“I’ll return to help as soon as it’s done, so I can be here to offer assistance.”
“No,” Athena told him. “You have children. Exposing you to this illness more than necessary would be reckless. I’ll send word if I need anything.”
“Are you sure?” Charles didn’t look remotely convinced.
“Dr. Donovan,” Athena said. “Would you please inform my brother that there is no reason for two of us to risk our health by remaining here?”
“Indeed, it would be prudent to minimize contact with the patient as much as possible,” he said.
“There you are, Charles. Go home and let me deal with this.”
“You’re sure you can manage?”
“Absolutely.”
With another hesitant glance at Robert’s slumbering form, Charles gave a reluctant nod and departed with the physician. Athena took a fortifying breath and crossed to the table where the maid had left the tray. Picking up the bowl of broth, she returned to the bed, perched herself on the edge of it, and prepared to wake Robert just long enough for him to eat.
With careful movements, she spooned broth into his mouth. He thanked her and begged for cold water to drink, which she gave him.
“Athena, dearest. Is there anything I can do to help?” her mother asked when she came to bring a change of clothes later that evening. She wasn’t alone but had brought Robert’s mother with her. “You look a wreck.”
“I’m fine, Mama,” Athena lied because truthfully, she’d never been more afraid in her life. She gave Lady Darlington a hesitant look. “I’m sorry I didn’t come to inform you of Robert’s illness myself, but I was reluctant to leave his side.”
“You made the right decision,” Lady Darlington assured her.
“We thought we might stay here with you,” Mama said.
Athena shook her head. “Charles already offered to do the same. I sent him away.”
“Well, you’re not getting rid of me,” Mama informed her.
“Nor me,” Lady Darlington added.
“I see no reason for either of you to risk your health,” Athena countered. “I do not want you getting sick too. You ought to go home.”
Her mother crossed her arms and held her position. “It isn’t proper for you to be here by yourself with an unmarried man.”
“As far as I am concerned,” Athena exploded, her fear causing her to abandon all reason, “we are husband and wife. I’ll not let a vicar or a signature stand in the way of my caring for him. I’ll not leave his side.”
A sob wracked her body and she helplessly buried her face in her hands, ashamed of the weakened state she’d been reduced to. This wasn’t her. She was the strong one, the one who barged through life with the constant conviction that things would turn out as they should. Except right now, she wasn’t sure of anything anymore, and she very much feared Robert wouldn’t survive this. He was a strong man, and yet he was so incredibly weak at the moment – could barely speak, never mind eat or drink.
Her mother’s arms came around her and for the first time in years, she allowed herself to accept the support being offered. “I understand, Athena. Lord help me, I understand you better than you can imagine.”
“I know, Mama.” Her mother had lost a child once to smallpox. Claire had been Sarah’s twin.
“You are doing what you can,” Lady Darlington added.
“I want to do more.”
“Right now,” Mama said, “he needs rest, something to eat and drink when he’s able, and for you to keep his temperature down. There’s nothing more to be done besides waiting to see how he fares.”
Athena gulped a breath and nodded. It was what Dr. Donovan had told her, but somehow her mother’s soothing voice made it sound much more reasonable. “All right.”
“We’ll take shifts.” Lady Darlington’s voice brooked no argument, and as Athena reminded herself, she had every right to stay and help look after her son. “This could last a week so you will need rest as well.”
“We promise to wake you if he asks for you or if his condition changes,” Mama said. “Agreed?”
“Yes.” Athena stepped back and reached for her mother’s hand. She held on tight. “Thank you. Both of you”
In spite of the two women’s subsequent protest, Athena watched Robert that night while her mother and Lady Darlington slept on the sofas in the next room. When she checked Robert’s compress later, it was warm.
“This is what Hell must feel like,” he groaned during one of his more wakeful moments that night. “My eyes are on fire.”
Locating additional handkerchiefs, Athena wet them all and hung them by the partially open window in the hope that the added winter air would make them cooler. It seemed to work, but when Robert’s fever continued to rise the following evening, even they heated up mere seconds after being placed on his skin.
Unsure what else to do, Athena sat and held his hand while he tossed and turned. She wiped his brow, changed the compresses, and made sure he drank plenty of water.
“It’s time for you to sleep,” Lady Darlington informed her when dawn brought a dim light into the room. “Your mother and I will watch over him until you wake.”
“I really don’t want to leave him.”
“I know, but you’ll be of more use to him if you’re well-rested instead of bleary-eyed and exhausted. Trust me, Athena, I know what I’m doing.”
Accepting her Lady Darlington’s advice, Athena bent to press a soft kiss against Robert’s brow before going to find the vacant sofa. She collapsed with a sigh and slept one second later. It was a process that continued until she lost track of the days. Everything had become one big blur of endless time, stretching in both directions. With the help of some maids, Athena and the two other ladies managed to change Robert’s bed sheets a couple of times after they were soaked through with sweat.
Athena’s heart ached as she sat in the chair next to his bed, ready to keep vigil again. Another fresh bowl of broth had been delivered along with some tea and honey. Deciding to change his compress before attempting to feed him again, she collected the handkerchief pressed to his brow and brushed her fingertips gently across his skin.
A bright spark of hope darted through her. She sucked in a breath and placed her palm over his forehead. The heat she’d felt there before had retreated, thank God.
Allowing a smile for the first time in days, she forced back the tears of joy creeping into her eyes and returned to her seat. Best let him sleep. With the fever gone, she was certain he’d wake on his own when he was ready to eat.
“Athena?”
The low, rough sound of her name and a gentle pull on her hand roused her from her slumber. She started and scrambled upright in her chair with a gasp. Her gaze darted about the room until she realized it was Robert who’d spoken. He was watching her with a steady gaze that sent instant relief crashing through her.
“You’re awake,” she whispered and checked his forehead again to be sure the fever was indeed gone.
“I’m sorry to disturb you,” he said, “but I’m so incredibly thirsty. And hungry.”
A grin caught her lips as she leapt from her chair. “Yes. Of course. You’ve barely had anything to eat or drink in days.”
She filled a glass with water and helped Robert into a sitting position, this time with greater ease than before now that he was able to help get himself upright. He took the glass from her and downed the liquid while she called for a maid to bring up a proper bowl of soup and some bread. As soon as the meal arrived, he ate with gusto until no drop remained.
A yawn followed. “I think I’ll sleep a bit more now if that’s all right.”
“Of course,” Athena assured him. She tucked the blankets around his shoulders and kissed the top of his head. “I’m so incredibly glad to see you looking better.”
“I love you,” he murmured.
“I love you too.”
Chapter 8
It took another week before Robert began feeling l
ike his old self. Christ, he’d been sick. The fact that he scarcely recalled anything beyond vague visions of people moving about the room and distant voices conversing was testament to the half-conscious state he’d been in. His rooms had now been completely aired out. Five days had passed since Athena had returned home with Lady Roxley. He missed her terribly, but they’d both needed time to recover and the small reprieve had allowed him to spend some time with his mother, for which he was grateful.
Donning his hat and gloves, he prepared to leave Mivart’s for the first time in a fortnight. Lord and Lady Roxley had invited him to dine, providing he felt up to it, and he’d happily accepted the invitation. When he arrived, he was glad to discover that it would be a small, intimate family dinner, without the rest of the Townsbridges present.
“I’m sorry I ruined our wedding,” he told Athena softly once the initial greetings had been concluded. “Are you certain you still want me, after everything I’ve put you through?”
She stared at him as if she failed to comprehend the words coming out of his mouth. “After everything you put me through? How about everything I put you through, Robert? You suffered years of torment because of me. As for your influenza, I was more than happy to make sure you survived it. Good lord, I love you, you daft man.”
“And I love you, you brazen vixen,” he said with a grin. “The headlines do too, it would seem. This morning you were mentioned as the lady who saved Lord Darlington from certain death, though there’s still some question as to whether or not we’ll marry.”
“Of course we will,” Athena told him firmly. She frowned. “Won’t we?”
The uncertain vulnerability filling her eyes was so rare and so raw it speared his heart. “If you’ll still have me, then I’m all yours.”
Her mouth broadened into a smile that transformed to a grin as she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close for a kiss. It didn’t matter that her parents were standing mere feet away or that the butler had just stepped into the room to inform them dinner was served. Athena didn’t care and neither did Robert. The only thing that mattered in that precise moment was that they were back in each other’s arms.
“I can have a word with the vicar tomorrow,” Robert suggested once they were seated at the table.
“Actually,” Athena said, “I’m thinking it might be nice to avoid a big to do for our second attempt.”
“We could host something here,” her mother suggested, “if you’re aiming for a more private event.”
“What do you think?” Athena asked Robert.
He loved that she cared about his opinion. From what he gathered, most women tended to take over the wedding arrangements without any thought to their fiancé’s wishes. When he’d planned on marrying Bethany, no one had consulted him about anything. “I think a small affair with only the closest family present sounds perfect.”
Athena beamed. “Thank you, Robert.”
“And if you’re amicable to the idea,” he said, “I suggest departing for Darlington House immediately after the wedding breakfast. It won’t take more than three hours to reach it as long as the weather holds, and as much as I like Mivart’s, I must confess I’m not eager to spend any additional nights there.”
“You could stay here,” Lord Roxley offered.
“Papa,” Athena said, her voice so aghast Robert had to stifle a laugh. “I will not spend my wedding night in the same house as my parents.”
“I have to agree with her, dear,” Lady Roxley murmured. “It’s not really done.”
Lord Roxley sighed. “I only meant to tell Darlington that he is welcome.”
“Thank you,” Robert said, and raised his wine glass toward his future father-in-law. He drank, then glanced at Athena. “Well? What do you think?”
“If we’re married by noon and Mama is able to restrain herself to three dishes for the wedding breakfast’s menu, then we ought to arrive at our destination by six. Seven at the latest. All in all, I like the suggestion a lot.”
Robert couldn’t agree more. In fact, the idea appealed tremendously. He was more than ready to make Athena his and could scarcely wait to get her home so they could begin their life together. It pleased him, knowing they were of like minds. It also pleased him to know that she’d never once doubted his love or devotion. When Charles had come to call on him a couple of days ago, he’d told Robert that he’d imagined the worst when Robert had failed to appear at the church, but that Athena’s belief in him had never wavered – that she’d been convinced something must have happened to keep him from her. And so it had.
“My sister has matured significantly since you came back into her life,” Charles had said. “You have somehow managed to calm her tempestuous nature, which is something I would have sworn wasn’t possible.”
“I suspect I gave her a dreadful fright. In truth, I’ve never been so ill before in my life and hope I never shall be again. Athena cared for me with diligence. She’s not as irresponsible as you and the rest of your family think.”
“No. I’m beginning to gather she’s not.” Charles’s gaze had grown pensive. “I believe she’s as lucky to have you as you are to have her. I’m glad the two of you found your way to each other. And I wish you both an endless amount of happiness.”
Much to Athena’s satisfaction, the ceremony was completed one week later in under ten minutes. It was followed by a wedding breakfast consisting of exactly three dishes, of which one was the cake, so the meal was over in record time. And since it was a sunny day, the journey to Darlington House took only a little over two hours. They arrived by six in the evening.
“Although I stand by the apology I gave you when I first came here,” Athena said once she’d greeted the servants and Robert had shown her upstairs, “I’m not sorry I prevented you from marrying Bethany. Can you imagine if you had? It would have been awful for me to grow up and fall in love with you only to have you married to someone else while Bethany and Charles loved each other and—.”
“I fell in love with you,” he murmured to complete her sentence. She occupied the chair adjacent to his near the fireplace in the bedchamber they would now share. The glass of port he’d offered her when they’d entered the room was cradled between her hands. The drink had already produced a pleasant swirl of heat in her stomach.
“Yes. What a tangle it would have been.”
“It’s a good thing we avoided it then.”
“I like to think so.”
“And I’m inclined to agree.” Reaching out, he took the glass from her and set it aside. With a tug on her hand he pulled her from her chair and toward him, until she landed in his lap. His eyes gleamed in appreciation of her nearness, causing her own body to hum with pleasure. “Everything turned out as it was meant to. They have each other and I have you.”
She didn’t wait for him to initiate the inevitable kiss. Bold and eager, she closed the distance herself and captured his mouth with her own. Robert’s arms tightened around her, drawing her closer until she was pressed against him.
“I could do this forever,” she murmured against his skin while trailing soft kisses along his jawline.
“And I would readily allow it.”
He sucked in a breath when she pushed her hands under his jacket, and again when her fingers began untying his cravat with deft tugs. Air hissed from between his teeth as he expelled it, prompting her to still.
She leaned back slightly and looked him squarely in the eye. “I know I can be unruly but maybe that’s the wrong approach to this? If you’d rather I show more restraint, please say so and I shall strive to—”
“God no.” He cupped her cheek. “I love your unruliness, Athena, and frankly, there is no better place for it than here in our bedchamber. If you wish to rip off my clothes, then by all means proceed. I can assure you I will approve.”
She grinned, then gasped when he tore the back of her traveling gown wide open – it was the sleeveless one intended to be worn with a shirt underneath. “Rober
t!”
“I’m only trying to follow your lead,” he purred, his gaze so dark and wicked it reached inside and filled her with heat.
Resuming her movements she tugged and pulled while he did the same until he suddenly grinned. “Lord help me. You’re once again wearing breeches.”
She smirked at him. “Of course. The last time you saw me in them you seemed to like the way they looked.”
“God yes.” He helped her stand so her gown could be properly removed. His gaze swept her body, which was now clad in creamy buckskin, satin stays, and a perfectly tailored lawn shirt. A grin widened his mouth as he went to work on the laces and buttons. “I do believe we shall have to order several more such outfits for you. To wear in private, of course.”
She met his gaze and smiled. “Of course.”
Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her while linen and satin floated around them, until they were both completely undressed. A squeal of surprise shot from her throat when he suddenly lifted her into the air and carried her to the bed. His kisses devoured, matching her hunger as he tumbled them onto the mattress. A giggle erupted from within her breast, becoming a sigh of pure pleasure when the palm of his hand swept up over her hip.
“Christ, you’re perfect,” he whispered while fitting himself between her thighs. “Men really ought to hold hoydens in higher regard.”
“We’re a very enthusiastic bunch.” As if to prove it, she wrapped her legs around him and rolled them over so she was on top. “And I for one am eager to learn. Will you teach me how to be your ideal lover?”
“Yes,” he promised in a gravelly tone. His fingertips travelled the length of her spine. She relaxed into his touch and he took advantage, flipping her onto her back when she least expected. A wolfish grin curled his lips, and then he bowed his head to kiss her. “But first, it is my duty to show you the stars.”
And so he did, loving her with every kiss and each touch until her soul melded with his.
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