“Vickers, have you seen Lady Harrington?”
“She is indisposed, my lord.” The woman’s face was so stiff it might have been a mask.
This could not be happening. Nothing could happen to her. “Indisposed?” Geoff wanted to shout at his wife’s dresser. “She was perfectly fine earlier.”
“Well, she’s not now, my lord.” The maid stood in front of the door as if she would bar him from entering Elizabeth’s bedchamber.
He raked his fingers through his hair. Damn. Had he been the cause? Was that the reason her maid looked as if she’d like to hit him?
Elizabeth had been walking stiffly this morning, but she seemed fine later on. “I shall just look in on her.”
“She does not wish to be disturbed, my lord.” The woman shifted, barring the way.
What would Vickers do if he moved her aside? But if Elizabeth wanted to be alone, would she be upset with him? “Will she be able to travel in the morning?”
“I believe so. At least she plans on it.” He’d never before noticed how grim the woman was.
Plans on it? It suddenly occurred to him that she might be ill but was still intent on traveling tomorrow. Would it be like his wife to hide a serious condition? This seemed like that was something he should know. “Should I call for the doctor?”
“No, my lord.” The maid’s hands went to her hips. “A doctor isn’t needed.”
“Then what?” He had to do something.
Elizabeth could not simply have taken ill so rapidly. There had to be a reason. He was her husband. He would insist on seeing her. He’d order the maid to move out of his way. This was his wife they were talking about. He had a right to know what was wrong.
“Goodness, what in Heaven’s name is going on here?” His mother entered the parlor. “Harrington, I could hear you bellowing from the corridor.”
“Elizabeth is indisposed. Whatever that means,” Geoff grumbled. All he wanted to do was have everyone go away so he could see for himself how his wife was doing.
“In that case, go away.” His mother gave him a disgusted look. “You will not do her any good by stomping and roaring around. If I were her, I would insist on waiting to depart.”
“I am going to send for the doctor.” He started to walk out the door, but his mother’s hand stayed him.
“You will not.” Mama rolled her eyes. “He won’t be able to help her at all.” Geoffrey stared at his mother. He had never seen her roll her eyes before. Not only that, but he distinctly recalled being punished for doing the same. “I cannot believe you are being so—so knotty-pated. Being indisposed is not an illness.” She made a shooing motion with her hands. “Away with you.”
This was not supposed to be happening. Everything had been going splendidly and now this. And no one would allow him near Elizabeth to ensure she would be able to travel in the morning.
How the devil was he supposed to care for her in sickness—he remembered that he had vowed to do so—if her maid and his mother wouldn’t let him through the door?
Geoff went back to his bedchamber and paced.
He wanted to commiserate with someone, but the only two men left in Town that he might be able to talk to were Bentley, which would require too much effort, and Turley. Her brother, though, would be more concerned about Elizabeth than listening to Geoff. Father would only tell him to leave it to his mother.
He grabbed his hat and cane. There was one place he could go to that would help. Jackson’s boxing saloon. If he wasn’t going to be allowed to see his wife, at least he could hit something.
As luck would have it, he met up with Endicott crossing Bond Street and fell in with him. “Going to Jackson’s?”
Elliott inclined his head in greeting. “Yes. You?”
“I need some exercise before the journey tomorrow.” They reached the door and Geoff pulled it open.
“I take it your bride is being pulled in ten different ways.” Endicott strode through the door after Geoff. “Devil of a thing about families. Don’t want you around until they do. We had to pry my mother’s hands off my brother and his wife when they left to go to Cumbria, and they were only going for a month. I can’t imagine what the two of you are going through.”
When they arrived there were two men in the ring, but no one seemed to be waiting. “We’ve already had to put off leaving for three days.”
“Wouldn’t be surprised if she took to her bed with a sick headache. I know my sister-in-law threatened to do just that.”
Was that it? Had Elizabeth merely wanted time alone? God. Geoff prayed that was all it was. He wouldn’t even blame her for it. She had taken on the logistical aspects of their journey like she was born to it. Still, it had to have taken its toll on her strength, especially after their coupling. “Care to spar with me?”
