Desperate Bride

by A. S. Fenichel

  It was no surprise Daniel had ordered her to take care of herself. He wouldn’t have wanted a repeat of what Sophia had done while her father was ill. No need to worry about that. Dory’s affection for him could not compare to the love between father and daughter.

  Her skin was like silk under his fingertips, leaving him wanting more of the feel when she leaned back. “I am sorry to have given you so much trouble. You said I have been unconscious for five days. Was that last night we spoke?”

  She beamed. “It was early this morning before dawn. At first you had a lot of blood loss, and then you had a terrible fever. The fever broke yesterday, so it is very reassuring that you have woken.”

  “Were you worried I would not wake? If I had died you would be a wealthy woman.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at his forehead, never meeting his gaze. “So I am told. Please do not do anything so stupid again, Tom. And leaving everything to me was ridiculous. You left nothing to your mother.” Her scolding tone was nothing short of adorable.

  “My mother has other means of living and I knew you would take care of her. I never doubted the extent of your kindness.” He pushed up with both hands. Cringing from the pain, he dropped back to the soft mattress.

  “Wait!” She shot from the chair. “Nurse Eve.”

  The woman was awake and across the room in an instant. “Do not tear those stitches.”

  “I want to sit up.” The plea came across as petulant.

  Nurse Eve smiled with her eyes if not her mouth. “I will help you if you will do as I say.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He hoped his smile was more teasing than baring teeth. The shock of pain made it difficult to know.

  She nodded. “I am going to put my arms around you and when I say so, roll toward me, Mr. Wheel.”

  It was the strangest thing to have a woman not his mother or his lover wrap her arms around him, but she did it with no fanfare.

  “Now, roll toward me.”

  Pain pulsed at his side, but much less than when he tried on his own. Once on his side she eased him to a sitting position.

  Dory piled pillows behind his back and he leaned back against them.

  His head spun.

  Nurse Eve held his shoulders. “Look at me, Mr. Wheel.”

  He did. She had the most intense brown eyes and she narrowed them at him. He focused on Nurse Eve until the swirling of the room stopped. “Thank you. That is much better.”

  Showing her crooked teeth, she nodded and felt his forehead. Her hands were soft and warm. “It’s good for you to sit up, and perhaps later today we will try a few steps. We can have Crowly help, if that’s all right with you.”

  “If it will get me out of this bed, I will let the king himself assist.”

  “I am glad you are not going to be a difficult patient.”

  “That is yet to be determined.” He winked.

  Shaking her head, she took the basin of water and rag from the side table. “I will see if there is soup for you to try. I am sure you must be starving. We poured some down your throat, but it was not easy to get you to swallow.”

  Dory said, “Thank you.”

  As soon as the door closed, leaving them alone, he grasped her hand. “Are you sure you are all right?”

  She settled on the edge of the bed and held his hand. “I am fine. Better now that you are awake. I will send for Doctor Revel to have a look at you. He’s been here several times. Daniel has called every day and Michael arrived from the country yesterday and stopped in to check on you. I am sure they will both be back today.”

  It was gratifying his friends had called, but not unexpected. They had always been there for each other. “You said something this morning about your father not bothering us again. What did you mean?”

  “I have sent him away. He and my mother called yesterday.”

  Fury rose from his gut but he was too weak to do anything about it. He gripped the blanket and fought for control. “He came to see if I was dead so he could take you away.”

  She nodded and patted his hand. “Do not upset yourself. I explained that I shall always be independent of him and would no longer have any dealings with him. My mother knew nothing of what he had done beyond that ridiculous duel. She did not know you had paid his debts. It was clear she underestimated the depth of his flawed character and suspects Hartly’s influence. She has gone to spend time with Markus and the baby.”

  It had only been he and his mother for most of Tom’s life and all his adult life. He longed for a large family and hated that the incident had created a rift that might not be mended. “You did not have to disown your father on my account.”

  She cocked her head and several strands of golden hair fell across her cheek. “I did not do it for you. Everything he has done was selfish and harmful. He thinks of no one but himself. He is ruining his title and lands and will leave poor Markus nothing if he continues. I hope that Markus will snap out of his bereavement and do something about it soon. If he wants to preserve his birthright, he must.”

  “I agree that Markus should act, but if you did not disavow your father for me, then why?”

  She stood and crossed to the window and drew back the curtains. Her pale blue dress was wrinkled, her hair pulled free from its chignon, her cheeks were pale and those dark rings still marked under her eyes. No one had ever been more beautiful. The sun rose above the roof line as midday approached. “For myself and maybe in part for my mother. I did it because you gave me the courage to do what had to be done.”

  “I was unconscious. How did I give you courage?” If he could have gotten up he would have held her in his arms and never let her go.

  She watched him from across the room. “You stood in front of a loaded pistol to save me from losing my father. He was not worth your injuries, but you did that for me. It was the most noble thing I have ever known. Scolding Father for his behavior pales in comparison. It is not as if he has ever been a kind and caring father. At best, he is occasionally amusing.”

  His gut was in knots and not just because of hunger. “And what of your mother?”

  “Mother stayed for tea after Father left. It was the most pleasant time we have ever spent together. She even came up here to see you.”

  He could not have been more stunned. “She did?”

  Dory nodded. “She is glad I married you and not Hartly.”

  “I don’t understand. She supported the match with the earl.” His side ached and he tried to adjust his position.

  Shrugging, she stood and took his arm in her hand. With more strength than he would have guessed, she assisted him in finding a more comfortable pose. “My mother is practical. She wanted me to have a title and money. It seems she was hoping Hartly would not live long enough to be too much of a bother.”

  Laughing shot pain through his wound. “She must have been disappointed to learn I was on the mend and would continue to vex you.”

  She stared at him, those green eyes alight with passion. “No. I do not believe so. No one wishes you harm. I would not have allowed her to stay in the house if she had.”

  He couldn’t drag his gaze away from hers. Only the return of Nurse Eve broke the spell.

  Dory smiled and took the bowl from the nurse. She held the spoon up to his mouth.

  “I think I can feed myself, ladies.”

  Looking to Nurse Eve for assent and getting a nod, she handed the bowl and spoon to him.

  The clear broth was unsatisfying but it eased the tension in his gut. By the time he’d taken half a dozen spoonsful, he was ready to sleep again. “Nurse, would you take this? I think I have had enough for now.”

  She focused on the bowl and shrugged. “Not bad for your first meal. Rest now. You can have more when you wake up. Several small meals for a few days will be best. You must give yourself time to adjust to eatin
g again. When you wake, we will also try a short walk around the room.”

  With Eve’s help, he eased back onto the mattress and closed his eyes. Skirts rustling made him force them open again.

  Dory stood near the door.

  “Are you leaving?”

  Turning back, she smiled. “I will be here when you wake up, and if I am not Nurse Eve or Crowly will fetch me. I am just going to rest for a little while.”

  “Yes. You need rest. I apologize.” He was a selfish cad. It was obvious she’d had little sleep, and here he was, worried he would miss her.

  “None necessary. I will be back soon.”

  He hadn’t heard her return to the bed. Perhaps he’d dozed.

  She pressed her lips to his cheek. Soft and cool, like the break of day, her kiss eased his tension. “I am delighted you are healing.”

  * * * *

  Five days immobile, losing all that blood, having two holes in his side, plus the infection had left its mark. Every step was a force of will. Walking brought on more pain but it also eased as his muscles stretched out and the pain in his side lessened with every try. He made it all the way down the hall without Crowly’s assistance, though the butler followed close behind. The hall was perfect because the dark wood walls were always close by should he need to steady himself. There was no rug to trip over, and he had a cane just in case every other precaution failed. Crowly would never let him fall, and there was comfort in knowing that. It made him braver with his stepping, and the healing process moved faster every day.

  Turning around and making it back to his bedroom filled Tom with elation. It was a small feat, but Tom was proud of it.

  “Should you be up?” Michael stood at the top of the steps leaning on the railing.

  Tom gripped the wall. It took all his concentration to stand and walk. Any distraction might fell him. “I am under the strictest orders to get some exercise every few hours.”

  “You look about to drop.” Michael stepped forward and offered his shoulder to lean on.

  It was no time to be too proud. He gripped Michael’s shoulder and they stepped into his room.

  Nurse Eve was tucking the blanket back in place. She bundled up the old sheets in her arms and bustled out the door.

  Crowly waited in the threshold a hulking presence. It was amazing the loyalty he enjoyed from his staff and friends. He too often took it for granted. Never again.

  “You can go, Crowly. Thank you for your help. His grace will assist me to the chair. I am not ready to get back in bed just yet. I will ring if I need anything.”

  Crowly bowed out of sight.

  With Michael by his side, Tom made it to the chair, now returned to its space near the hearth.

  “It’s good to see you in trousers, Tom.” Michael sat across from him.

  Tom tugged the material away from his wound and leaned back against the cushion. The top of his trousers scratched against his tender, healing flesh. “I insisted on clothes if they were going to parade me up and down the hall. It was quite a conflict with Nurse Eve, but as you see, I was victorious.”

  Michael slapped the arm of the chair laughing. “I suppose it is the small things.”

  “Nurse Eve is formidable. I felt like I had defeated Napoleon single-handedly.” He joined the jest.

  “How are you really? You gave us quite a scare.” Michael leaned his elbows on his knees. “I have corresponded with Markus. His response was difficult to decipher. He’s been drinking and his mother has arrived at Rosefield. Fearing she will corrupt the child, he cannot bring himself to leave, even though he hates the place since Emma’s death.”

  “You can tell him I am better every day and I will see him when he is free. He has enough on his plate without worrying about me.”

  “I shall write him this afternoon. Perhaps you might send a short note too, if you’re up to it.”

  “It may have to wait until morning, but I will write him. I am too tired now to craft a letter.” Like a child avoiding his bedtime, Tom defied his body’s desire to climb back in the bed.

  “He will appreciate it. You look like you might tumble to the carpet at any moment.” Michael stared, the way he did when trying to read a person who was hiding something. As a spy for the crown, he’d cultivated the skill.

  It was good to have friends who cared. “I believe I will live. Doctor Revel has been here a few times since I regained my wits. He said I will be myself again in a few weeks. The wound is healing.”

  “I am glad to hear it.”

  “You know, you did not need come all the way from Scotland to see me. A letter would have sufficed.”

  “No, it would not have.” Michael leaned back. His gaze bore into Tom’s. “How are things with your wife? Has the tension eased since your duel?”

  Tom’s heart broke at the mention of his wife. “It is hard to say. She is here and she certainly has cared for me more than most women of her station would have. Sometimes I feel very close to her, and then other times she seems so distant I cannot reach her.”

  “I wish it were a better marriage for you, Tom. I know it started as a marriage of convenience, but I hoped the two of you would learn to love each other.”

  Staring at the rug, he traced the green pattern with his gaze. “I had hoped so too.”

  “Is there nothing that can fix things between you?”

  “I have not given up. We still have the music and my feelings for her are unchanged. Maybe she needs more time.” Thomas wished he could make the rest of the world disappear and just have Dory and a room filled with music for the rest of his life. It was not reality, but it was a pretty picture.

  Chapter 17

  Dory brought a bowl of soup from the kitchens. This one had meat and vegetables in it and she was thrilled at presenting something other than clear broth to Thomas.

  Kerburghe stepped from the room into the hall as she exited her rooms. He bowed. “How are you, Dorothea?”

  “Fine, Michael. How is Elinor?”

  A maid hummed as she walked down the hall.

  “Gertie, can you bring this tray in to Mr. Wheel for me?

  Gertie’s chestnut curls bounced as she curtsied. “Yes, madam.”

  Dory handed the tray over. Michael waited until Gertie was inside the bedroom and the door closed. He grinned. “I had a letter from her today. She is well and the children are driving her mad.”

  No one would ever smile at just the mention of her name. She squashed the surge of jealousy. “Will she come to London anytime soon?”

  He shook his head. “I do not expect so. I intend to return to Scotland as soon as Tom is well. We much prefer the quiet of the lowlands to the hustle of London and wagging tongues of the ton.”

  “Indeed.” There was little doubt the gossips were getting their fill from her life now. “Michael, may I asked you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “Has marrying me damaged Tom’s prospects?”

  Michael lowered his gaze to the floor. “To be honest, it has not helped, Dorothea.”

  Even though she’d knew it was true, hearing it from one of Tom’s friends hurt. “I see. Will he recover?”

  “Maybe. It will depend on how he goes forward and if his larger business associates stay with him. Many of his plans may have to be put on hold.”

  “And if I were out of the mix?” It took all her will to keep her tears at bay.

  Michael put his hand on her shoulder. “Leaving Tom would hurt him far more than his business failing. He needs you.”

  “Can you answer my question, please?” She had to hear the truth.

  Shuffling his feet was the only sign that Michael was uncomfortable. He met her gaze. “It stands to reason that his life returning to before your marriage would help him in business circles. However, I must restate that Tom needs you, Dorothea.”
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  He did need her while he was ill, but after that, he would do better without her. “Thank you for your honesty, Michael.”

  “I have an appointment with my solicitor this afternoon, so I must say good day. If you would like to discuss this further, I am at your service.” He bowed again.

  She curtsied. “Thank you, but I think I understand. Good day to you.”

  Once he had bounded down the steps and she heard the front door close, she entered Tom’s room.

  “There you are. When you did not bring my lunch, I worried.” He put his soup on the table.

  “Did you enjoy it?” She stayed near the door, looking for a way to escape.

  “Real meat! I am overjoyed, and bread, glorious bread.”

  She hated that he could make her smile even when she wanted to be cross. “I thought that would please you.”

  “Why are you holding up the door? Come and sit with me. I wonder if tomorrow you might take your meals in here, or maybe we can talk Nurse into letting me down in the dining room for my supper.” He bit of a piece of bread and closed his eyes while chewing.

  Never had anyone gotten so much pleasure from a slice of crusty bread as Thomas Wheel. Even if he no longer loved her, he still wanted her near. There was hope in that. She shook it away. He was only being polite. It was his way and had nothing to do with love or any other such nonsense. Stepping close, she sat across from him. “I shall see about you coming down for a meal or two, though I don’t know how you will manage the stairs.”

  “I will hold the rail and Crowly will make sure I do not injure myself.”

  If he fell, it could be disastrous. “I will discuss it with Nurse Eve.”

  Nodding, he sat forward. A pained grimace twisted his face. “I wonder if I might ask a favor from you?”

  “What is it?”

  “Would you play for me? Just the harp would be sufficient. I feel as if music has left my world and the void is gaping more painfully than my wounds.”

  Not being able to imagine her life for weeks without hearing a single note, she could not refuse him. “Yes. I will get it now.”