AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No,” Eleanor said quickly. “We cannot betray their trust.”
“So, you want to remain part of their scandalous affair?” Henry asked, quite surprised that Eleanor would want to support her brother who always treated her with such cruelty.
“No,” Eleanor replied. “It’s not that. I… don’t know… I don’t know what to make of this situation, Henry. What should we do about the money?”
“The money?” Henry asked. He looked deeply into Eleanor’s eyes. She did seem very sick. It was possible she was delirious or at the very least imagining portions of conversations that did not exist.
“Yes,” Eleanor whispered conspiratorially. She leaned toward Henry so that only a few inches separated them. “Rosalin asked me to loan her a great deal of money. She told me she and Frederick would need it so they could start their new life together.”
Henry startled. “Frederick didn’t say anything about needing money. He only told me of his affections and his wishes to marry Lady Clay. He asked that I grant her permission to stay in our house for a few days. That was all.”
Eleanor sighed deeply and then she collapsed against her pillows. “Henry, I fear there is more at work here than either you or I comprehend.”
“What should we do? What do you want me to do?” Henry asked, willing to give Eleanor anything she should ask of him.
“I cannot be sure,” Eleanor said, her lower lip trembling. “I think I would like to sleep a little more and then perhaps you and I can discuss matters more in depth once I feel myself again.”
“Of course,” Henry replied. He leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on the top of Eleanor’s head. “Rest well. I will not leave your side.”
Eleanor’s eyes fluttered shut and almost at once, she fell asleep. Henry reclined, as much as he could, in the vanity chair, and then his eyes began drooping as well. Henry fought against sleep, but as he had not even made it to bed the night before, he was overcome.
* * *
When Henry awoke, it was because his grandmother was shaking his shoulder. “Wake up, come on now, wake up. You will give yourself a terrible neckache sitting in such a pose.”
Henry shook his head, sleepily and he glanced up at his grandmother. “What’s the matter?” He asked.
“Shh,” she hushed him. “Her Grace is still asleep.” Henry’s grandmother nodded toward the bed where Eleanor was napping. She looked very peaceful, and Henry could hear her light breaths coming in and out evenly. He stood and stretched his arms over his head.
Henry took a few steps away from Eleanor’s bedside, and then asked again, “Is something wrong?”
Henry’s grandmother narrowed her eyes, the violet color in them practically disappearing. “I’m concerned,” she said, her jaw clenching.
“I know. She does not seem to be getting any better,” Henry replied, nodding back over his shoulder at Eleanor. “I don’t know how long I was asleep. Did Dr. Wexler make an appearance? Did you speak with him?”
“He has been in,” the Dowager Duchess said, still eyeing her grandson critically.
“And?” Henry prompted.
“And,” the Dowager Duchess returned carefully, “he says he will continue to monitor your wife’s condition.”
Henry was so tired. He felt as though his grandmother had something she wanted to say, but she was holding back for some reason.
I don’t have the time or the patience for this.
“Grandmother, if there is something you wish to say, I do ask that you share it now. I feel as though…” Henry stopped talking when his grandmother’s severe stare changed from quizzical to fierce.
She cleared her throat. “I am sorry Her Grace is ill. I must say that first. But she is not my concern right now. We need to speak about Lady Clay and Lord Barrow.”
Henry sighed heavily. “I’m afraid I have very little to say on that subject, Grandmother.”
“I should think you would have a great deal to say about the matter. They are staying in your house… our house. The entiretonwill be abuzz with gossip. Do you not understand the implications? What with the doctor and the servants coming and going, everyone, absolutely everyone will know that the two of them are here together!”
Henry sighed impatiently. “And anyone who knows Eleanor will assume that Lady Clay is here because she is Eleanor’s friend. She arrived just as Eleanor fell ill and she is bound to be by her side.”
“Don’t be a fool,” Henry’s grandmother snapped. “You can rest assured no one in thetonwill be. Lady Clay may be close to Eleanor, but there is no mistaking the attachment she has to the earl. Tell me truly, did you know of this affair when you let her into the house?”
Henry glanced toward his wife to make sure she was still sleeping. “I did,” Henry replied tersely.
