The Lady's Fate (The Reluctant Grooms Volume II)

by Anne Gallagher

  “Taking care of me, whatever for?”

  “You have taken ill, Violet,” Ellis said.

  “Ill, my lord? I am never ill.” Violet released his hand and threw the covers back.

  “Violet, you must remain in bed, dearest. The doctor is here and if I must, I will tell him of your misbehavior.” He used it as an idle threat, but it kept her from leaving her bed.

  She lay back and looked at him with a soft smile. “You called me dearest.”

  “Yes.” He returned her smile. “Dearest you are and dearest you shall always remain.” He took up her hand once more and kissed it.

  Violet giggled. “Shall I tell you a secret?”

  “You may tell me anything.” He straightened the bed covers.

  “I shall only tell you because I know this is a dream. I know that you are not truly here and therefore, you shall never know. I love you. I have loved you since the day we met.” Violet giggled again. “Tis a very great secret.”

  “You were a brave girl that day.” He ran his hand across her forehead and felt it still hot to the touch. He rang out another towel and placed it across her brow.

  “I was not brave,” she said. “I did what any woman would do for a child. Who could not love Jane?” She looked at him with heavy eyes.

  “You love her very much, I know,” Ellis said.

  “I love her with my whole life. The same as I love you. I do not know what I would do should we ever be parted.” Violet closed her eyes.

  “We never shall be,” Ellis said. It was his solemn vow.

  He slept in the chair, holding her hand. When the doctor woke him an hour before dawn to give her another dose of medicine, she felt cooler to his touch. The doctor was optimistic, but guarded.

  “These fevers can go either way. We must be cautious, yet hopeful,” he said.

  Doctor Blakestock stayed with Violet and bade Ellis to try to get some restful sleep. It would do no good for him to fight the same malady.

  “I shall be right next door should anything occur.” Ellis took one last look at the broken creature lying in her bed. He promised he would make this up to her.

  Upon waking, Ellis checked on Violet and found the doctor dozing by her side. She seemed quiet and he did not want to disturb either of them. He checked on Jane, who was sitting up with Mary in his bed reading a book. He kissed her cheek and told her he would be back after he ate. He then went down to the kitchen and picked at the plate of dry toast and eggs Mrs. Jeffers set before him. Finished, he retreated to his library where he sat and prayed. It had not worked for Anne, but he begged God for the chance to spare Violet the same fate.

  Manning appeared in the doorway. “The Reverend Perry, my lord,” he said.

  Ellis stood. “Andrew, I am glad you are come,” he said as he shook his friend’s hand.

  “I had no idea you’d arrived. I only came to enquire if Lady Jane has improved. How does she fare?” He walked into the room and sat when Ellis offered the comfort of the settee.

  “My daughter is well, thank you,” Ellis said. “The fever has broken. However, Violet succumbed and it has been a sorry night. But the medicine has finally taken hold, and the doctor is hopeful. We must wait to see what the next days’ bring.” Ellis sank back into his chair.

  “When did you arrive?” Andrew asked. “Was it magic that brought you?”

  Ellis smiled. “No, I assure you, only my trusted Draco, although, it did appear he had wings for a time. We arrived sometime before nightfall, the doctor a few hours later. He prescribed a cold hipbath for Jane and that finally broke her fever. Violet collapsed soon after I arrived. The doctor gave her salix alba powder, but she remained delirious during the night. It was only at dawn, he said her fever had broken, but she is very weak.” Ellis thought back to the conversation he and Violet had shared. He wondered if she would remember it.

  “Well, I am glad the doctor was here. We have all been terribly worried about her.”

  “We?”

  “Yes, of course. Everyone in the village who’d been afflicted. Were it not for Lady Violet and her remedy, I am sure I would be officiating at a funeral today instead of sitting here in the warmth of your library.”

  “Andrew, you must tell me how this happened. I have only bits and pieces of the story,” Ellis said.

  “I believe it was Miss Celia Brayton who appeared to have the first case. She did not look well in church. She and her sister had just returned from a trip to Derry to visit with an elderly relative. And as you know, the ladies are wont to talk after services. Miss Lydia Brayton fell next and the apothecary prescribed bed rest and a chicken poultice.” Andrew raised his eyebrows together and rolled his eyes before continuing.

  “Lady Violet knew that would not do and prepared an herbal, which cured the Misses Brayton, but by then the whole town seemed to be ill. Lady Violet procured enough remedy to set everyone to rights, but by then, your Jane had succumbed as well. Lady Violet was frantic with worry and when I arrived, yesterday morn, I thought the best course of action would be to send for you and a doctor. She resisted at first, fearing your repercussions, however I convinced her, should Lady Jane not recover, the consequence she would face would be far more damaging.”

  Ellis sat and drank in Andrew’s words. He did not wish to think what might have happened to Jane or Violet. He asked, “So you are telling me Violet took care of the whole village?” Ellis could not fathom it.

  “Yes,” Andrew said. “I cannot imagine what we would have done without her.”

  “Tell me, Andrew, did you happen to visit when my mother came?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. Lady Violet had mentioned she was interested in a new book of poetry I had acquired for Aurelia. I brought it, not realizing of course, there was a house party.”

  “And how did Violet look to you?”

  “Very ill. Haggard. Unrested. While I took tea with the ladies in the parlour, Lady Violet appeared to jump every time Lady Chesnick spoke. I must say, Ellis, your mother, although charming in her own way is a bit of a nag. She found fault with everything Lady Violet did or said with regard to Jane and her care. I know Lady Violet loves that little girl with her whole being and has done nothing but raise her in the gentlest manner. Why your mother would criticize such a delightful creature is beyond my ken.”

  Ellis snorted. “My mother finds imperfection in everyone.”

  “I am sorry for her then. Tis a sorrowful way to live,” Andrew said.

  “She shall be sorry when I return to Town,” Ellis mumbled under his breath.

  “Ellis we must forgive other’s shortcomings, especially in one’s own mother. We must practice charity.”

  “When one’s own mother is a harridan to the woman I love, then charity is lost on me.”

  Andrew smiled. “So your mind has recognized what your heart already knew.”

  Ellis smiled back somewhat sheepishly. “Yes, it took me a long time, but now it is as it should be. Once I have Prinny seated on his damned throne, and Lady Violet has recovered, I shall woo her, court her, and marry her. Unless of course, I cannot wait that long and then I shall carry her away to Gretna.”

  Ellis decided that Countess Flowers must be informed of her daughter’s illness. As much as he hated to have the witch at Fairhaven, he wrote the letter and sent Grennan in the coach to retrieve her.

  During the course of the day, he spent his time reading to Jane and sitting by Violet’s bedside. She did not awaken, nor did he want her to. She needed her rest. And he needed to collect his thoughts. He had no idea what he would say to her once she awoke.

  *****

  Violet dreamed of Haverlane. They were kissing and it was glorious. But then, someone tried to take Jane away. She fought them, but could not find Jane. And she must, for Haverlane would never forgive her if something happened. She grew hot and then she chilled. Was she ill? Impossible, she was never ill. Lady Chesnick berated her yet again on her care of Jane. Her mother berated her for not be
ing able to fit into the dress for her come-out. Grennan, where was Grennan? She needed him to kill a chicken. Haverlane had arrived. He would be angry Jane was ill. But he was not. He told her they would be together always. But a faceless woman in a long silver dress laughed and took him away.

  “No!” She cried, and sat up in bed.

  “Violet, what is it? Are you having a bad dream?”

  Violet looked at the person sitting beside her bed. “Mother? What are you doing here?”

  “Haverlane sent a note and said you were ill. I came straight away.” Lady Flowers stood and went to the doorway. “Violet, I must find the doctor. I shall return momentarily.”

  Violet lay back against her pillows. She felt like a horse that had been galloped hard and stabled wet, and if truth allowed, she stank. She closed her eyes and wished for a hot bath filled with rose petals.

  She heard footfalls and opened her eyes. A middle-aged man in a rumpled waistcoat and weary cravat approached the bed. Her mother hovered behind him.

  “Lady Violet, I am Doctor Blakestock. How do you feel?” he asked.

  “Sorely in need of a bath, I’m afraid,” Violet said.

  He smiled and rested his hand on her forehead. “Your fever has broken, but I’m afraid you shall need to wait another day or two for your bath.”

  “That is unfortunate,” she said weakly.

  “A bath right now would do more harm than is good for you. You must remain in bed. Are you hungry?”

  “The thought of food is unappealing. However, my stomach does not agree.”

  “Perhaps some plain toast and weak tea,” he suggested.

  “Yes, I would like that.” Afraid to ask, she did nonetheless. “How is Jane?”

  “Lady Jane has recovered nicely and is with her father at the moment. I should like you to keep your distance from her for the next few days. The lingering affects of your illness might re-infect her,” he warned.

  Haverlane was here! “Yes, yes of course, Doctor….”

  “Blakestock,” he supplied.

  “Thank you, Doctor Blakestock, for everything you have done.” She thanked God for bringing Doctor Blakestock. Jane would be well.

  “Twas nothing. Now rest. I will have Mrs. Jeffers bring you a small tray and we shall see how you fare. I will check on you before I return to London,” he said. Smiling at her, he touched her forehead once more before departing the room.

  Her mother resumed her position at her bedside. “You had us very worried, Violet.”

  Violet closed her eyes against the admonishment in her tone. “It was not as if I had planned to become ill, Mother.”

  “No, however, you did not need to care for so many when your own health was suffering.”

  Of course, her mother would not understand. The last weeks when so many of her friends became ill, it was the least she could do to help them. Their many kindnesses to her, their welcome into the community had made her feel more at home than she had ever felt in her own.

  “Here we are,” Mrs. Jeffers said. She bustled into the room with a tray and settled it on the foot of the bed.

  “How kind of you,” Violet said and smiled at the old woman.

  Mrs. Jeffers helped Violet sit up and plumped the pillows at her back, and then placed the tray across her lap. She turned to Violet’s mother. “If you’d like, mum, there’s tea and meat pie in the small dining room. I will sit with Lady Violet.” She winked at Violet.

  Her mother stood. “Thank you, Mrs. Jeffers. I believe I will. Violet, I shall be downstairs if you need me.” She left the room.

  “Now, dearie, tell me true. How do you feel?” Mrs. Jeffers sat in the chair vacated by her mother.

  “I am weak, but well. At least that is what Doctor Blakestock informs me.” She took a small sip of diluted, but sweet tea. “Tell me Mrs. Jeffers, is Haverlane truly here?”

  “Oh, yes. I sent Grennan to fetch him two days ago. He has been by your bedside throughout.”

  Haverlane at her bedside? Good Lord, he had seen her in all her state!

  “He has been very worried. As we all have been. You gave us quite a fright,” Mrs. Jeffers said.

  “I did not mean to.” Tears pricked at Violet’s eyes.

  “Now, dearie, you mistake my words. Come now, eat your toast.” She quickly glanced at the door and slipped something from her pocket. “I know the good doctor said only weak tea and toast, but I brought you your favorite,” she whispered. She placed the napkin on the tray.

  Violet unfolded it. Chocolate biscuits. She smiled at the old woman.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I should like Violet to come home with me when I depart,” Lady Flowers said to Haverlane as they sat in the library.

  “I will speak to the doctor,” Ellis said. Violet would leave when she was well enough to travel and not one day before.

  “I am afraid you do not understand, Haverlane. We are fast approaching the Season and Violet must be fitted for new gowns. That alone might take weeks.”

  “Be that as it may,” Ellis drawled, “your daughter will not be leaving Fairhaven until she is fully recovered.” Ellis cast her the look that, he knew, cowed even the Prince at times.

  “Haverlane, if I may speak plainly.” Lady Flowers stood and began to pace in front of the desk. “I was appalled at Christmastide to find a housekeeper and man-about-house the only servants in residence. Not so much as a single footman or a scullery maid. She is the daughter of the Earl of Duncan and should be attended as such, no matter in what capacity she occupies this house. As for this nonsense she remain here until she is well again, I cannot help consider you selfish and thinking of your own feelings. She belongs at home where her own family may take care of her.”

  Ellis stood and walked to the window. Would they truly care for her? He did not think so.

  Lady Flowers continued. “I feel you are only delaying Violet’s return home so she may remain with your own daughter. I gave my permission last summer, for the summer. When the plans fell through with your cousin to take over Jane’s care, I was dismayed. However, Violet pleaded with me to allow her to stay on. Now I see she was under your influence. You have cast some kind of spell over her and I will not stand for it. She will not miss this Season. She will not remain your nanny, parlour maid, or whatever else she has become to you. Violet has a bright future ahead of her and I hope now, as she has come down to size, she will find a husband worthy of her new-found beauty.”

  “How dare you!” Ellis thundered. The words Countess Flowers had just uttered were incredulous. “You are the selfish one madam. You are only thinking of how your daughter’s new found looks should affect you. You do not give a damn about her health, or what her true wishes are. Had I realized, I never would have sent for you. Violet shall remain at Fairhaven until she is well enough to travel and that is my final word.” He stormed from the room.

  No doubt, this was his own mother’s influence. He heard the two harpies in his head as they planned and schemed, not bothering to care what Violet wanted. Lilly had caught Welbey, and though not a great match, he had a fair prospect. Welbey did not care Lilly was penniless, her beauty made up for it. However, he remained a lowly Viscount.

  Now that Violet had come down to size he saw the wheels turning in Lady Rose’s head. Without dowries or family connections, the only thing Lady Flowers depended on was her daughters’ beauty to make a glorious match. Perhaps Lady Flowers wished an Earl’s son for Violet. One with a pretty estate Rose might dower in, and present her other daughters when the time came. Owning to Violet’s generous nature, Ellis could not imagine Violet leaving her mother or sisters behind.

  Ellis smirked to himself. Lady Rose did not comprehend Violet had already met her match, and it was far better than Lilly had ever dreamed. Lady Rose Flowers had better mind her tongue. Or he would influence Violet never to speak to her again.

  He ran up the stairs to Violet’s room. Doctor Blakestock and Mrs. Jeffers stood outside her door.

&nb
sp; “Ah, Haverlane,” the doctor said. “Here you are. I was just coming to find you.”

  “How is Violet?”

  “Very well, very well indeed. The fever is completely gone and she has eaten.”

  “Her mother wishes to know when she may return to Town,” Ellis said. He wanted to know as well.

  “Oh, certainly not for several weeks yet. Lady Violet must regain her strength before undertaking such a journey. Four hours in a well-sprung carriage is nothing for you and I, but for one who has suffered as she has, it is unthinkable. I should say, not before the first of March leastways. She must gain at least a stone.” Doctor Blakestock wiped his spectacles on his handkerchief.

  “Would you mind imparting that information to Lady Flowers? I believe you shall find her in the library,” Ellis said.

  “Certainly. I shall take my leave of you then, Haverlane. I must get back to London. I have left my instructions with the capable Mrs. Jeffers. Although, not too many chocolate biscuits, aye? Fresh and wholesome food shall bring back her weight better than biscuits.” He winked at the astonished Mrs. Jeffers, shook Haverlane’s hand, and went down the stairs.

  “Is she awake?” Ellis asked.

  “She was a moment ago.” Mrs. Jeffers nodded and followed the doctor.

  Ellis knocked on the door. He poked his head in and asked, “Are you up for a short visit?”

  Violet had donned a flannel robe and pulled back her hair with a ribbon. She still looked deathly pale, but her eyes were bright and clear and the blue patches beneath them were fading.

  “Yes, my lord, if you wish.”

  Ellis entered the room and left the door open. “How are you feeling?” He sat in the chair.

  “I am much better, thank you,” Violet said. “I cannot ever remember being so ill. How is Jane?”

  “She is well and asking for you, but Doctor Blakestock recommended a few more days before being in her company. He is afraid of another bout in her weakened condition.”