“I won’t marry him.” She said weakly before descending into a fit of coughing. Judith hurried to her side and drew her daughter into her arms while glaring at her brother.
“You can’t force her.” She growled.
“I can and I will.” Michael didn’t seem to react to his niece’s coughing. “And I can force you as well, Judith, so don’t tempt me.”
Maryam felt her mother tense. She knew her mother would never marry again so to hear her uncle threaten her felt so cold. She straightened up, her lungs burning from the coughing.
“I’ll kill myself.” She declared. “I’d rather be dead than marry that man.”
Her uncle sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Don’t be so melodramatic, Maryam. Hysterics will not help you here.”
Judith snorted in disgust. Maryam shuddered, never seeing her mother act this way.
“Your niece adores you, Michael.” She hissed. “And you throw that adoration back in her face?”
Michael said nothing. His jaw tightened and the expression in his eyes went cold. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and walked out. It was then that Maryam burst into tears. It hurt to cry, and it was making it harder to breathe but Maryam couldn’t stop herself, even as she wheezed and coughed. Judith gathered her into her arms and rocked her.
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”
It was then Maryam realized her mother was also crying.
***
Coven could hardly contain himself after what he heard. He and Elizabeth expected an announcement now that dinner was finished. Lord Warwick had sat during dinner looking like the cat who got the cream and Lord Lindsey hadn’t been perturbed at all. He didn’t even notice that his daughter was glaring at him and refusing to converse with Warwick when he attempted to make conversation.
Dinner was awkward. Neither he nor Elizabeth were comfortable in the same room as the marquess or the elderly earl. The older men talked between them about anything and everything but Coven couldn’t bring himself to enter the conversation. He was struggling to even eat his dinner, never mind join them in polite banter.
His thoughts were with Maryam and her reaction to the news.
Elizabeth had had to hold him back when Lord Lindsey went upstairs to talk to his sister and niece.
Suddenly, wailing could be heard from the two women, followed by lots of coughing. Coven clenched his teeth and was struggling to breathe. Warwick didn’t seem to be affected by the noises, smirking when the marquess came back downstairs. Lord Lindsey’s demeanour showed he wasn’t happy with the crying but he wasn’t going back upstairs to comfort them.
Coven could see his true character and had total disrespect for him.
He had to stay until everyone else had gone to bed, pacing around the library on his own. Elizabeth had tried to get him to go to his room and stay there but Coven refused; he wanted to talk to Maryam and was waiting until everyone was asleep.
It was the wrong and both of them could suffer damaged reputations. Coven didn’t have a valid reason to go into a young woman’s bedroom. Coven silently made his way up the stairs and down the hall to Maryam’s room at the far end. Her mother’s room was next to it and Coven heard gentle sobbing come from behind the closed door. His gut clenched. He hated hearing a woman cry, especially when there was nothing he could do about it.
He stood outside Maryam’s room, glancing over his shoulder. The marquess and his uncle would be furious if he was caught. But Maryam was Coven’s priority, even if he had to break several rules to see her.
His father would turn over in his grave if he knew his son was creeping about flaunting society’s rules without a care.
With barely a tap to the door, Coven entered. The fire was still burning and there was a candle alight on the bedside table. Maryam was curled up on the couch in front of the fire, a blanket over her as she sobbed. The sobbing was almost silent but Coven could hear the sniffling and see the jerk of her shoulders. It was a sight he had hoped never to witness.
He coughed to announce his presence. At once the sobbing stopped and Maryam tensed.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s the Earl of Coventry.” Coven whispered as he padded forward into her line of sight. He gave her a gentle smile. “Coven, remember?”
“Lord Coventry?” Maryam’s face grimaced with confusion. She sat up gingerly and looked around. “Is Liz with you?”
“No. I’m here alone.”
Maryam gasped. Her eyes widened.
“You’re not supposed to be here!” She hissed. “I could get shunned for letting you enter at all.”
“Is this any worse than what your uncle is doing to you?”
Maryam’s mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. Then she bit her lip and shook her head, her eyes shimmering.
“I guess not.” She slumped on the couch. “I can’t believe he would do this. I loved him. And he would do this.”
Then she cried again, her sobs becoming almost like wails. Coven hurried to her and sat on the couch. He gathered her into his arms and gently rocking her. He didn’t care if someone burst in and saw them; his focus was on Maryam, who was clutching on to him for dear life.
“Don’t cry anymore.” Coven stroked Maryam’s hair. “Don’t cry.”
Chapter 5
Comfort in the Most
Surprising Places
I t was a while before Maryam calmed down and she was shaking silently in his arms. Coven kept rocking her, allowing her to cry it out.
Maryam sniffed and sat back, putting distance between them. In the dim light she looked embarrassed, looking anywhere but at him.
“We’ll be in serious trouble if you stay here.” She whispered. “You need to leave.”
“It might be enough for Lord Lindsey to force us to marry instead.”
That had come out wrong but then Coven realized he didn’t care. It wasn’t the way he wanted to say it to Maryam, especially when she didn’t know him, but Coven would have happily taken that.
Maryam stared at him curiously. She shook her head.
“I can’t let you do that to yourself. That’s just not right.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Coven reached out and brushed a stray curl away from her face. “It’s you I’m concerned with.”
Maryam jerked her head away.
“You don’t even know me.”
“Liz had told me about you. She loves you and she’s just as horrified as I am.”
Maryam’s face reddened but then she gave him a small smile.
“At least I’m not alone.” She sighed and glanced ruefully at the door. “But Lord Warwick will hound me now and I don’t want him anywhere near me. I can claim illness and stay in my room for a few more days but I can’t stay in here forever like a prisoner. Uncle Michael brought me here to get better and he’ll drag me out of here.”
Coven felt helpless. He wanted to do something, anything. But he couldn’t think of something.
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Yes.” Maryam suddenly clutched at his hand. “Make sure I’m never alone with Lord Warwick.”
“We will see to it.”
Coven had been planning on doing that, anyway. Warwick was avoided by even the strongest of women in society and they always had a chaperone around him. Warwick had made such a bad reputation for himself no one wanted to be associated with him unless they had no chance of avoiding it.
Lord Lindsey knew this. So why he was associating himself with the man was beyond Coven’s comprehension. He knew this would not turn out well for his niece yet he did it, anyway.
“Can I ask you something?” Maryam asked.
“Sure.”
“How are you and Lord Warwick related?”
Coven chuckled.
“I’ve been wondering that myself for years. Even my mother did not understand how they were brother and sister.”
“Was your mother a good person, then?”
“A total sweetheart.” Coven knew he was more than outstaying his welcome and stood. “I’d better go before someone comes to check on you.”
He moved away when Maryam grabbed his hand, her hand small and soft against his.
“Coven?”
Maryam was looking up at him with eyes full of tears, the slight smile she gave him warming him from within.
“Thank you.”
Coven was tempted to sit back down and refuse to leave. But he had already jumped too far over the line and he needed to run back before anyone noticed. Giving her a brisk nod, he hurried out.
***
Maryam knew full well what Coven had risked in coming to see her. It was reprehensible behavior for two unmarried people, but Maryam was grateful for his support. His gentleness had wrapped around her and Maryam could feel his touch long after he left.
How he had a blood relation like Lord Warwick she did not understand.
For the next three days Maryam kept to her room. Her coughing had come back with a vengeance and her uncle’s doctor told her she needed to steam out her lungs and do little until the coughing subsided. Maryam spent much of her time in front of the fire bent over a big bowl of boiling water, a towel over her head to catch the steam. It was very uncomfortable but Maryam could feel the effects of the steam on her lungs. Judith even scattered a few herbs in the water and made it sweet-smelling, which Maryam appreciated.
Elizabeth would visit several times a day to sit with her while her mother went for a rest or for food. They talked about mundane things, keeping off the subject of Maryam’s impending forced marriage. Elizabeth would drop a few hints about Coven, which Maryam pretended not to understand. She didn’t want to get her hopes up.
Coven didn’t come to see her. Maryam understood why and knew he didn’t want to push it but she missed him. She wanted to listen to his voice; as long as he was present.
On the third day, Maryam awoke to find that her breathing much improved; she didn’t rasp when she breathed. Her headache was much lighter and her body felt much refreshed. Maybe the pneumonia was passing.
When her stomach growled Maryam knew it was gone; her body was demanding nourishment.
Judith came into the room just as one maid was finishing dressing Maryam. She gave her daughter a pleased smile.
“I see you’re feeling better this morning?”
“Much better. I think it’s gone.” Maryam checked her hair in the mirror and turned to her mother, thanking the maid as she left. “I feel like wandering down for breakfast. I’m starving.”
Judith’s smile faded a little.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Seriously, Mama? I need to move about. I’m not walking to London.”
Maryam giggled but Judith didn’t look like she found it funny.
“The Earl of Warwick is still here.”
Maryam knew that. The maids had brought messages that Lord Warwick wanted to see her. Maryam rejected each request. The maids knew her feelings but still had to deliver the messages. Maryam didn’t scream at them or lose her temper as she knew they were stuck in the middle.
Lord Warwick was still visiting but Maryam was sure she could keep her distance.
“It’s early, he won’t be down for breakfast at this time.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Liz told me he’s always down late. I’ll be able to eat and then go for a walk with Liz. She and the Earl of Coventry have agreed to help me keep away from the Earl of Warwick. They’ll ensure I’m never alone with the man.”
“The Earl of Coventry?” Judith looked surprised. “How did you get him involved?”
“He is Lord Warwick’s nephew. And he was the one who suggested it.” Maryam didn’t elaborate on that. She shrugged. “Besides, the thought of me becoming his aunt makes him uncomfortable.”
That was Maryam’s excuse. She did not understand what Coven was thinking, but it had to be along those lines.
“As it does with me.” Judith smiled and winked. “I think that boy is sweet on you. I wouldn’t mind him as a son-in-law. Very nice lad.”
Maryam blushed and looked away. Why did her heart jump at the thought of the handsome earl being sweet on her?
“No, he isn’t, Mama. He’s just a good friend of Liz’s. And he’s a nice gentleman.”
“I’m sure.” Judith purred. Then sighed and turned away. “I will have my breakfast in my room. I’ve had enough run-ins with Lord Warwick that I want to keep out of sight if I can. I’ll be there when you’re back.”
Maryam stared after her, wondering what her mother meant. She had never said anything about other encounters with Lord Warwick. It made Maryam wonder what had happened.
It was easier getting down the stairs. Before, Maryam would have been wheezing and stopping halfway. That was a good sign. Her stomach’s growling also told her she needed to keep going and satisfy her appetite. Lord Lindsey was sitting at the head of the table, his plate half-full and sipping at his tea. He nodded at Maryam, his smile reaching his eyes.
“Good morning, Maryam. I trust you’re feeling better.”
“Yes, I’m…”
And then Maryam saw Lord Warwick sitting beside her uncle. His plate was piled high with food as was his side plate. He didn’t stop to stand as Maryam came in, merely giving her a leer as he stuffed his face.
Maryam knew she shouldn’t be insulted with his lack of manners after all the stories she had heard but it still made her feel sick watching him. She stiffened and turned.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to my room. I’ll have a tray delivered.”
Chapter 6
Her Buffers
W hy was he downstairs this early? He never came down this early, according to Elizabeth. Maryam decided not to stay.
She was at the bottom of the stairs when someone grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him. The Marquess of Lindsey towered over her, his genial demeanour replaced by fury.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He hissed.
Maryam had never seen her uncle like this. She shrank away from him but didn’t look away. She would not be bullied.
“I’m not staying here.” She tried to even her voice level, but it trembled. “I will not.”
“He’s your future husband.”
“No, he isn’t! He’s a vile old man and I will not marry him!”
Maryam flinched when her uncle’s fingers dug into her arm as he shook her.
“Stop being so childish, Maryam!” He snapped. “You are embarrassing me! You will have your breakfast with the rest of us and you will enjoy the earl’s company.”
Maryam had no intention of doing that. Not on her own. She tried to pull away but Lord Lindsey held on even tighter. She was about to scream when she heard Coven’s voice.
“Lord Lindsey?”
Coven was hurrying down the stairs. Lord Lindsey looked up and let go of Maryam’s arm, stepping back with a scowl. Coven stepped between them, seeming to block Maryam from her uncle, and looked between them.
“What is going on here?”
Maryam was ashamed. She had hoped nobody had seen that. She rubbed her arm and looked at the floor. Lord Lindsey huffed and turned away.
“Talk sense into your future aunt, Coven.”
He stalked back into the dining room. Maryam shuddered. Coven’s aunt.
“That title makes me cringe even more.”
“Same here.” The expression on Coven’s face said he didn’t want to think about the possible title, either. He turned to her and lowered his voice. “We won’t leave you alone with him. Remember? You don’t have to go into a room with Lord Warwick unless you have myself or Elizabeth with you? Is that agreed?”
Maryam was very happy with that. Her uncle may force her to be around the odious man but he couldn’t stop her from having her own chaperones. She laid a hand on Coven’s arm and managed a smile.
“Thank you.” She whispered.
***<
br />
Coven sat across from Maryam and wished he could improve her spirits. Despite her determination to stay until she had eaten her breakfast, the poor thing was almost in tears. Lord Lindsey sat in his chair, his breakfast long eaten, glaring at her while Warwick talked away. He didn’t seem to care that nobody was paying any attention.
Elizabeth sat beside Maryam and tried to start a conversation with her cousin but Warwick would talk over her without even stopping. Eventually, she gave up, giving Coven a frustrated look. It was awful and Coven could feel the tension sitting heavy in the air.
Maryam focused on eating, ignoring the fact she was uncomfortable. She concentrated on her food and not on Warwick, who tried in vain asking her questions. She ignored him. Finally, Warwick gave up and just talked on and on to Lord Lindsey.
Coven thought his head would explode with the constant chattering.
Eventually, in a slight lull in the one-sided conversation, Lord Lindsey spoke.
“So, what are your plans today, Maryam?”
Maryam shrugged, reaching for her teacup.
“I don’t know yet.”
“I was thinking of taking Maryam for a walk to get fresh air into her lungs.” Elizabeth blurted, giving Maryam a big smile. “It will do the world of good.”
Coven watched as relief and a smile passed across Maryam’s face. He somehow wished he had been the one who had given her that smile.
“That sounds like an idea.” She said excitedly. “I can’t wait to catch up where I’m not in bed.”
“Elizabeth.” Her father’s voice was low in a warning. “Have you forgotten our guest?”
“Maryam’s a guest as well.” Elizabeth protested.
But Coven had noticed the pointed look his way and knew what Lord Lindsey was implying. He sighed.
“I think he means me, Liz.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
“Father, we’ve been over this too many times to count. You know Garrett and I will never marry. And I’m not abandoning my cousin.”
“I can always take her.” Warwick offered. He sat back and patted his stomach. “I could do with a walk myself.”
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