His glassy, watery eyes raised to me. “This may be diff’cult to hear.”
My breath caught. Did this concern Elizabeth or Bennet? “For pity’s sake, tell me what he said!”
Richard cringed and covered both ears with his hands. “You need not shout.”
I took a moment to regain my calm. After all, why should I assume the worst? No doubt Graham had told Richard of my impending death, leaving him shaken by the news. “What did he say to you?”
“Do you believe Mr. Graham can foretell the future?”
“As remarkable as it may sound, yes.”
“What do you mean? How did he convince you?”
The toe of my boot tapped upon the floor. “Just tell me what has upset you.”
He brushed his hand over his chin. “In August, I went to Bellwood Hall. After dinner, Henry and I spoke to my father in his study. He had several glasses of port that evening and talkedof your mother. He described the difficulties she endured in order to have children.”
I moved to the edge of my seat, my back straight and stiff. “What did your father say?”
“He mentioned the many miscarriages she suffered, which lowered her spirits and damaged her vigour. She was elated at your birth, but the protracted labour left her quite weak. It took her the greater part of a year to recover.”
I gritted my teeth. No one had provided any details of my birth before, but my mother had always seemed rather frail.
“Darcy, I am sorry, I…” Richard shook his head, his features buckled and drawn.
“Pray continue.”
“You may know the circumstances of Georgiana’s birth, but I was staying with family friends at the time.”
“Yes, I am aware.” My throat dried up. Memories emerged from that time. Mother had declared her great happiness at having provided me with a sister and my father with a daughter. Yet her felicity did not last. Within a few days of Georgiana’s birth, Mother contracted a dangerous fever, and her strength ebbed with each passing hour. When we lost her, our anguish placed a pall over the household for many months. Yet my love for Georgiana had been established at my first sight of her.
Two years ago, I had been frantic with anxiety during Elizabeth’s confinement and spent countless hours in zealous prayer for her safety. Eschewing sleep, I watched over my wife those first nights after Bennet’s birth as she slept, consumed with dread that a sign of childbed fever would manifest. After the fifth day of my vigil passed without incident, my apprehension dissipated. I had been blessedly fortunate. My wife recovered from childbirth swiftly, and Bennet continued to be robust.
“Once I departed my father’s home, it struck me that Georgiana may have inherited the tendency for difficulties with the birthing process from her mother.”
I started at Richard’s disturbing statement. “That notion never occurred to me. Although Georgiana resembles our mother, she is taller and far healthier and stronger.”
“Earlier, Mr. Graham and I played a game of billiards. Without the least preamble from me, he addressed my concern and spoke of my future, or rather Georgiana’s future.”
I stilled. “Well?”
“He asserted that she and I should have three healthy children and she would enjoy a long life.”
“That is a relief.” I leaned back against my chair.
Richard’s eyes widened. “How can you believe such nonsense? Fortune-tellers are naught but frauds!”
“Yes, I do not doubt most of them are charlatans.” I raked my fingers over my scalp. “But Graham is gifted with insight I can neither explain nor understand. Elizabeth and I have both witnessed demonstrations of his talent. You ought to believe what he told you.”
He rubbed his eyes. “From anyone else, I should dismiss this as a flight of fancy or self-delusion, but you are the most sensible person of my acquaintance. If you believe in Mr. Graham’s ability as a seer, I am persuaded to agree.” Chuckles shook his chest. “This is wonderful news!”
“Indeed, it is.”
“But I have been such a dolt.” He rose from his chair quickly—too quickly—and staggered, lifting his hand to his head. “I must speak to Georgiana at once.”
I stood and pushed him, causing him to land heavily in the chair.
He groaned. “What are you doing?”
