Lady Henrietta's Dilemma: Regency Suspense Romance Book 2 (Lords of Sussex) (6 page)

Frowning slightly, the
viscount bowed, and guided Lottie through the door.

Puzzled, Esther struggled back up in the bed, and watched as the doctor closed the door. Coming over to the bed, he said softly. ‘Mademoiselle I have news for you. Are you aware you are with child?’

‘With child?’ Horrified Esther’s hand flew to her stomach. So that was the reason for the nausea.

The doctor did not question who the father was, or her circumstances, but continued with his examination. ‘I suspected so when I first attended you. From your pulses, you are still in need of bed rest my dear.’

‘But I can’t – I need to return to my apartment. I can rest there.’

‘As you wish my dear, but I will recall the
viscount.’

‘Please – please doctor, do not tell him.  I – he – we are only friends.  He is not the father.’ Esther stuttered.  God in heaven what was she to do now?

With a benign expression, the doctor nodded, and went to the door, summoning the viscount and Lottie. On entering, David looked quizzically at Esther, as she tried to smile, which she felt sure looked more like a grimace.

The doctor went to the side of the bed and picked up her wrist; ‘
Her pulses are thready my lord; I have prescribed more bed rest, but I also think she should be bled to purify the blood, especially as…’ he paused, tightening his lips, ‘hmm, as she suffered such a febrile fever.’

Esther winced.
‘Cutting?’

‘No mamselle – leeches. I do have some with me, as I expected it would be the case.’  He took out a large jar from his case and opening it, picked out a dark leech. ‘Yes, this is a prime specimen,’ he said, as it squirmed in his hand.

‘Oh no – no. I couldn’t, I'd die if those things were on me,’ Esther exclaimed, her face blanching.

David glowered, ‘Doctor Bastion, I did tell you – no leeches. 
Cannot abide the damn things meself.  People die from them. No – definitely not, go feed your little pets elsewhere.’

Lottie uttered one of her little shrieks, and threw her apron over her face.

But my lord – tis the finest treatment—’

‘It will not happen here. I forbid it,’ the
viscount shouted over Lottie’s shrieks.   ‘No my good doctor, I wish you to tend to her without the leeches or the cutting.’  His mind raced back to the night his dear wife lay quite white and comatose, the leeches fat from feeding on her blood.

‘But
my lord, tis the finest treatment, the best leeches. See?’ The doctor remonstrated waving the leech before the viscount’s face.

‘Doctor
do not push me. If you wish to tend to the patient heed my words.’ he roared.

Esther lay back startled; this was not her gentle giant; this was a man determined to have his way.  ‘Good doctor, please, put them away,’ she said gently.

Flustered, the doctor put the leech in the glass, and hastily stowed it back in his case.

Very well,
my lord, tis of course your prerogative, but I warn you this young woman could succumb to the fever again.  We are holding it at bay at present. I shall examine the wound once more.’ He stopped and then said, ‘I have procured a nurse for you my lord; she will stay with the young lady through the coming night.’

The
viscount turned to Esther, ‘Will you stay m’dear. We can get you back in the morning.’

‘If it is necessary, then I have no choice.’

Bowing, the doctor left the room.

‘You are doing so much for me
my lord; I do not know how to thank you.’

‘Just get well my dear girl – get well. I must say I find those leeches positively gruesome.’

The door opened to admit the doctor, and a woman who shuffled behind him. ‘Let me introduce Madame Laurent. ‘

‘I beg your pardon?’ David stepped back; the woman exuded a foul sour smell. His eyes roved over her dirt splotched face, the grimy shawl and stained grey apron.  Glaring at her, he said, ‘Show me your hands.’

Mutely the woman held up grimy hands smiling, showing blackened and missing teeth.

‘Doctor Bastian
, would you please remove this person right now.’

‘But
my lord, she is—’

‘Remove her, before I remove you both,’ the
viscount said, in an intense voice.

‘Madam Laurent is the best; many people have—’

‘Died?’ David questioned, his face muscles tensing. ‘I warn you Doctor, get rid of her now.’

Hearing the menace in the Duke’s voice, the doctor bowed, ushering the woman out, as they fiercely chattered in French. 

David wiped his forehead with a snow-white lace handkerchief. ‘Good Lord did you see that? Does she never put water to her face? I am astounded; the doctor is immaculate, but he brought in a denizen from hell.’

‘
My lord, he did so in good faith. Many cannot afford the luxury of soap.’ Esther explained, bemused yet agreeing with him. She saw an emotional side to him now, which was reassuring after the distant composure of before.

‘Your health and well-being are of the utmost to me
, my dear Esther. We will make do with your excellent maid and myself,’ he said, putting the handkerchief back in his pocket.  

Lottie smiled and curtseyed at his compliment and moved over to Esther.  ‘I’m here mi
stress never fear, I’ll look after you.’ Upon which, she wrapped her arms around Esther.

‘Now – now Lottie.
All is well, la, you are quite overcome.’

‘No-one has ever called me excellent before.  I almost lost my wits
.’

Despite the secret she now harboured, Esther smiled and hugged her back. 

Turning to Penfold, she said, ‘So I must be more of a trial to you, my Lord?’

David strode over and lifted her hand to his lips. ‘Not a trial – a privilege m’dear.’

Esther wondered how he would react to the news of her condition. With that thought, her heart almost failed.

The Hotel in Ostend

Lord Vaughan looked stonily out of the window.  The sea was as grey as his thoughts.  

‘Henrietta, I know you are stalling, please do not be so obvious.’ Vaughan said testily.

Startled, she looked across at him as she lifted her head from yet another chamber pot. ‘You are so cruel my lord. Can you not see how sick I am?’

‘Hmm, you should have been an actress.’

‘How could you? I vomited within half an hour of sailing; the sickness assailed me for the whole of the voyage.’

‘Enough, come, lie with me.  That’s all I ask of you. Just lie with me.’

Tutting, and wiping a pale hand across her forehead, she did as he bid, albeit reluctantly. As she reached his side, he murmured, ‘Are you not uncomfortable in your travelling clothes?’

‘Hah no my lord, tis so chilly in here.  The wind is quite blustery over the sea. La, the waves must be ten feet high or more.’

Lord Vaughan sighed, ‘My dear
, the mullioned windows are toughened glass, as they overlook the beach.  You are just making excuses. Come, Etta, take off your jacket just for me?’

Grimacing, Henrietta began unbuttoning her jacket, whereupon Vaughan sprang from the bed to help.

‘So many buttons,’ he muttered. However, his nimble fingers soon had them undone; in one dexterous movement, he slid his hand inside the silk lining.

Henrietta stiffened. This was not in the bargain. Biting her lip, she turned her head away. ‘You should never have given me that book.'

Vaughan swept her up in his arms. ‘Come my little virgin; let me teach you the art of love.’

‘Vaughan, you promised, when I am ready.’

‘I meant before our marriage. For goodness sake, I have been very patient. Now you put up more excuses.’

‘Have you no compassion?’

‘Look, let’s strike a bargain. I will show you the first stage of love making tonight, but that is as far as I will go.’

‘And pray what is the first stage?’

He raised his eyebrows; she really had no idea. ‘Well, kisses, hugs, and then I will stroke that beautiful skin. I promise that will be all.’

‘Promise?’

‘On my honour milady. First, you must divest yourself of your clothes. I want you naked in my bed. Come let me help you.’ He rather enjoyed the prospect of undressing her. Usually his mistresses or whores were ready for him wearing only a chemise or transparent night rail. It was going to be a delight to pluck this little bird. Maybe, she would succumb, writhe in ecstasy at his touch. But then, pigs may fly with their tails forward. 

***

Lord Vaughan quietly fumed, watching his bride make ready for the ball.  He could not believe he spent the night by the side of a woman wrapped in both a voluminous night rail and a sheet.  Rejected twice now, it was unheard of.  Well at least he had the card game to look forward to tonight.

Unaware of his frustration, Henrietta pursed her lips. ‘I think maybe the more tousled look for the curls in the top knot, Milly.’

‘La milady, you’re right, do you like the ringlets down each side? ‘

‘Oh yes, I think they are the right length, just below the ears.  Could you pull out a few tendrils to float down the neck?’

‘Why yes, you have such a beautiful slender neck milady.’

Slender?
I could throttle it; Lord Vaughan thought. 

‘La, I must declare tis a tight fit in here with all of us.’

Lord Vaughan raised his eyebrows, ‘I had to give a steep bribe to the proprietor to get even the three rooms, honestly, they’re like gold dust. Other than that, we would have been forced to camp out. The boat sailed back straightaway to Ostend. Trouble is with Old Boney, on the march through France, Wellington’s calling for thousands of troops.’

‘We are so fortunate to be under your protection my lord.’ Henrietta said, with a smile.

Far rather under my body madam, Vaughan thought. Maybe, she’d be more amenable now.

Turning to Milly, she said, ‘Milly how are you coping in the pension?’

‘Well we have a curtain across the room milady, so the men sleep on one side, and us women on the other – three in a bed. But, at least we slept milady.’

‘I was able to procure a room for the chef. It was no bigger than a broom cupboard, but at least it saved his dignity.’ Vaughan told them.

Henrietta laughed, ‘Can you imagine, the chef bedding down with the others. Oh my goodness, he’d have thrown a fit. Our bed was quite uncomfortable, I declare the mattress is split and the feathers look positively gangrenous.’

‘Uncomfortable? You slept fit for the dead my love.’ Lord Vaughan quipped, keeping his voice neutral.  It was just unheard of, not only was the marriage unconsummated; she even denied him seeing her naked.

‘There we are, milady – the belle of the ball.’ They will fight to have their names on your card.’

‘Already filled Milly.’
Vaughan smirked.

‘Filled my lord?’ Henrietta echoed, raising her eyebrows.

‘Why yes, officers on board the ship plagued me for a place on your card.  I could hardly refuse.’ He smiled wryly, all fictitious names, a prince of the Swedish Royal family, who had also come into a dukedom, had his eye on Etta. The man approached Bruges on the ship with an offer he could not refuse. Neither could he resist the offer, of an evening of cards whilst the prince had sole access to his wife.

‘Sir, it is not done to have prior listing on the cards.’

‘Well this time it is; you’re with the army now m’dear, and we have different rules. To refuse could result in a fall out of major proportions, guns at dawn no less.’

‘Pah, tis far too dramatic.’

‘Not when it could be your last day on this earth Etta.’  Vaughan said, his eyes narrowing. But then, his heart lightened at the thought of the evening ahead.

Milly rushed over to the armoire bringing out a ball gown. ‘Here we are milady; the housekeeper kindly let me use her irons to press out the creases.
Tis looking beautiful.’

Rising from her chair, Henrietta discarded her robe, and smoothed down her petticoats before stepping into the ball gown. 

After buttoning a dozen satin covered buttons, tying a myriad ribbons and laces Milly stepped back, ‘La, such a grand dress milady.’

Henrietta turned to face Vaughan, a hesitant smile on her beautiful face. He caught his breath. She was a vision of loveliness; the peach satin made the cornflower blue eyes positively sparkle.  A halo of golden curls glistened in the candlelight; puffed sleeves of ruffled Valenciennes bobbin lace showed off the rounded arms, whilst the low scooped bodice, framed delicious breasts. Folds of spider gauze decorated with rosebuds flowed from the high waist over the peach satin, accentuating her lissom body, whilst three rows of rosettes of Valenciennes lace decorated the hem. The pearls glowed on the alabaster skin. Poor woman had no idea of her fate, best to break her in gently.

‘Milly, I need something cool to wear; I think the cream spencer for tonight, tis far too warm for a pelisse.’ Etta frowned, puzzling what to wear.

‘What about the ivory silk shawl milady? The scattered pearls on the fringes would suit beautifully. 
Oh and your satin slippers.’

‘Well thought of Milly, but I do think I shall wear these slippers and change in the carriage, If there is a crush of carriages waiting at the entrance, the slippers will soil.’

‘Oh yes milady, these are such a precious colour and of the finest silk. Then there’s your reticule.’

‘Oh yes, Mrs. Wallis, the modiste knew a milliner well skilled in fashioning reticules as well as bonnets. So we matched up the peach satin and pearls.’

‘La milady, it gives a finishing touch to it.’

Henrietta turned to Vaughan, ‘My lord you look so handsome in your superfine jacket and ivory breeches.  I love the diamond and ruby stick pin my lord. Why it must be worth a small fortune?'

‘One of the family jewels m’dear. Better not to flaunt the parure until we are in Brussels.  I trust you have it safely locked away?’

‘Ah yes, my lord, I have them in the boxe chinoise at the bottom of the trunk. Best to keep them apart from other jewels
; I do not want them to brush against any sharp edges.’

‘Good thinking. Now
, before we go, a liquor or wine perhaps?’ Anything, he thought to melt this frosty Valkyrie before meeting the prince.

‘
No thank you, why I will have red cheeks like a doxy. No, the fashion is to be very pale Vaughan. Why some of the ladies actually paint blue veins on their throats to give the appearance of delicacy.’

‘Good lord, scare the life out of me. Please do not ever present yourself to me like so.’

‘Of course not my lord, with my pale hair and skin I have no need. However, I shall indulge in an aperitif later, and then of course; we have the wine and champagne for supper.’

Vaughan smiled, champagne with a prince come duke, no less. Not that he would give away the name of the dukedom, the princely title would have a stronger appeal. She had no idea, the poor darling. Now if she had been more amenable in bed, perhaps he would not have sold her.  After all, he lay sleepless last night. What was she thinking of? After a few watery kisses, she turned that gorgeous body away from him, promptly falling into a deep sleep. Maybe after a few hours with the prince, she would be more acquiescent. Being a gentleman, he would not of course force
her, he just hoped the prince behaved in like fashion.

The carriage ride proved exhilarating; Henrietta could taste the salty air of the ocean, and the scent of fresh seaweed pervaded the small carriage.
‘My Lord, tis so exciting.  However, you spoke of a dance list; may I have it please? I would like to write down the names on my card when we get there.’

‘Of course, but I shall be keeping a strict eye on you my lady; you are far too beautiful to let loose on that pack of wolves.’

‘You frighten me, my lord.’

‘Never fear I shall be close by.’ He did not flicker an eye at this gross lie; he would be safely tucked away with his gaming partners for the night.  Of course, the prince had access
to her now at any time.  However, her friend Phillipa gave an apt summation.   Etta hailed from Arthurian legends, of drooping eyes, quivering lip, and under her skirts, an iron chastity belt locked by her – only she held the key.

Gazing down at the list, Henrietta said, ‘The first is Lord Florescue Viscount Wingrave. I do not know him.’

‘He is lately down from Scotland. The family have estates in Sussex and Scotland. He prefers to live in the North.’ Vaughan lied, without a quiver in his voice.

‘So what does this
viscount look like?’

‘Hmm, quite ordinary
– clumsy gait.’

‘Not very thrilling, but then I would dance with you all evening my lord, courtesy permitting.’

‘I must not be selfish m’dear. I have you to myself all day and night.’ Henrietta missed the smirk, as she leant to kiss him on his cheek.

‘My true and gentle knight.’