by Leah Conolly
“I am looking forward to knowing her better. I only wanted to say that if you would like to speak to her privately at any time tonight, just say the word. I will not be offended. I know she is a dear friend to you.”
Elizabeth nodded, but seemed as though she didn’t want to continue the conversation. James frowned at her. She really was not acting herself tonight.
Wringing her hands together, Elizabeth suddenly spoke. “I am starting to feel rather unwell.”
James rested his hand on her shoulder. “Is it the carriage? Should we stop?”
Elizabeth hugged her arms around herself. “I was feeling ill before you arrived, but it has only grown worse.”
“You cannot go to the ball in this state. We will turn around.” He instructed the driver, and the carriage turned around back towards Isabelle’s house.
James pressed her hand. “Will you be all right until we reach Isabelle’s house?”
She edged a little closer to him. “Yes, I think I will be.” She squeezed his hand in return. “Thank you.”
The ride back was silent. James could tell that Elizabeth was in agony, so he did not think it improper to hold her hand on the way back. Elizabeth periodically squeezed his hand gratefully, and while James enjoyed the familiar contact, he wished it were under better circumstances.
When they reentered Isabelle’s house, both Isabelle and the countess were in shock at Elizabeth’s state. They instantly escorted her upstairs to her bedroom, where Isabelle ensured James that they were seeing to her every comfort.
James waited downstairs, unable to sit or find any occupation. Elizabeth had looked very ill.
“Such a pity that you could not attend the ball, James. Elizabeth’s sickness was timed very unfortunately,” the countess remarked.
“I don’t believe she had a choice in the matter,” James responded, without even looking in her direction.
“Elizabeth is asleep now,” Isabelle announced, as she came down the stairs. Her forehead was wrinkled with worry. “She has a fever, I think. I will call for the doctor in the morning.” She sighed. “Such an unhappy circumstance. I think that I will also retire soon.”
“I will call tomorrow to see how Elizabeth is faring,” the countess declared.
“I will be here tomorrow as well. Tell Elizabeth that my prayers and good wishes are with her.” He looked up the staircase, wishing that he could see her again and wish her well. However, it was not to be. James stepped out into the cool night and left, unable to keep himself from worrying.
Chapter 13
For the third day in a row, Elizabeth awoke feeling groggy and unable to get out of bed. All sorts of visitors had come to see her—Felicia, James, the countess—and they seemed to be worried about how suddenly her sickness had come on. The doctor had stated she had an ague, but it was the kind of diagnosis that did not seem certain.
Elizabeth certainly wasn’t satisfied with it. A theory had been forming in her mind that seemed a little outrageous, but she continued to consider it, nonetheless. The countess had tried to get very close to her recently. She remembered that flask that the woman had pulled out of her skirt once James had announced their engagement. Could the countess have put something in her drink? Could that be what was causing this illness?
She knew that the countess admired James and wanted him for herself, but would she go to such lengths? She claimed to be Isabelle’s friend. Was she capable of injuring her closest friend’s goddaughter in that way?
Elizabeth shook her head. She was being fanciful. Perhaps the doctor was right, and it was just a simple grippe. She dismissed her suspicion, but it remained in the back of her mind.
The door opened, and Marie informed Elizabeth that the Duke of Darrington was asking to see her. Elizabeth had to smile. James had called on her every day since her illness had started, bringing her comforting words and small gifts.
“You may allow him in,” Elizabeth said.
James strode in, holding a bouquet of yellow wildflowers. Elizabeth smiled at him, beaming when she spotted the flowers that seemed to brighten up the room. Marie said she would find a vase for the flowers and left, leaving the door open.
“How are you feeling, Elizabeth?” James asked, setting down the flowers by her bedside.
“A little better, I suppose.”
“I am glad to hear it.” He stood rigid with his hands behind his back. “I was thinking that once you are recovered, we can take my carriage to Deuney Keep and speak to your father about our engagement.”
“Yes, that is an excellent idea.” Elizabeth was too exhausted to explain that she needed a break from London and especially from the countess.
James smiled. “Good.” He cleared his throat and looked around the room. He spotted a book by Elizabeth’s bed and leafed through it. “Ah,” he murmured, “I have heard about this Jane Austen from my mother.”
“I did not find her first book very remarkable, but this one does make me laugh.” She sighed. “My father has tried to discourage me from reading novels, but I’m afraid I cannot stop.”
“There is nothing wrong with novels. I read them from time to time myself, although I have not made much time for reading as of late.” He scrutinized the book some more. “Emma,” he murmured. He met Elizabeth’s eyes. “Laughter is good for your health, is it not? Shall I read to you, Elizabeth?”
“Only if you will not criticize my taste in books.”
“Oh no,” said James, as he sat on a chair, book in hand. “I would never dream of it.”
* * *
Elizabeth felt a thrill of excitement run through her as the carriage began its long journey to Deuney Keep. It seemed like only yesterday that Elizabeth had come to London, but at the same time, it felt like it had been years. She considered how much had changed since then, how much she had changed.
“What are you thinking of?” James asked, seated beside her.
She turned to face him. “I am thinking how much has changed since I came to London.”
James nodded thoughtfully. “It has been many weeks. How do you look back on your time in London so far?”
“I’m not sure.” Elizabeth turned and looked out of the window again to hide the blush that was threatening to creep up to her cheeks. When she thought back on it, it had been miserable up until the first ball when James had come to her rescue. Since then, it had been rather happy, apart from being ill, of course. “There have been some difficult times, but many happy days, too.” She wondered how James would react to that statement, but she didn’t dare glance at him.
“Are you happy to be going home?”
“It will be good to see my father again, and my home.” She smiled, thinking it safe to meet his gaze now that the topic had moved on. “I lived there all my life before I came to London.”
James nodded. “That explains why it means so much to you.”
Elizabeth found herself stunned at the understanding in his eyes. She had never told him plainly that her home meant the world to her. Clearly, he had been paying attention. “Yes. I couldn’t bear to see it gone to ruin or lived in by somebody else. And it would hurt my father so much.”
“Explain your relationship with your father. You have told me about your mother, but I know very little about him.”
Elizabeth tapped her fingers on her leg, as she thought about her answer. “I love my father. I think he tries to do what is best for me, but since my mother died, I do not think he knows what that is. He has always seemed more afraid of me and what I would do instead of being affectionate towards me. That only made me more eager to misbehave. Many times, he would give me what I wanted because he was afraid of what I would do as the alternative.”
“And that is why he gave you the ultimatum to marry Lord Huxley.”
“Yes,” she sighed. “He knew that was the only way to stop me. He did similar things in the past, but not often.”
James frowned, his eyebrows knitting together. “Do you think he will approve of o
ur marriage?”
Elizabeth laughed a little at James’ uneasiness. “I do not think he actually wanted me to marry Huxley. He would much rather have you as part of the family, I think. Once we tell him what has happened and explain everything, I think he will agree.”
His lips twitched into something akin to a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Elizabeth realized that he was nervous about asking her father’s permission and wondered at the cause of it. She would never dare ask him, however. Instead, she turned to a different question.
“What was your father like when you were a child?”
James' expression brightened, and he grew more animated as he spoke. “He was kind but strict. He held me to high standards and never let me fall from them.” A fond smile lit up his face. “He is the one who taught me to play chess. It was his favorite game, and, as my mother does not care for it, he was waiting for someone to play with. He started teaching me the game when I was only four-years-old.”
“That explains why you are such an expert player.” Elizabeth laughed. He had beaten her thoroughly every time they had played, though she was learning. “He must have been a very good teacher.”
“I still don’t think I am as good as he was.” His eyes looked wistfully past her. “He was a good husband, too. I do not remember him ever saying a sharp word to my mother.” A moment of silence passed before he continued. “He would take me out riding. We would be gone for hours, and I would hardly notice. I felt so free.” He frowned. “There are not many good places to ride in London.”
“My father taught me to ride, too. It was one of my favorite things to do at home. On a longer ride, I would go to the seashore and ride along the waves.”
“I would like to go there with you. It sounds like a wonderful place.”
“I cannot wait for you to see it.”
After bouts of conversation interspersed with lapses of contented silence, Elizabeth was overjoyed to see familiar countryside. “Look, there,” she said, pointing out the window. “That is where I would ride out to the sea. You can almost see the waves.”
James leaned over her to get a better view. “Indeed, it is beautiful.” His expression grew slack with awe. “I have been in London so long I have forgotten what the country is like.”
“You will see plenty of it while we are here. I can show you some of my favorite spots today if you wish.”
“I would enjoy that immensely!”
Not long afterward, Deuney Keep came into view. It wasn’t until that moment that Elizabeth realized just how much she had missed it. At the sight of her home, her eyes filled with tears.
Elizabeth’s father waited for them outside the house, his wide smile making Elizabeth’s tears spill over. She quickly dried them before getting out of the carriage and running into her father’s arms.
“My dear,” he said quietly, as he held her in an embrace, “it is so good to see you.”
Despite all she had done to go against him, his words were full of warmth and sincerity.
“It is good to see you too, Father.” Composing herself, Elizabeth pulled away. “May I introduce James Graham, the Duke of Darrington.”
James stepped forward with a charming smile and shook hands with Edward. “It is wonderful to meet you at last, sir. Your daughter has told me so much about you.”
“I am honored, Darrington,” said Edward. “My daughter spoke very highly of you in her letter.”
Elizabeth caught a glance from James as he cast a brief look at her. “I am flattered.”
Edward gestured inside the house. “Shall we go in?”
Once they had settled in the parlor, and tea was brought in, James immediately got down to business. “Lord Waymouth, I have no doubt you have had your suspicions since Elizabeth wrote to you. The truth is that I wish to marry her.”
Though Elizabeth was sure her father must have suspected what the visit was about, he still looked startled.
“Elizabeth’s companionship has been invaluable to me these past few weeks. She has also told me of your situation with your estate,” he said delicately. “I would like to help if I can. Deuney Keep means a lot to Elizabeth, and I know it does to you as well.”
Edward’s expression went slack with relief. He was silent for a moment, and from knowing him so well, Elizabeth knew he was holding back tears. “I confess, Your Grace, I hardly know what to say. Your offer is too generous.”
“Not at all.” James remained perfectly at ease. “If I receive your blessing to marry Elizabeth, I will become your son, and a son does whatever he can to help his father. I am more than happy to be of assistance.”
“Of course, I will give you my blessing, both of you.” He smiled. “I am so glad you have found someone so kind and generous, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth noted James’ shoulders relaxing with a silent sigh of relief. “Very well, then. Will three weeks before the wedding suit you? It should give us enough time to prepare.”
Elizabeth’s stomach flipped. She would be married in three weeks.
“That is an excellent notion,” Edward said.
James grinned. “Thank you, my lord. I promise I will take care of your daughter.” He smiled over at Elizabeth and pressed her hand.
Edward smiled at them. “I do not doubt it,” he said softly. Elizabeth looked into his eyes and knew he was truly happy for her. “I do not doubt it at all.”
Chapter 14
“This tree,” Elizabeth said, running a hand over the smooth bark, “is the one my friend Tom and I would always play in when we were children.”
James detected the longing and nostalgia in her voice. “Was Lady Darwin there too?”
“Oh, yes. The three of us would spend hours getting our clothes dirty and torn and then run home to be reproved by our parents.” She chuckled, then stood back and looked up into the branches. Suddenly, she jumped up and grabbed onto a nearby branch.
James laughed at her actions. “Do you require any assistance?”
Elizabeth hauled herself up into a crook of the tree and sat, brushing leaves from her dress. “No,” she said breathlessly. “It has been many years since I have climbed this tree, but it seems I still remember how it’s done.”
“What will your father say about your appearance?” James asked, noting how her hair was becoming frizzy and unkempt in the muggy air.
She beamed. “Nothing now that he knows we are betrothed.” She quirked her eyebrow. “Unless you will reprove me?”
James took a moment to admire her. He was far from wanting to reprove her for her appearance. Though she looked a far cry from a London society lady, she looked exactly like the Elizabeth he was coming to know so well. Her hair blown freely by the breeze and her eyes bright in the sunlight seemed to be a perfect fit for her personality.
“If I would reprove you, it would only be for putting yourself in danger by climbing to such a height.”
Elizabeth laughed. The sound made James smile. She was so free here, untethered by any restrictions. Here, he thought, was where she truly belonged.
Shaking her head, Elizabeth said, “I am in more danger of being run over by a carriage in London than I am of falling from this tree.”
James huffed, wondering how she could speak of such things.
“If you think I am in such danger, it is a wonder you do not come up here to ensure I do not fall.”
James knew she was asking him to join her, and he eyed the branches of the tree with suspicion. He had never climbed a tree in his life. “I think I will stay down here to catch you if you fall.”
Elizabeth giggled, no doubt discerning the true reason for his decision to keep his feet on the ground. “Very well, then.” She raised herself onto her feet and reached for a higher branch.
James’ heart leaped into his throat. “Elizabeth, wait.” He found the branch she had used to begin her climb, and, though he was considerably taller than her, he still had to stretch to his limit to grab it. He grunted as he pulled himself
up. Pain shot through his arms, as muscles that hadn’t been used in years were strained.
“Do you require any assistance?” Though James couldn’t see Elizabeth’s face, as he lifted his legs onto the branch, he could hear the smile in her voice as she repeated his earlier words. He carefully maneuvered himself into the crook Elizabeth had occupied earlier and took deep, labored breaths. Elizabeth grinned at him, standing on a nearby branch.
James ran a hand through his hair, feeling sweat beading on his forehead. “How on earth did you make that look so simple?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “As I told you, I have been climbing this tree my whole life.”
