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Chapter Twenty-Three
“Nicholas?” Jenny called his name softly, gripping his hand as his eyes fluttered. There was no describing the measure of relief that flooded her then.
“Is he waking up?” the dowager asked, rising from her chair and approaching them.
“I think so,” Jenny murmured, watching him and hoping this was the end of the nightmare. With her other hand, she quickly brushed away the tear that ran down her cheek.
“Water,” he croaked, his eyes still closed and his lips dry.
“I’ll get it.” The dowager moved to the table where a pitcher of water and a glass sat.
Jenny was surprised when she gave her the glass and a spoon. She rather thought the woman would try to administer to him herself. It was unlike her to pass up the opportunity to remind people of her power. Placing her hand behind his head, Jenny raised his head so she could give him the water. He took a couple of spoonfuls before he sighed.
“Thank you, Jenny,” he whispered.
“Your eyes are closed. How do you know it’s me?” she teased. She could afford some levity now that he was awake.
He smiled and opened his eyes to look up at her, the vivid blue in them mesmerizing her. She had nearly lost him and she didn’t know what she would have done if she had. “I know your touch.”
That spread warmth across her body and she wanted to lean down and kiss his lips. The dowager’s presence stopped her, however.
“I knew it!” came the dowager’s exclamation. “It will take more than a mere fever to bring a Seaton down. After all, my blood is stronger in his veins.”
Jenny almost rolled her eyes but settled on glaring at her. Moments ago, this woman was telling her to mentally ready herself for Nicholas’s demise. Now she seemed proud of him for waking up. She was a walking contradiction. Nicholas tried to sit up and Jenny helped him, placing several pillows to support his back. “How long have I been sick for?”
“A little more than a day. You gave all of us a fright.”
“Speak for yourself, girl,” the dowager interjected. “I knew he would recover, thus, I had no great concerns.” She settled in her chair and picked up a book from the stack Jenny had kept on the floor earlier.
“Certainly, Your Grace,” Jenny murmured. “You are far tougher than the rest of us.” The dowager did not miss the jab contained in Jenny’s remark and the manner in which she regarded Jenny revealed her displeasure.
“Well, since I did not frighten you, perhaps it is time for you to return to your house and rest,” Nicholas said without looking at his grandmother.
“I will when I see you are able to walk.” She flipped a page from the book in her hand. “A duchess should not be reading such books.”
Jenny did not respond. She touched Nicholas’ forehead before declaring, “It looks like the fever has broken. I shall send for the physician.” She left Nicholas in the room with his grandmother.
Bentley appeared relieved when she informed him of the duke’s condition. The sun was already up and a glance at the clock on the fireplace mantle in the foyer revealed the time to be past six. It was seven when Dr. Jenson arrived and he immediately proceeded to examine Nicholas. “Your Grace, I am pleased to tell you that your fever has greatly subsided.”
“Well, thank heavens,” the dowager said from her seat. She seemed to have taken an interest in Jenny’s geology book.
How ironic, Jenny thought.
“I still feel as though I have been trampled by horses,” Nicholas complained. His voice was hoarse and he slurred his speech.
“It is to be expected, Your Grace. Your body has gone through quite an ordeal. Honestly, I did not think the fever would come down this soon. The state you were in was...rather frightening.”
“So I have been told.”
Dr. Jenson turned to Jenny. “We will hold off on the laudanum and continue to observe him. I will prescribe some medicine that is milder than laudanum. I will also recommend some meadowsweet and ginger tea after each meal to warm and rejuvenate his system.”
“Yes, Dr. Jenson, he needs something to take the chills out of his bones.” The dowager looked up from her book with both of her brows raised. “I heard you have been having cold baths, boy.”
Nicholas glared at her but she appeared to be unperturbed by it. Jenny wanted to ask the dowager how she knew about the cold baths but then she remembered the woman watched their every move in the house.
Dr. Jenson cleared his throat and continued with the instructions he was giving. “I shall return in the evening to check the progress of your recovery. Should my attention be required before then, which I hope not, please send for me immediately.”
“We will. Thank you, Dr. Jenson.”
