The Duke's Love

by Stephanie Maddux

  “I suppose you have a point and I am glad that you have realized our positions here. I also would be alarmed if we were to become the talk of the ton and I appreciate your civility. Apparently, you have had time to think of your actions since the encounter last night.” Ana said smoothly.

  “I do apologize for my actions last evening. So, do you think we can find a way to tolerate each other for the remainder of the visit?” Sarah asked.

  Before Ana had the chance to say anything else, Eliza sat down with them and joined in.

  “What do we have here? Tell me Sarah, are you planning to have a tantrum the next time you do not get your way? I dare say, it did provide a most entertaining evening,” Eliza jibed. Sarah huffed and sneered at them before she got up and walked away. Eliza took the opportunity to ask, “What did the witch want?” She asked.

  “It appeared that she was calling a truce of sorts, but you interrupted before I could question her more,” Ana said frowning.

  Although she did not particularly want tea, she at least had to try to be polite. She picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea had a bitter taste. After everyone was seated, breakfast was served. “Does your tea taste alright, Eliza?” Ana asked.

  “Yes, why do you ask?”

  “No reason, Perhaps it is just mine,” Ana shook her head, taking another sip. She wrinkled her nose at the bitter taste and decided she had enough. Suddenly, she found that she was not feeling well and a headache was forming. She looked down at the food in front of her and the food did not look appetizing at all.

  “Ana, are you feeling okay? You look rather pale, what is wrong?” Eliza’s concerned voice reached her ears.

  “It is probably nothing, I just have a headache. I think I will retire to my room for a bit, maybe a little rest will help,” Ana said as she stood up and clumsily walked out of the dining room. She stumbled upstairs, leaning on the wall in the hall to help guide her to her room. A sudden feeling of exhaustion and dizziness was beginning to overcome her. Somehow, she knew something was wrong, but she was feeling so ill that she could not think clearly. All she could concentrate on now was to get to her bed to rest. Slowly, she felt herself collapsing and her last thought was hoping that she had reached the bed.

  Frowning, Jake watched as Ana had stumbled from the dining room. Something was wrong and a sense of worry was growing inside of him. He was not even paying attention, when Sarah had started talking to him. He recalled something about gardens. “Did you notice anything amiss with Lady Ana?” He asked politely. He saw her eyes narrow. Earlier, he had watched as Sarah and Ana were speaking with each other. Although, it had not appeared a happy conversation, he had decided not to intervene.

  “No, she seemed fine to me.” Sarah continued to chatter about nonsense and it was wearing on his nerves.

  The hunting party was ready to leave. He was just waiting to say good-bye to his mother and he wanted to have a word with Ana. However, it looked like it would have to wait. “Sarah, if you will excuse me, I would like to have a word with my mother,” he said stiffly. He gave her a quick bow and walked away without waiting for her reply. He noticed Eliza and his mother in conversation.

  “Eliza, what is wrong with Ana?” He questioned.

  “Don’t be alarmed, she just has a headache and went to rest,” Katherine answered for Eliza.

  “Look, your Grace, there has been much tension since last night, she really doesn’t want to be here, it is wearing her down. She will be fine, I promise,” Eliza supplied. Jake relaxed a little. Okay, that made sense and he fully understood how she felt. God knows, he was feeling the strain, as well.

  “Very well, will you check on her later, Mother?” He asked in silent command.

  “Yes, dear, you go have fun and I’ll look in on her later. Please be back by dinner, the chef has outdone himself today,” she chuckled.

  Jake gave her his thanks, kissed her on the cheek, and went to gather the men for the hunt. A foxhunt would be a good diversion. It had been awhile since he had been able to enjoy a foxhunt. Tomorrow he had a lot of estate business to attend to and that would keep him more than busy and out of the way.

  . He joined the men outside, climbed up on his horse, and then gave the word to start the hunt. A gun sounded, everyone jumped into action, and Jake jumped into the fray with them. Even as he rode through the woods fast and hard, his mind was not on the chase. With his muscles sore and sweat beading down his face a good hour later, he still had a nagging feeling that something was amiss. He mentally recounted his morning and knew it was Ana that was bothering him.

  After debating his decision for a moment, he determined that the hunting party could finish without him. He turned his horse around and headed back toward the stables, feeling better with each stride the horse made. He reached the stables, jumped off, threw the reins to the stable hand, and hurried inside.

  Eliza was sitting in the parlor with her mother, along with Lady Felicia and her awful daughter. Katherine was having the carriages brought around. The ladies were going into the village for a bit of shopping. The other guests were still in their chambers getting dressed.

  “I need to go and check on Ana before we leave.” Eliza said to her mother. She went upstairs and eased the bedroom door open. Ana was fast asleep on the bed. She slipped inside the room, being careful not to wake her.

  Eliza noted the odd position that Ana was lying in, so she walked over and placed her hand on her forehead. She jerked her hand back after realizing that Ana was burning up. Eliza grabbed her shoulders trying to shake her awake. However, she remained limp and did not make a sound. Feeling her pulse, she knew something was dreadfully wrong. She rushed downstairs and found Katherine. “Something’s not right, come quickly.” She practically dragged Katherine along behind her.

  When they entered Ana’s room, Katherine immediately saw what the urgency was about. Katherine told all the ladies to go back downstairs, canceling the village trip. Once alone, Katherine and Eliza both jumped into action. Eliza ran for a bowl of cold water and towels. Frantically, Katherine gathered the servants and gave each one a specific order. She had servants running around and a footman going to the village to find a doctor. Eliza knew this was not just a simple headache. Could it be something she ate? Katherine sent someone to find her son and they were awaiting Jake’s arrival.

  In the meantime, Eliza and a maid undressed Ana, wiped her down with cold cloths, and covered her with a light blanket. Katherine's guests were being kept in the dark, so she needed to make up some excuse to cancel the evening activities. Eliza was dabbing Ana's head with a cold wet cloth. She kept talking to Ana, more to make herself calm, than trying to get through to the unconscious girl.

  “What the hell happened?” Jake asked as he entered the bedchamber. A servant directed him upstairs the moment he had stepped inside the house.

  “I have no idea, but I’ve already sent for a doctor,” Katherine replied.

  “How long has she been like this?” Jake snapped out.

  “She’s been like this for at least an hour,” she said. Jake ignored the social propriety of staying out of a lady’s bedroom, and immediately went to Ana’s bedside. Katherine could see the tension mounting on his face and stress lines were becoming more evident with every passing minute. She watched as he took the cold cloth and lightly swabbed Ana’s forehead.

  “The doctor is here, your Grace,” a servant said from the doorway and the doctor came in carrying a huge black bag. The doctor began asking questions and examining Ana. Katherine and Eliza answered his questions as best as they could.

  “Her heart is beating way too fast. I’ll need to give her something to calm her down,” he stated.

  “Whatever it takes, just do it,” Jake snapped. After the doctor dictated a multitude of directions, he made his final order.

  “Hopefully, she will be fine. For now, there is nothing else I can do for her. The lady needs rest and plenty of fluids. Her body will do the work of cleansing her. I d
on’t know exactly what is wrong, but by the looks of it, I would say it was a poison of some sort," he said as he packed up his medical tools.

  “She did ask me if the tea tasted bitter this morning,” Eliza spoke up.

  Eliza had several cups of the tea so far today, so she knew her tea was fine. Then she thought about Sarah and her behavior thus far this weekend. “Do you think that maybe someone put something in her drink?” She asked.

  “What are you saying? Who would do such a thing?” Eliza said to herself.

  “Everyone leave the room. Just leave,” Jake’s voice quivered. Eliza looked over at Katherine and she knew they were thinking the same thing. It was highly improper to have Jake alone with Ana, even in this condition. Eliza gave a slight nod and Katherine acquiesced. They would sort out the consequences later. Everyone left, leaving Jake alone with Ana.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jake stayed by Ana’s side as much as he could the rest of the day. The doctor looked in on her earlier the next day. Jake ate with the guests and conversed with them on occasion, otherwise, he was occupied. After interviews with the cook, servants, and some of the guests, it was determined that the food was not the culprit. Jake kept going over who could have done this, if indeed someone had done it. Maybe Sarah? He could not fathom that she could possibly hate Ana that much or else she would have done something sooner.

  “Is she alright?” Viscount Langley came upon him as he was gathering papers from the library before heading back to Ana's side.

  “She’s still sleeping,” Jake said.

  “Again, is she alright?” He asked again.

  “She will be. Would you like to visit her?” Jake took in the Viscount’s ragged appearance, knowing he had every right to have them keep him informed of Ana’s condition.

  “I will tell him of her condition,” Eliza said, making herself known behind him. She took the Viscount by the arm and started to lead him from the hallway.

  “You’re going to have to accept our relationship, your Grace. I am not going away,” the Viscount informed him. Jake’s lips curved up in dry amusement. “You underestimate me.” he continued to say.

  “We’ll see,” Jake said as he watched him leave, his respect for the man going up a notch.

  Jake met his mother on the stairs and together they went into the dining room. He glanced around the room and saw Sarah sitting to the right of his seat. Jake did not know how to tell Sarah he was not interested. He and his mother had spoken at length about marriage and the decision was made that he would wait until he found the suitable woman, although intuition already told him he had already found her. Jake was glad the weekend was over and most of the guests would leave the next day, including Sarah and her mother.

  After dinner, the guests were supposed to play parlor games and relax before their long journey home. Jake doubted he could beg off again, since he had excused himself from the previous night’s activities. He had instructed a servant to inform him every hour on Ana’s condition. Normally, her maid would attend to her, but he sent her home with their entire luggage, since they had told the guests that Ana went home to consult her own doctor.

  It had seemed the best way to deal with the unfolding drama without adding any gossip or ruining Ana during her healing process. It also made it easier for Jake to arrange being alone with Ana without the guests being aware. The evening dragged on and it was late before he could get upstairs to her. When he entered Ana’s bedroom, he found Eliza and the Viscount sitting by her side.

  “Jake, she will recover, won’t she?” Eliza asked while she was holding Ana’s hand. Jake watched as she gazed down lovingly on her friend's face, before she released her hand, and came to stand in front of him.

  “Yes, I’ll make sure of it,” he whispered. Eliza stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed his cheek.

  “Take good care of her.” Eliza said, as she and the Viscount silently left the room, closing the door behind them.

  Jake noticed there was a washbasin filled with warm water on the table beside the bed. He sat down, wrung the cloth out, and gently started bathing Ana. He started with her face and worked his way down. He paused to take off her chemise. Jake smiled as he thought of the outrage she would show once she learned who had taken care of her personal needs. Not that he minded, he enjoyed looking after her and did not regret it for one moment. He was careful not to linger too long on her beautiful naked body, but it took tremendous effort to cover her back up with the coverlet. He kissed her on her lips, settled himself in the chair beside her bed, and tried to catch some sleep.

  Ana was trying so hard to open her eyes, but they felt so heavy. She tried to move, but her entire body was stiff. Her mind was trying to make sense of what was happening, but she was still too disoriented to think clearly.

  “Wake up sweetheart, wake up for me,” Jake’s voice was penetrating her haziness as it sounded softly in her ear.

  The effort to open her eyes was draining her of energy, but she could make out a blurry Jake, hovering over her. She tried to speak, but the only thing that came out was a croak. She felt Jake lift her up and he settled her against him. She tried to move, even willed her body to move, but she felt nothing.

  He brought a glass to her lips and she felt cool water trickle down her throat. After several drinks and minutes later, she found herself leaning against Jake and it slowly dawned on her, they were alone, and she was in her chemise, practically naked. She struggled to pull up the sheet to keep herself covered.

  “It’s okay, everything will be okay,” he said in a soothing voice, not commenting on her actions. He stroked her hair and rubbed her arms.

  Ana believed him, mostly because she did not want to try to work things out right now. She was tired and she felt herself falling back to sleep. It seemed easier this way. She felt herself being laid back down and realized she was being tucked in beside Jake. She knew being alone, and in a bed together, was not a good combination. However, she felt safe and secure, so she drifted back to sleep.

  Hours later, she again woke up and everything seemed a little clearer. She opened her eyes and the room was dark, except for a dimming fire. She looked around and wondered how long she had been asleep. She wanted to know what had happened. She felt Jake immediately beside her, holding her close. He was asleep and snoring softly. She took the time to study him. His face was pale. Underneath his eyes was dark and puffy, and he desperately needed to shave. She started to sit up, but her whole body felt battered and bruised. She moaned in pain and Jake jerked awake.

  “You’re awake.” His voice was thick with sleep.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Ana spoke softly. Her head was pounding. “What happened to me?”

  Jake’s face had gone into a scowl. “What’s the last thing that you remember?” He asked.

  She told him about coming in for breakfast, about the people she spoke with and her conversation with Sarah. She told him how she felt and then the last thing was when she went up to her room to rest. That was it, nothing out of the ordinary. She watched as Jake rubbed his temples. “You fell ill and have been very sick for the last two days,” he answered.

  “How long have I been asleep?” She asked.

  “You have been in and out for about two days. The weekend party is over and some of the guests are going home later today and then the rest will leave by tomorrow at the latest,” he explained.

  The weekend was over and Ana had not really been able to talk with Jake. As if he was reading her mind, she watched as he got up and shrugged out of his shirt. He climbed into the bed with her, tucking her in tightly beside him. “What are you doing?” She stammered as she took in his broad chest.

  “We need to talk and I would like to get comfortable,” he smiled.

  Ana felt his smooth skin against her back. She was very aware of Jake’s nakedness next to hers. Ana tried to listen as Jake told her about the doctor’s visit and the suspicions of what had happened to her. “I didn’t eat anyt
hing. I just had tea.” She frowned while thinking about the cup of tea Sarah had given her. She did not want to say anything to Jake about it, but it still lingered in the back of her mind.

  “I won’t let anything like this happen again. I’m just glad you’re okay,” Jake said, as he leaned over and kissed her sweetly.

  “That’s it? You’re just going to forget it happened?” She asked between kisses.

  “What else do you want me to do love?” He said gently.

  Something did not seem right, but instead of pushing the issue; she asked how the weekend went. He filled her in with the latest gossip and activities. She had forgotten how comfortable being with Jake was and how easy it was to talk to him. He had always been so carefree and could easily make her laugh. She really did not want to lose the spark they had. He spoke to her as an equal, always listened to her opinions and was wonderfully thoughtful. Now, before she lost her courage, she wanted to tell him all the secrets she had been keeping from him.

  “Jake, we need to talk,” she said.

  “No, we need to rest,” Jake interrupted her. He pulled her close and the only thing she wanted at that moment was snuggle up to him; safe and secure. She was acutely aware of Jake’s bare chest and arms as he folded her into them.

  “We shouldn’t do this, Jake,” she said quietly.

  “It’s just like old times, relax, and sleep,” he murmured in her ear.

  Just like old times? This was much better than anything she remembered. Ana was not ignorant when it came to the relations between married people and the intimacies they shared. Thanks to Jake, she was also vastly knowledgeable of what all could be accomplished outside the bedroom. She fell into a restful sleep, without thought to anything else, except she was here with Jake.

  Jake was aware that lying beside Ana was a very dumb idea, but he wanted to keep Ana close, and to make her feel safe. Resting, with her practically naked body beside him, was not one of his finer ideas. He shifted uncomfortably, due to his awareness of Ana and his arousal. Ana was sleeping, so she was completely oblivious to his turmoil. He needed to think about something else. He was slowly coming to a decision about Sarah. Just thinking about her did the trick. Immediately he felt his erection go down and he was able to shift into a more comfortable position.