Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I am resting,” I told her. “I’m sitting here by his lordship’s side.”
“Perhaps you will take some sustenance, then,” Geraldine suggested. “Mrs. Dougall said you didn’t break your fast this morning, and it is afternoon now.”
I hadn’t the stomach to eat this morning. I had been fraught. And my fears hadn’t been for naught. My father had proven a dishonorable liar and fired a second shot at Alexander, wounding him. Had his aim been any better…
I shuddered, not able to think of the consequences had my father’s bullet hit its intended mark. I would have lost my husband. I would have been devastated, weeping on the floor, screaming at the heavens, instead of sitting by a peacefully slumbering Alexander. I was incredibly thankful that the outcome of the duel had been a mere grazing for the man I loved.
For my father and his injury, I hadn’t spared a thought. He was dead to me.
“My lady,” Geraldine repeated gently. “You must eat.”
I shook my head. “I find that I’m not hungry.”
“For the babe’s sake, if not for your own,” she pressed.
I gently caressed the swell of my stomach. “I will eat later.”
“It isn’t good for the babe, my lady. You must have something, perhaps some honey cakes or a bit of jam and bread. I will fetch you a tray.”
My stomach rumbled.
I relented, nodding. “If you must.”
“I must.” Geraldine dipped into a curtsy before disappearing.
When she had gone, I turned back to Alexander. It hurt my heart to see him brought low. He was so still, so very unlike himself. My sole reassurance was in the steady rising and falling of his broad chest, proof that he was merely resting.
He had been in more danger than I had even known today. Rage grew within me anew at the knowledge that my father had attempted to kill Alexander. Did his hatred for me know no bounds? Or had he merely been so intent upon regaining control over my life that he had been willing to do anything to take my husband from me and force me back under his roof?
I would never know, for I had no wish to speak with him ever again.
I reached for Alexander’s hand, which was lying on the counterpane with such serenity. His skin was warm and vibrant, a reminder that he had survived as he had promised he would.
“I am sorry, my love, for calling you names,” I murmured, feeling guilty for my reception of him.
I had been terrified and then relieved and then worried again when I had spied his wound.
He had been in good spirits, however, insisting it was just a scratch, and I had understood at once that the greatest of the danger to him had passed. He would live.
That was the most important thing.
But I would still be breathing much easier when he was awake and smiling at me again and when I knew that no infection had set in.
Geraldine returned then, bearing a tray laden with far more than she had suggested, beaming at me with an encouraging smile. “Here you are, my lady. An assortment from Cook.”
She settled the tray on a table, and I spied sweets and tea. “Thank you, Geraldine.”
“You needn’t thank me, my lady. I am happy to be of some service and comfort.”
I stood from the chair, stretching as I did so. Although I wasn’t heavy with child yet, my small frame meant that I felt the weight of our growing child already, and it was more than I had expected. My back ached from sitting in the chair for so long.
I went to Geraldine and laid a hand on her arm. “You have been so loyal and good, first to my mother, and then to me.”
“It is the least I can do, my lady. Your mother would have wanted me to look after you, and it wasn’t much, but I did as best as I could. I’m pleased to see you settled and contented with the marquess now. Your dear mother would have been happy too.”
I liked to think that my mother would have adored Alexander. I wished the two of them could have met. But fate hadn’t allowed such a meeting.
“I am indeed settled and contented,” I agreed softly, casting another glance at Alexander, who still slept on, unaware of the bustle around him.
“You love his lordship very much, don’t you?”
“I do. He is the first man who has ever shown me kindness and love. My father never did.”
Thoughts of the baron made me frown. He had hurt me for the last time, and I would never allow him to harm Alexander again either.
Geraldine’s countenance shifted. “I think he would have loved you very much, my lady.”
Her words took me by surprise. It took me a moment to realize just what she had said, for it made no sense.