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The dowager stood, following the physician’s departure, and set Jenny's book down. “I shall retire to my own home and sleep. I shan’t be disturbed unless it is an emergency.”
“There will be no emergency, Your Grace. Do have a good day.”
“Likewise.” She paused with her hand on the door. “See that you find something better to occupy yourself with. Geology is no subject for a woman.”
She exited the room before Jenny could respond but the good thing was that she was gone and Jenny was glad of it. “I need a bath,” Nicholas said, reminding her of something she needed to confront him about.
“I learned of a quite interesting matter,” she began, holding his gaze. “Ice baths.”
He closed his eyes and muttered something that sounded like a curse under his breath. “You should not be paying attention to what my grandmother says.”
“Your grandmother said, ‘coldbaths’ and I said, ‘icebaths.’”
His body visibly stiffened and he looked embarrassed. “Jenny, I’ve just had one of the worst moments of my life. Surely you can pardon me until I am better.”
She supposed shecouldwait for him to recover before confronting him. Looking down at his pale face, she decided to take pity on him. “I’ll ring for Ramsay.” She left his side to call his valet.
When the bathwater was prepared, Jenny checked the temperature herself to make sure it was warm enough before approving. Then she left the room to find Mrs. Wells and the cook to instruct them on Nicholas’s meals. He would need his diet slightly changed while he was recovering.
* * *
“Get that vile thing away from me,” he snapped when Ramsay attempted to give him the spoon with the thick, clear liquid in it.
There were few things in the world that Nicholas detested more than the taste of medicine. “Your Grace, you need the medicine to recover. Your fever came back last night.”
“It is not serious,” Nicholas returned, walking to the tall mirror in his dressing room to regard himself. A few days of being ill had done more harm to his body than he would have liked. Sure, he could take the medicine Ramsay was giving him but he hated it. It would take a lot to convince him to swallow that thing.
“Ah, Your Grace.” The cheer in Ramsay’s voice made Nicholas turn around to see who came in. “I have been trying to get the duke to take his medicine.”
“Perhaps I can help,” came Jenny’s soft voice.
“Well done, Ramsay.” He stepped into his bed chamber clapping very slowly. “Tell the duchess, will you? Perhaps she can convince me. How very noble of you.”
Ramsay cleared his throat. “It is out of concern, Your Grace.”
Jenny took the filled spoon from him and nodded, silently asking him to leave them alone. He bowed and left. She turned stern-looking green eyes to Nicholas and he found his throat convulsing as he swallowed.
“Will you take it?” She asked, approaching him.
“Unless you’re going to force it down my throat, I am not taking it.”
She smiled a little, causing his shoulders to relax. “I’m not going to force you but I will have you know that there are people that care about you even if you don’t care about yourself. There are also people that depend on you.”
“Between you and Ramsay, I don’t know who is more manipulating.” He sat down in a chair at the sitting area and picked up the news sheet that lay on the table beside his chair.
“I think your grandmother will take that prize.” She came to stand in front of him. “Nicholas, I am too young to become a widow and I am sure you know what will become of me if that happens.”
He immediately reached for the spoon and swallowed the contents, wincing as he did. If he died without an heir, the title would go to Ernest and although he had no doubt that Jenny would be cared for, he could not bear the thought of her being a young widow. The men that would approach her caused him no small concern.
The image of a certain dandy appeared in his mind. Hell would freeze over before he died and left Jenny to Sir Phineas. He raised his eyes to meet hers. “My grandmother certainly does not take that prize, Jenny.Youdo.”
She smiled. “I know.” Then she took the spoon from his hands and poured more medicine into it. “Now, be a good husband and finish your dose.”
“I’m only doing this because it’s you.”
“And I thank you for that.” Jenny sat down opposite him after he had taken the medicine. There was a determined look in her eyes and made him somewhat nervous.
“I believe I have given you enough time to convalesce,” she began, “and now I have to talk to you about those baths.”
