| |
A LETTER FROM ROBERT arrived the following day, inquiring after Athena’s health. She wrote back, informing him she was well, that her wedding gown had arrived, and that she was more than ready for them to begin their life together.
When Athena woke the next morning, ice crystals had formed on her window. She pressed her fingertips against the frozen glass. They’d not picked the best time of year for a wedding, but at least today was clear without a hint of rain. A maid started a fire in the grate while another brought Athena a hot cup of tea and a breakfast tray.
“Are you ready to get dressed?” her mother asked a short while later when she came to check on her.
Athena popped the last of her toast in her mouth and savored the sweet cherry preserves she’d scooped onto it. “I believe so.”
Her mother smiled and stepped aside to grant the small parade of maids waiting outside entry. Just as it had been on that long ago day when she’d been presented at court, her body was washed from head to toe before being perfumed. Hair was pulled, braided, styled, and adorned with diamond-tipped pins, and her face was massaged with a milky honey-scented lotion before being powdered. Stockings were tied in place with ribbons, a silk chemise slipped over her head. Then came the stays and at last the gown itself. Lace cap sleeves with scalloped edging embroidered with silver thread accentuated the pleated simplicity of the bodice. A wide satin ribbon circled her waist, below which the skirt fell in light diaphanous folds.
“You look stunning,” her mother said. “Let’s hope you don’t render your future husband too speechless. After all, he still has to speak his vows.”
With a grin, Athena accompanied her downstairs where her father stood waiting. A sheen of moisture brightened his eyes the moment he saw her. “Good lord. I’m starting to wonder if there’s any man on this earth who deserves you.”
“Robert does,” Athena told him.
“You’re quite certain?” her father asked, as if to be sure.
“More than I’ve ever been about anything else before.”
Leaning forward, her father placed a kiss upon her cheek. “Then by all means, let us be off so you can have him.”
Wrapped in a cloak she intended to take off when they reached the church, Athena savored the warmth of the hot brick placed at her feet in the carriage. St. James’s Church wasn’t far. It took them no more than five minutes to reach it. Carriages and horses belonging to guests packed the streets around the building. Filled with excitement, Athena alit from her own conveyance and started forward, following her parents inside.
But when she entered the vestibule, she was met by Charles, William, and James, who all looked unnervingly grim. Athena’s heart made a small flutter.
“He’s not here yet,” Charles declared without any preamble.
Athena stared at her brother, who looked about ready to pummel someone. “How late is he?”
“He was supposed to be here ten minutes ago at the latest. Everyone else was.” Charles crossed his arms and glared at her as if Robert’s absence was somehow her fault.
Athena scowled right back. “Something has clearly delayed him. Go back inside, show Mama and Papa to their seats, and tell the vicar to wait.”
“Might I say, you look incredibly lovely,” William told her.
“Yes,” Charles clipped. “A pity Darlington isn’t here to see it.”
“He will be,” Athena informed him.
James cleared his throat. “What if—”
“No.” Athena gave her brothers and her parents a firm look. “We are going to wait. That is all.”
Charles puffed out a breath, then gave a swift nod of agreement. “Very well. But if he’s not here within five minutes, I’ll skewer him myself.”
Turning her back on her irate brother, Athena crossed her arms and faced the door in anticipation of Robert’s arrival. Why wasn’t he here yet? If something had caused a delay, surely he would have sent word. Unease crept under her skin. Something must have happened. He wouldn’t just leave her like this. Would he?
Athena stared out into the wintry street beyond. It would be the perfect retaliation. Closing her eyes, she tried to ignore the whispers coming from within the church. Some were not as discreet as she would have liked. A pang of despair caught her heart. Robert had not deserted her. She refused to believe it. No one could be so convincing in their display of love and affection as he without its being real.
“It’s been five minutes.” Charles’s voice caused her to flinch. “Needless to say, people are starting to wonder about his absence.”
“They believe I’ve been jilted,” Athena said as she turned toward him.
“It would not be an unreasonable assumption to make.”
Athena straightened her spine and clenched her jaw. “Stop it, Charles. Robert is your friend. Have some faith in him.”
“He was my friend, and while I will admit it was I who wronged him, the blow he has dealt this family in return is so low, I shall never forgive him for it. How dare he do this to you? And how could I have allowed myself to believe he wouldn’t?”
Anger flared to life within Athena so swiftly it almost choked her. Balling her hands into fists she glared into her brother’s eyes. “If Robert has indeed plotted revenge in this manner, then it is nothing less than I deserve. But the Robert I know would not be so cruel, and frankly, it astounds me to discover that you imagine he would.”
“Athena, I—”
“No. I refuse to believe him capable of it until I hear him confess it himself. Until then, I must believe something else has kept him away. And right now, I have every intention of finding out what it might be.”
“You’re leaving?” he asked when she started back toward the carriage she’d arrived in.
“I have to find him, Charles.”
“But what about all the guests?”
“They will spread their vicious gossip no matter what we do. I, for one, have no intention of staying here to listen to it.”
“I should accompany you,” he said.
She glanced at him while considering his proposal. “Fine. As long as you swear not to harm him in any way once we find him.”
“Very well. You have my word. Just give me a minute to tell Bethany where I’ve gone.”
Athena continued toward the carriage while he raced back to the church. She’d just climbed in and arranged her skirts when he returned.
“Was Robert’s mother present?” Athena asked once they were headed to Mivart’s.
“She was.”
Athena nodded. “Then all the more reason not to imagine the worst of him. He’d never subject her to scandal.”
“He’s a lucky fellow,” Charles muttered. “I’m not sure many other women would have been equally ready to defend their fiancés in such a situation.”
Athena turned her gaze toward the window. She would find out what had happened before passing judgment, but if she did learn Robert had played her false, she would challenge him to a bloody duel. Not in defense of her own honor, but because her poor parents did not deserve to be put through another disgraceful ordeal.
But when she arrived at the hotel and inquired after him, the clerk at the front desk informed her that he’d not seen Lord Darlington since the previous day. “He had his dinner brought up to his room. Before the maid left, he told her he wanted an early night and asked not to be disturbed.”
“And you have not checked on him since?” Athena asked with growing concern.
“It’s not unusual for our guests to rise later in the day. Many of them are out until the early hours of the morning and—”
“I need a key,” Athena said. “To his suite of rooms.”
The clerk blanched. “I cannot provide you with that.”
“Then prepare to have every door kicked in until we find him,” Charles said.
“My lord.” The clerk’s eyes darted between them both. Realizing they were serious, he quickly collected a key and hastened toward the stairs. “I shall escort you.”
Athena picked up the hem of her gown and hurried after him with Charles immediately on her heels. When they reached the second floor, the clerk turned right and walked briskly toward the door at the end. Athena rather wished he would run.
“Lord Darlington?” the clerk called after giving the door a knock. “Are you there?”
“Does he not have a valet with him?’ Charles asked Athena. “Someone to send word if he was unwell?”
Athena raised her own fist and gave the door three loud raps. “Not everyone can afford such luxury, Charles. Robert has been trying to save the expense of unnecessary staff.”
“I see.”
When no one responded from inside the room, Athena said, “Open the door.”
“But—”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” She snatched the key from the clerk and thrust it into the lock. One second later she crossed the threshold and froze. The room was eerily dark with curtains still drawn. And there was a sound – a raspy sort of breathing coming from within the adjoining bedchamber. Leaping across the floor, Athena dashed to Robert’s side. “Bloody hell and a thousand damnations!”
“Athena, you shouldn’t—”
“Don’t you dare tell me what I should or should not do,” Athena snapped at her brother. Tears stung her eyes as her throat clogged with emotion. “Fetch the damn physician if you want to make yourself useful.”
“I merely wished to say that you probably shouldn’t get too close to him. He’s obviously deathly ill and I’d hate for you to—”
“Just go,” she sobbed as she pressed her palm to Robert’s scorching hot forehead. “Now!”
He was barely out the door before she’d located a handkerchief. After wetting it in the washbasin, she spread it across Robert’s brow. He groaned softly in response, drawing her attention to his chapped lips. Unsure of how to help him drink when he was lying down and barely lucid, she found another handkerchief and, after soaking it, attempted to squeeze the water into his mouth. He groaned again, though she wasn’t sure whether the sound he made was one of gratitude or irritation.
Tucking the covers around him, she made sure he was properly covered by his blanket, then went to open the window. The room was too stuffy. The sickly smell filling it would not improve anyone’s health. Of course, it was freezing outside, so she had to take care that letting a bit of crisp air inside did not make him worse.
Athena glanced at the fire burning in the grate, added a log, and turned to the clerk who still stood near the door. Uncertainty marred his features. “Some tea please, along with some honey and a bowl of hot soup, if you have it.”
“We have one with ox tail and one with chicken,” he said, shifting his feet. “Which would you prefer?”
“Bring up the chicken soup, please. Strained so the meat and vegetables are separate from the liquid.”
“I’ll see to it right away.” The clerk left.
Athena returned to Robert’s bedside, checked the compress and, finding it warm, went to soak it again in cool water before returning it to his forehead.
His eyes blinked in response to her touch. “Drink.”
She poured some water into a glass, did her best to raise him into more of a sitting position, and held the glass to his lips. With trembling hands, he clasped it, and drank. His eyes opened wider, into a squint. “Athena?”
“Yes, my love. I’m here.”
“Should be at church,” he told her hoarsely. “Must get married.”
“Hush now and rest. We’ll get married later.”
A wheezing snore was his only response. He’d already fallen back asleep. Athena lowered his head to the pillow and set the glass aside. Where was the blasted physician? She clamped her jaw tightly and fought the urge to cry, but in spite of her stalwart attempts, tears still rolled down her cheeks. Please, she prayed, don’t leave me now. She lay down next to Robert’s body and held on for all she was worth.
It felt like forever before Charles returned. He brought with him a man who introduced himself as Dr. Donovan. Athena stared at the much-too-young physician a moment before addressing her brother. “Where is Dr. Farendale?”
“Away for the next two weeks, according to his housekeeper.”
Athena’s heart sank. The Townsbridge family physician was a man she trusted implicitly. He’d cared for her every time she’d been sick, and she wanted him to care for Robert too. Despair swept through her. Dr. Donovan didn’t look like he was one day older than she, which to her frame of mind was cause for great alarm.
Additional tears pooled against her lashes. “It is imperative to me that Robert survives.”
“I know that,” Charles told her, his voice conveying a calm she could not comprehend at the moment. He glanced at the only option he’d brought. “Dr. Donovan cared for Lilly and Lucas earlier this year when they came down with a bout of chickenpox. He is a competent man. Please give him a chance.”
“Fine.” Athena looked at the youth who stood wavering near the door. It wasn’t as if she had much choice. “Please examine my fiancé and let me know what I am to do in order to help him recover.”
Dipping his head in acknowledgement, Dr. Donovan moved to the bed and sniffed the air. Athena sank onto a nearby chair with a bleak sigh. She’d have been better off trying to haul Robert to the nearest hospital. She watched with decreasing hope as Dr. Donovan went through the motion of checking Robert’s forehead, feeling his pulse, and listening to his breathing.
When he eventually straightened and took a step back from the bed, his expression was grim. “I believe his lordship has influenza.”
Athena had suspected as much, but having someone verify her opinion caused her insides to wilt in a way she’d never experienced before. The disease was too often deadly.
Still, the physician could be wrong, could he not? Perhaps all this was, was a serious cold. Unwilling to accept his prognosis, Athena asked him directly, “Do you even possess a university education?”
Dr. Donovan gave her a frank stare. “I studied medicine in Edinburgh for five years, during which I apprenticed under Sir Charles Bell.”
“Well then.” Athena gave the young physician a grudging frown. “How would you advise us to proceed?”
“Unfortunately, there is very little we can do besides make him comfortable, ensure he eats, drinks, and receives as much rest as possible. Sleep, sustenance, and keeping his temperature down are the only remedies. The rest will be up to him.”
Jaw tight, Athena clenched her fists and stood. She wanted to throw something at the useless fellow, scream and rail at him until she was hoarse.
“Athena,” Charles warned as if sensing her state of deteriorating calmness, “Dr. Donovan did have to leave a luncheon meeting in order to come here, and having Robert’s condition confirmed is surely of some use.”
She nodded, thanked the physician, and went to help the maid who’d just arrived with a tray filled exactly with what Athena had ordered. Finally, someone who knew how to step in and do what their profession demanded. Athena turned to her brother. “Please let the rest of our family know what is going on. Robert’s mother will need to be informed as well.”
“I’ll return to help as soon as it’s done, so I can be here to offer assistance.”
“No,” Athena told him. “You have children. Exposing you to this illness more than necessary would be reckless. I’ll send word if I need anything.”
“Are you sure?” Charles didn’t look remotely convinced.
“Dr. Donovan,” Athena said. “Would you please inform my brother that there is no reason for two of us to risk our health by remaining here?”
“Indeed, it would be prudent to minimize contact with the patient as much as possible,” he said.
“There you are, Charles. Go home and let me deal with this.”
“You’re sure you can manage?”
“Absolutely.”
With another hesitant glance at Robert’s slumbering form, Charles gave a reluctant nod and departed with the physician. Athena took a fortifying breath and crossed to the table where the maid had left the tray. Picking up the bowl of broth, she returned to the bed, perched herself on the edge of it, and prepared to wake Robert just long enough for him to eat.
With careful movements, she spooned broth into his mouth. He thanked her and begged for cold water to drink, which she gave him.
“Athena, dearest. Is there anything I can do to help?” her mother asked when she came to bring a change of clothes later that evening. She wasn’t alone but had brought Robert’s mother with her. “You look a wreck.”
“I’m fine, Mama,” Athena lied because truthfully, she’d never been more afraid in her life. She gave Lady Darlington a hesitant look. “I’m sorry I didn’t come to inform you of Robert’s illness myself, but I was reluctant to leave his side.”
“You made the right decision,” Lady Darlington assured her.
“We thought we might stay here with you,” Mama said.
Athena shook her head. “Charles already offered to do the same. I sent him away.”
“Well, you’re not getting rid of me,” Mama informed her.
“Nor me,” Lady Darlington added.
“I see no reason for either of you to risk your health,” Athena countered. “I do not want you getting sick too. You ought to go home.”
Her mother crossed her arms and held her position. “It isn’t proper for you to be here by yourself with an unmarried man.”
“As far as I am concerned,” Athena exploded, her fear causing her to abandon all reason, “we are husband and wife. I’ll not let a vicar or a signature stand in the way of my caring for him. I’ll not leave his side.”
A sob wracked her body and she helplessly buried her face in her hands, ashamed of the weakened state she’d been reduced to. This wasn’t her. She was the strong one, the one who barged through life with the constant conviction that things would turn out as they should. Except right now, she wasn’t sure of anything anymore, and she very much feared Robert wouldn’t survive this. He was a strong man, and yet he was so incredibly weak at the moment – could barely speak, never mind eat or drink.
Her mother’s arms came around her and for the first time in years, she allowed herself to accept the support being offered. “I understand, Athena. Lord help me, I understand you better than you can imagine.”
“I know, Mama.” Her mother had lost a child once to smallpox. Claire had been Sarah’s twin.
“You are doing what you can,” Lady Darlington added.
“I want to do more.”
“Right now,” Mama said, “he needs rest, something to eat and drink when he’s able, and for you to keep his temperature down. There’s nothing more to be done besides waiting to see how he fares.”
Athena gulped a breath and nodded. It was what Dr. Donovan had told her, but somehow her mother’s soothing voice made it sound much more reasonable. “All right.”
“We’ll take shifts.” Lady Darlington’s voice brooked no argument, and as Athena reminded herself, she had every right to stay and help look after her son. “This could last a week so you will need rest as well.”
“We promise to wake you if he asks for you or if his condition changes,” Mama said. “Agreed?”
“Yes.” Athena stepped back and reached for her mother’s hand. She held on tight. “Thank you. Both of you”
In spite of the two women’s subsequent protest, Athena watched Robert that night while her mother and Lady Darlington slept on the sofas in the next room. When she checked Robert’s compress later, it was warm.
“This is what Hell must feel like,” he groaned during one of his more wakeful moments that night. “My eyes are on fire.”
Locating additional handkerchiefs, Athena wet them all and hung them by the partially open window in the hope that the added winter air would make them cooler. It seemed to work, but when Robert’s fever continued to rise the following evening, even they heated up mere seconds after being placed on his skin.
Unsure what else to do, Athena sat and held his hand while he tossed and turned. She wiped his brow, changed the compresses, and made sure he drank plenty of water.
“It’s time for you to sleep,” Lady Darlington informed her when dawn brought a dim light into the room. “Your mother and I will watch over him until you wake.”
“I really don’t want to leave him.”
“I know, but you’ll be of more use to him if you’re well-rested instead of bleary-eyed and exhausted. Trust me, Athena, I know what I’m doing.”
Accepting her Lady Darlington’s advice, Athena bent to press a soft kiss against Robert’s brow before going to find the vacant sofa. She collapsed with a sigh and slept one second later. It was a process that continued until she lost track of the days. Everything had become one big blur of endless time, stretching in both directions. With the help of some maids, Athena and the two other ladies managed to change Robert’s bed sheets a couple of times after they were soaked through with sweat.
Athena’s heart ached as she sat in the chair next to his bed, ready to keep vigil again. Another fresh bowl of broth had been delivered along with some tea and honey. Deciding to change his compress before attempting to feed him again, she collected the handkerchief pressed to his brow and brushed her fingertips gently across his skin.
A bright spark of hope darted through her. She sucked in a breath and placed her palm over his forehead. The heat she’d felt there before had retreated, thank God.
Allowing a smile for the first time in days, she forced back the tears of joy creeping into her eyes and returned to her seat. Best let him sleep. With the fever gone, she was certain he’d wake on his own when he was ready to eat.
“Athena?”
The low, rough sound of her name and a gentle pull on her hand roused her from her slumber. She started and scrambled upright in her chair with a gasp. Her gaze darted about the room until she realized it was Robert who’d spoken. He was watching her with a steady gaze that sent instant relief crashing through her.
“You’re awake,” she whispered and checked his forehead again to be sure the fever was indeed gone.
“I’m sorry to disturb you,” he said, “but I’m so incredibly thirsty. And hungry.”
A grin caught her lips as she leapt from her chair. “Yes. Of course. You’ve barely had anything to eat or drink in days.”
She filled a glass with water and helped Robert into a sitting position, this time with greater ease than before now that he was able to help get himself upright. He took the glass from her and downed the liquid while she called for a maid to bring up a proper bowl of soup and some bread. As soon as the meal arrived, he ate with gusto until no drop remained.
A yawn followed. “I think I’ll sleep a bit more now if that’s all right.”
“Of course,” Athena assured him. She tucked the blankets around his shoulders and kissed the top of his head. “I’m so incredibly glad to see you looking better.”
“I love you,” he murmured.
“I love you too.”