Chapter 11 #2
Marina gasped as air filled her lungs and she was finally able to breathe.
Evan relaxed at the sound of her breathing and carefully picked her up in his arms, bridal style.
How fitting. Her head lolled against his shoulder, and he focused on the sound of her shallow breaths to reassure himself that she was still alive and breathing.
The Shirley daughters parted the way for him, murmuring quietly with concern.
He glared at Marina’s parents, who had not even seemed to notice their daughter fainting.
Lady Shirley was busy trying to sneak a peek at the nearby gardens while Lord Shirley was staring off into the distance, probably thinking about his next meal.
“Lord Shirley,” he said sharply.
The man startled at the sound of his name and turned to look at the duke. “Yes, Your Grace?”
“Your daughter is feeling ill. Run ahead to the manor and call for a physician.” He barely kept himself from snarling out the words. How on earth can these people show so little concern for their daughter?
He would be distraught if Lilly suddenly fainted, but Lord and Lady Shirley had not even noticed. They probably did not notice how poorly Marina had been feeling on her own wedding day.
Lord Shirley looked properly cowed by Evan’s tone. He turned toward the manor and started to jog in its direction, so he could summon the first servant he saw to call for a physician.
Evan followed at a slower pace, surrounded by the rest of the Shirley ladies. All of them were looking at their sister with concern, and none of them was talking as they made the trek to the manor.
He glanced down at his bride now and then. Her face was ghostly pale, and her eyes were still closed from lack of consciousness. But at least she was still breathing.
It felt like an eternity before they reached the manor.
He carried Marina straight upstairs, to the duchess’s suite, and set her down on the bed.
He looked at her sisters, who were currently trying to crowd into the room.
“Give her space,” he said. He gestured to a side door, which led to the duchess’s private sitting room.
“You may wait in there until after the physician has examined her.”
All of them nodded and went to the sitting room. Meanwhile, he slumped in a chair next to the bed, feeling angry and worried all at once. He took a deep breath, willing his emotions down so his rational mind could prevail. He started reciting facts to himself to calm himself.
She is breathing. She felt well enough to bicker with me just before she fainted. The chances of her falling gravely ill without her sisters noticing it are slim…even though her parents would not have noticed if she were on her deathbed.
He grimaced and chased that thought away before focusing on the steady rise and fall of her chest.
It took too long for the physician to arrive, even though he probably hurried to Pemberton Manor straight away. A servant immediately showed him into the duchess’s suite. The man looked at his patient with a calculating look. “It will just take me a moment to examine her, Your Grace,” he said.
Evan nodded and stepped to the side to give him space to work, but he did not leave the room. He would not let Marina out of his sight until he knew that she was all right.
After a brief examination, the physician stepped away from the bed. “I do not think she is gravely ill, Your Grace. It appears to be simple exhaustion, mixed with a tight corset.”
“Are you certain?” Evan asked, tense.
Before the man could reply, the eldest Miss Shirley appeared in the doorway of the bedchamber, looking uncertain.
She looked from Evan to the physician. “Marina has not been eating well for the past few days,” she said.
“I noticed that she hardly touched her food during meal times. She would only sip at her tea. I think she was nervous for today.”
Evan gritted his teeth at the thought of his bride not eating. Is the thought of marrying me truly that distressing? Why did she not tell anyone that she was feeling poorly?
The physician nodded. “Yes, that would definitely have a negative effect on Her Grace. She will need to sleep for a while in peace, and she will need to eat something when she wakes up. Whatever she can get down.”
He glanced at the duke, looking a little cautious.
“I do not recommend any physical exertion for the next few days.” He cleared his throat.
“Aside from possible marital duties, she should abstain from social obligations. No large crowds of people. No dancing. Nothing of the sort until she gets her strength back.”
Evan nodded. “There was no chance of that, anyway.” He would simply wait until she was stronger before he informed her of her responsibilities with Lilly.
“Excellent, Your Grace. Then I bid you a good morning. Congratulations on your wedding.” The physician bowed before leaving the room. As he left, Lady Shirley entered, barely sparing the departing man a glance.
“Excuse me, Your Grace,” Lady Shirley said, curtsying to Evan before turning to her eldest daughter. “Amelia, where are your sisters?”
She gestured to the sitting room. With the door partially ajar, Evan could see all of the ladies standing anxiously together, waiting to be summoned in to see their sister.
Lady Shirley glanced in their direction before looking back at Amelia. “It is time to go,” she said. “Your father has not had his breakfast yet, and you know how he gets when he is hungry.”
Anger flickered on Amelia’s face. “If you do not mind, I wish to stay until my sister wakes up.”
“There is no need for that. She is in good hands with the duke, and you are needed at home. Collect your sisters and let us be off.”
Evan glared at the Viscountess. “Your daughter will be fine, by the way. The physician just confirmed.”
She looked surprised, as if it had not even occurred to her to be concerned for her daughter.
“Excellent news, Your Grace,” she said. “Have her write to us when she wakes up. I am sure all of us will be quite eager for an invitation back to Pemberton Manor. But I am afraid we must make our exit now.” She curtsied one last time before sweeping out of the room.
Evan watched her leave with disbelief and anger.
Amelia took a deep breath, clearly getting a handle on her own temper for the sake of propriety. She gave a strained smile to Evan. “Please, Your Grace, let Marina know that we are anxious for her recovery and that we wish her well. All of us will be writing letters to her as soon as we are able.”
He nodded. “Of course, my lady.”
The eldest Miss Shirley curtsied before gesturing to her sisters in the adjoining room. All of them filed out, curtsying to Evan and muttering complaints about not being able to properly say goodbye to Marina.
One of the twins cast a concerned glance at Marina before looking at Evan sternly. “If you let my sister die, then I will talk to her ghost and personally ensure that she haunts you for eternity.”
Amelia’s head whipped back, and her expression was one of disbelief and horror. “Olivia!”
“What? He would deserve to be haunted.” The girl flounced out of the room without another glance at Evan. The duke stared after the sisters with bewilderment and a hint of amusement.
At least her sisters care about her, even if her parents seem incapable of such a thing.
After they left, Evan was alone with Marina.
His wife. He approached her slowly, as if she were a cornered animal instead of a sleeping woman.
She whimpered softly and turned over onto her side in her sleep.
A strand of hair fell into her face. “You will be all right,” he murmured to her sleeping form.
“You are under my protection now.” He brushed the hair out of her face gently, tucking it behind her ear.
What the bloody hell are you doing, Evan? You cannot afford to get sentimental over her. Emotions will only cloud your judgement.
He cleared his throat and stepped away from the bed before turning away and quickly leaving the room. He found Marina’s personal maid and told her to look after his bride before he went to check on his daughter.