AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I do not wish to speak of it because you will not understand, your ladyship,” I snapped, only to see her face fall and her body pull away from me. Immediately, I regretted it. “Forgive me. I am tired.”
I lay back down and turned onto my side. It was not right for me to lash out at her. All she wished to do was care for me. I knew that. But at the same time, I just felt aggravated.
“I shall leave. Bernice shall sit with you should you need anything.” She gently placed her hand on my shoulder before I felt the bed shift as she rose.
When the door closed, I rolled onto my back and looked above me. I truly wanted to go home. I wanted to sleep in my own bed and be where people would leave me in the darkness of my mind.
Knock. Knock.
“My lady.”
See, this was what I meant.
“Enter,” I said, sitting up as Bernice brought a tray with a single bowl and spoon on it and placed it before me. I stared at the light-yellow chicken, carrot, and pea soup.
“This is it?” I asked her. For some reason, I was expecting more.
“Yes, my lady,” she replied, lifting the spoon for me. I took it from her and leaned over to taste a bit of it, and shockingly, it was so sweet and warm.
I grinned. “It is good.”
“I am glad. I was worried when Dr. Darrington said he would cook it.”
“What? He made it?”
“The cook had already retired for the evening. I’d planned to go retrieve him, but Dr. Darrington suddenly said he would prepare it himself.”
“And he did not make a mess of the place?”
“No, my lady. He seemed well adept. I merely brought the ingredients he sought.”
I stared down at the soup. I had learned something new. Not only was he a scholar and a gifted doctor, but also a cook.
I could not help but giggle. Just when I felt like succumbing to my misery, he somehow lifted my spirits.
“My lady?”
“Nothing.” I smiled, thinking of how he must have looked, as I took another bite.
It truly was delicious.
Theodore
I had surely lost my mind, for why else would I be in their kitchen? I had forced myself to leave when the marchioness had entered Verity’s room, as I could not bear to be beside Verity and not hold her. Yet I could not bear to leave either. As soon as I had made it to the doors, it was as if I were taken over by some greater force, and I searched for any other reason to stay. Even though I knew it was not possible, part of me wished for her to ask me to remain with her.
“This is maddening,” I muttered to myself as I cleaned off my hands and moved to get my bag from the kitchen counter.
I had to leave.
“Dr. Darrington!” called out a familiar voice from the servants’ exit. None other than Damon Du Bell was at the stairs. He was dressed simply but not yet for bed, despite the lateness of the hour.
“My lord?” I said to him.
He glanced around and down the hall before nodding for me to follow him upstairs. “If I could have a moment more of your time?”
By God, can I not free myself from this place! I thought but, nevertheless, followed him. It was only at the top of the stairs that he spoke but lowly.
“I do not wish to alert the house. However, is it possible for you to examine my wife?”
“What is the matter with her?” I asked, now following him down the hall.
“Lately, she has been plagued with a horrid nausea that sometimes results in vomiting both day and night. It leaves her greatly fatigued. Each time she claims it is merely the food that disagrees with her. But I am beginning to worry it is more than that,” he said as we reached the door to his room.
“Any other complaint?”
“Not that she tells me,” he replied. He opened his mouth to speak, only to stop himself.
“My lord?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. I believe it might be my imagination. However…”
“However?”
Again, he paused. “It is best you see her yourself.”
I waited for him to go in before I entered. She was sitting up in bed, reading a book, and upon seeing me, her eyes widened immediately.
“Dr. Darrington? Damon? What is going on?”
“Sweetheart, I cannot bear that you are unwell, so I have brought him to find the cause—”
“Damon! I told you I did not wish to cause a fuss. I am perfectly well.”
“Mere moments ago, you looked as though you were ready to empty the contents of your stomach upon our bed,” he replied and then looked at me. “I beg of you, look to her. She would rather suffer in silence than have my mother think her ill.”
