sit in bed like an invalid.”
Eleanor gave her an odd look as she plopped on to the bed. “Sometimes you say the strangest things. Now, I hear you spoke with Mrs. Westfield about our departure. When did you think you would be strong enough for a carriage ride to London?”
“I am only going to sit in a carriage. I do not see why I need to be in perfect health.” Laura could never understand why people made such a big deal out of traveling when they had personal carriages.
“Excellent. Would you say day after tomorrow then?”
Laura nodded. She should be in perfectly fine health, physically at least. Emotionally, well, that was going to take time. “How long is the ride to London?” They had just come from her father’s house, so the trip distance would be considerably different.
“I believe it will take all morning. I am so very excited to be in London again. Once we arrive, I shall send a missive to Lord Collins to apprise him of my location.”
Laura could not help herself. She rolled her eyes at the thought of Eleanor’s successful love life.
Eleanor continued to speak, having failed to notice Laura’s nonverbal response. “I am sure he will stop by for a visit in no time.” Eleanor turned to preen in the mirror and wrapped a wayward strand of hair in her finger. She then attempted to place it back in her chignon. “It was such strange timing, Lord Collins and Lord Farris returning to London, and right after you were starting to get better. Lord Farris really should have known better than to schedule business during a house party.”
“I am sure it was urgent for both to leave so abruptly.” Laura was not sure why she was defending him. He certainly did not deserve it.
“Hmm, yes. I just wish Lord Collins had not accompanied him. I miss him terribly.” Eleanor sniffed, which would usually elicit sympathy from anyone but Laura, who could see through her act.
“Oh yes, it would have been nice to finish out the house party. We still could, you know.” Laura did not expect Eleanor to agree to stay, which was why she offered. If Eleanor had been inclined to stay, Laura would probably feign illness until the house party ended.
Surprised, Eleanor looked appraisingly at Laura. “You mean you will not mind Lord Farris being gone? I thought you enjoyed his company and would not care to stay at the house party without him.”
“He is a pleasant enough gentleman, but not one I will miss greatly,” Laura replied nonchalantly.
“I knew it! I knew you would not care to constantly be around him. I told Lord Collins it was not necessary to pair you up with Lord Farris at every event.”
“What was that?” Laura asked, sitting upright. Had she just heard what she thought she had?
“Oh, you know, Lord Collins asked Lord Farris to partner with you so we would not have to worry about you. You did not think he chose you because he liked you, did you?” Eleanor laughed coldly. She was definitely unchanged.
Laura decided to act unperturbed. “Oh is that why? I had wondered why he was so annoyingly persistent.” Not only had he used her, but it was as a favor to his friend. This hurt more than anything else he could have done to her. Yes, this was what love did. It set one’s heart up to be torn from the chest and crushed. She did not want anything else to do with love, never again. In fact, she would find the type of man Mrs. Westfield would approve of. “Eleanor?”
“Yes, dear?”
“Who is the most eligible gentleman, after Lord Farris and Lord Collins, of course?”
“Why, Viscount Dunbar. He is not as wealthy as either Lord Collins or Lord Farris, and is in his midfifties, but he is still a great catch. He has never been married and is in the market for a bride. Why do you want to know?”
The man sounded perfect. Ironically, he sounded like the man Lord Farris would be in twenty or so years. “Well, Eleanor, I think that is the man I shall marry.”
Shocked, Eleanor levelled a stare at Laura. Slowly, an approving smile spread across her face as she said, “What a delightful idea. I do not know what has come over you, but I heartily approve your discarding your ridiculous notion of love. I think we will need to change a few things about you in order to catch Lord Dunbar’s interest though.”
“What sort of things?” Laura asked curiously.
“Well, for starters, your clothes. You will have to dress a bit more enticingly than a nun in a convent to attract that sort of man. You will also have to learn to flirt a bit better.” Squealing, she added, “This is so exciting! We will have to do a lot of shopping when we reach London.”
Laura was not sure why, but Eleanor sounded overly enthusiastic about helping her. It must be that Eleanor thought she finally had found a kindred spirit, a mercenary and uncaring one. Sadly, that was exactly what Laura would strive to be, thanks to Lord Farris.
Chapter 8
Laura stayed as busy as possible for the next two months. She shopped frequently, until she had an entirely new wardrobe that met Eleanor’s standards. When she did not shop, Laura went on rides in Hyde Park, accompanied by a groom, of course. Her interest in all else waned. Even her torrid romance novels held little appeal for her. She barely ate and withdrew from those around her.
She was in limbo. While she acknowledged her need to forget about Lord Farris, her heart kept her from doing so. She halfway expected to see him at Hyde Park every time she rode, but of course, he never materialized. The disappointment was almost too much for her, but the hope of a chance meeting kept her returning daily.
Eleanor, naturally, had no idea that Laura was internally a mess. Instead, Eleanor assumed Laura had focused all her attention on snaring Lord Dunbar. For two long, lonely months. And now, all the efforts Laura had put forth toward becoming Lady Dunbar would come to fruition. She would finally meet Lord Dunbar tonight at the theater.
“Oh, Laura! This will not do at all. You must stop losing weight if you are going to wear these gowns,” Eleanor admonished angrily. She directed Anna to take in the waist on Laura’s skirt and glowered prettily. “Lord Dunbar will not want to bed skin and bones.”
Laura blushed. Anna worked quickly, and Laura jumped when she pricked her with a needle.
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nbsp; “Anna!” Eleanor exclaimed sharply, “Do try and be careful. We do not need a bloodstain.”
Laura’s eyebrow shot up. Anna could read her easily, so Laura said sarcastically, “Yes, Anna. A stain would destroy our entire night.”
Eleanor nodded absentmindedly and went to the wardrobe. She pulled one of the new slippers from a box and thrust them at Laura. “Wear these tonight.”
The slippers were silver and matched the needlework on her gown. Aside from the thread, the gown was an ivory color, and possibly the most beautiful thing Laura had ever seen.
Anna stepped away, and Eleanor nodded. “You should do nicely.” Laura turned to the mirror and looked at herself critically. Her hair was magnificently piled atop her head in an elaborate style and was intertwined with ivory silk ribbons that matched her gown. A touch of charcoal accentuated her pale lashes, and she had added some color to her cheeks.
“Do you really think I can attract Lord Dunbar?” Laura asked, skeptically. Aside from her plunging neckline and overly tight corset, she did not think she looked that much different.
“Absolutely. He will not be able to take his eyes off your chest.”
Laura turned her eyes back to the mirror. Eleanor knew what she was talking about, but Laura would have preferred a slightly more modest gown. She did not appreciate feeling as though her chest would pop out of its confines at any moment.
“We really must hurry. Lord Collins is to meet us at the box,” Eleanor said with concern marring her otherwise perfect face. “I have told him of your interest in the viscount, and he promised to make the introduction, should he be in attendance.” Eleanor’s eyes shone with approval as she observed Laura.
Laura shot Eleanor a look of gratitude. “Thank you. That was very considerate of you.” Truly, it was very considerate, and Laura had to give her credit for a job well done.