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“Your Grace,” Dr. Harris said with a bow to Harry. “Where is the babe?”
“Under the coverlet with his mother.”
“With steam,” Emma added.
“Excellent,” the physician commented. “We will need more steam.”
“It’s on its way,” Simon said.
“Is it croup then?” Louisa asked as she tossed the coverlet off her. Her normally straight hair appeared even more flattened from the steam.
“I won’t know for certain until I examine him,” Dr. Harris said gently. “Let me see the little lordling.”
George released a horrible barking cough as Louisa removed him from his steam bath. Dr. Harris grasped the infant under the arms and brought him down on the bed.
“Symptoms?”
Louisa cleared her throat. “Stuffy nose, slight fever, and that dreadful co
ugh.”
Dr. Harris did a routine exam on George and declared, “A cold with croup. Keep up with the steam to clear his cough. I will give you something to help reduce his fever and make him more comfortable. I will return tomorrow afternoon to see how he’s doing.”
Louisa’s face finally relaxed. “Thank you, doctor.”
“Of course.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a small vial of liquid. “Give him two drops every eight hours.”
Louisa nodded.
Harry moved toward the door to escort the physician out. Once the door closed, Louisa looked at them both and said, “Thank you for coming.”
Emma sat down on the bed next to her sister and wrapped her in a warm embrace. “I know this is not what you thought your life would be like, but you must not let yourself become so overwrought over everything concerning George.”
Louisa shook her head as tears streamed down her face. “He is the future Duke of Worthington, Emma. I must do everything in my power to protect him.”
“Duchess,” Simon started slowly, “every child will have times where they are sick, hurt, or sad. Just love him. Do not let him miss out on things that might put him in harm’s way. He will be a stronger man for his mistakes and failings. He will learn how to become the best duke as his father did before him. You should always be there with your arms open when he needs his mother’s strength and love.”
He rose and held out his hand to Emma. “Miss Drake, I believe we should take our leave now.”
Once settled in the carriage, Simon glanced over at Emma only to notice her staring at him. “Is something amiss, Emma?”
“What you said to my sister tonight was perfect. I couldn’t seem to find the right words.”
He shrugged. “I was far more impressed by your words than mine. I hadn’t realized what a difficult time it must be for her.”
“It has been an odd time for her, indeed. First discovering that she loved your brother as more than friends and then trying to get him to recognize her as more than a friend. Marrying a duke and having his heir. It might have been easier if George had been born a girl.”
“No,” he replied with a shake of his head.
“Why not? She would have been able to adjust to motherhood without the strain of knowing the babe was the heir.”
“And instead, she would be concerned about getting with child as quickly as possible to give him an heir.”
“Hmm,” she muttered as if considering his words carefully. “I suppose you are correct. If she can keep from becoming with child again for a while, it will do her wonders.”
He chuckled softly. “I am quite sure my brother can manage to take precautions.”
“Precautions?” Her brows furrowed in thought. “So, there are ways then?”
