Chapter Six #2
Her pretty blue eyes lit at his response. “Yes, exactly. Like an elephant. One of my brothers used to tease me and call me Ellie the elephant, but it was all in fun. Do you think you can do that?”
“Call you an elephant? I think not. But I will endeavor to remember you’re Ellie.
” Her request made him feel as if they had a special relationship, beyond the obvious.
Dinah had been called Dee by her sisters, but had never mentioned it to him.
And, of course, after her discovery, they were nothing but formal.
Ellie, as he would attempt to think of her, let go of his hand, patting his forearm once again. “Excellent. Then let me tell you about our Christmastide for Hawthorne Park.”
As his wife launched into her plans in between bites of her meal, she grew more animated. Her eyes almost sparkled with glee as she gestured here and there, sending one poor kipper off her fork and onto the floor. He tried not to watch the footman discreetly pick it up.
She was the complete opposite of Dinah, loud where his deceased wife was quiet, animated where Dinah had an economy of movement to the point of being able to sit for hours barely moving.
Even Ellie’s dress stood out for its brightness, while Dinah had worn very light pastels.
Hope grew inside him that, perhaps, with his first marriage being such a failure, this one could be a success.
“—hope you will allow the children to participate in the stir-up. I want them to be able to participate in almost every part of the season.”
The mention of the stir-up filled him with memories. “Of course the children must take part. I, myself, as the eldest, was the first child to stir the Christmas pudding. Lady Margaret should enjoy that honor.”
“You mean Maggie, I’m sure.” She gave him a knowing smile.
In turn, he nodded in acknowledgment of her request to be less formal. “Yes, Maggie and, though he is yet small, Peter. It seems like such a small affair with only two children to take part. I do hope we can expand upon them with children of our own.”
This time when her cheeks heated, it didn’t cover her entire face, neck, and chest as it had earlier.
Instead, it made her glow quite becomingly.
“Darius, I would love nothing more than to be a mother to more children.” Her gaze turned sly as one side of her mouth lifted. “I think at least a dozen, don’t you?”
Startled, he pulled his head back and cocked it as he searched for an appropriate response.
Her laughter filled the room once again. “I’m only jesting. I would be grateful to be blessed with any children.” She moved her hand to her chest once more, her strong feelings on the matter very clear.
Her happy demeanor called to him like a lost horse to his warm stall, and he found himself not simply curious about her, but attracted to her as well. “Then, my fine lady, I shall be sure to visit you tonight so that we may begin our expanding family.”
For the first time since he’d met her, she didn’t look at him directly. “I will be honored.”
With her ready candor, he’d almost forgotten that she was a virgin and he needed to be careful. He also needed to make haste. Perhaps a day spent in her company would make the evening easier. Surprisingly, he found her company quite pleasant.
He set down his fork and used his fingers to turn her head toward him. “Ellie, I am very content to have you as my wife.”
Her eyes grew wide and her lips lifted in a soft, tremulous smile.
It was the uncertainty in her face that must have had him leaning forward and brushing a soft kiss against her lips.
Though the second kiss was because one touch was not enough.
Her lips opened under his, and he forced himself not to deepen the kiss, despite a rising need to.
Not wishing to frighten her, he pulled back, stroking her cheek with his thumb before releasing her.
Her eyes remained closed, her whole body leaning toward him though he sat back in his chair.
“Ellie?” He kept his voice low.
Her eyes fluttered open. “Yes?”
It was the quietest word he’d heard her speak yet. “Would you like to accompany me in visiting the tenants today? If you’re planning Christmastide festivities, they will need to be involved.”
She gave herself a quick shake then sat back in her chair. “I would enjoy that. I’m sure the children won’t mind one day without me, especially since we will be going into the garden tonight.”
“One day? You have spent part of every day with them?”
She nodded as she waved a footman over to pour her more cocoa.
“Indeed I have, and many times I’ve spent the entire day.
I do think I’m wearing down Peter. He was determined not to like me as his new mother, but I believe he’s growing fond of me, despite his own wishes.
” She chuckled as she brushed back a stray piece of fiery red hair.
Suddenly, Mrs. Torbett’s focus on Eleanor’s—Ellie’s hair color had his thoughts wandering.
Would her passion be just as fiery once he’d taught her the joys of the marriage bed?
Even at the thought, he found his gaze dipping to her neckline, where her over-bountiful breasts pushed hard against her dress.
His own desire started in his groin, and he shifted his seat, trying to remember what they spoke of.
“Peter should not make you feel unwanted.”
She waved away his comment. “He doesn’t. I’m pleased that he is reluctant to accept me as his new mother. It shows a depth of feeling and loyalty, both of which you can be proud of. In fact, I think a day away from me may help him realize that he actually likes me.”
He stared at her as she took another sip of cocoa, both admiration and dread tumbling in his stomach.
He’d expected her to be intelligent, as his brother’s wife was, and they came from the same school, but he hadn’t expected such depth of thought.
He would need to be careful the next time he must leave.
At least for his children, though, he could rest assured they would be looked after. No—rather, they would be loved.
“So tell me, Darius. Who will we visit first? Is there an order you plan on? We will need to visit your neighbors as well, but you are right that I should meet our tenants first. I think—”
“Excuse me, my lord.”
Beacham strode in much faster than normal, which immediately had Darius tensing. “What is it, Beacham?”
“I have just been informed that Peter has taken ill.”
“Oh dear.” Ellie rose immediately. “I must see him.”
Darius stood as well. “We will go to him at once.”
Beacham stepped aside quickly to avoid being knocked over by Ellie, who was already in the parlor.
“Thank you, Beacham. Come with us, as we may need to send for a doctor.” Darius followed after his wife, any doubts as to his children’s welfare fully removed by her reaction.
He sincerely hoped it was just something Peter had eaten.
If he had taken a chill, it could greatly affect his constitution.
When he reached the nursery, the door was open and his wife sat upon Peter’s bed, her hand moving from his head to his stomach.
“Is this where it hurts?”
His son’s face, so pale, scrunched up as he nodded, and Darius halted as fear rifled through him.
The nursemaid ran over to him. “My lord, I’m so glad you’re home. I believe Peter caught a chill when he went on the outing with Maggie and Lady Ferncroft. I don’t know what to do.”
He moved his gaze to the nursemaid, who clenched her hands together, clearly concerned. “We will be sure he gets better. Do not worry.” He started past her, worrying enough for them all.
As he reached the bed, he stood behind Ellie, the nursemaid’s words finally sinking in. He’d caught a chill under Ellie’s care. Tamping down his anger, he addressed his wife. “Is it a chill?”
She shook her head. “No. If he’d taken a chill, he would have been ill days ago.”
The nursemaid ran over, avoiding the vomit on the other side of the bed. “But I saw him shiver.”
Ellie shook her head. “A shiver is not always due to the cold. If the body is heated or in a weakened state, a shiver can be caused by the trauma associated with it.”
“How do you know this?” He couldn’t help the doubt in his voice.
His wife looked up at him over her shoulder. “Because the Duchess of Northwick is learned in the medical arts and made sure we all knew the basics.”
He studied his son. “This doesn’t look basic to me.”
She waved off his comment and returned her attention to Peter. “When did you start feeling sick?”
“My belly ached when I woke.”
“And did you have more than two sugared plums before you fell asleep last night?”
Peter groaned and turned his head to the side, causing Darius’s own stomach to feel uncomfortable.
Maggie spoke from behind them. “He had eight.”
“Oh dear.” Ellie brushed Peter’s wet hair from his forehead. “Your poor belly.” She looked to the nursemaid. “Did you give him ginger or peppermint?”
The nursemaid shook her head. “No, my lady. I gave him ipecac sherry. That’s what my mother always gave us.”
Darius wasn’t touching his wife, but he sensed her tension. “And did you always vomit after taking that?”
“Yes, we did. It gets the bad humors out of our body.” Anna nodded enthusiastically.
He found it odd that his wife didn’t respond. Somehow, he knew she didn’t approve. “We should send for a doctor.”
“No!” Eleanor rose at that and faced him. “Do not send for a doctor. He will only bleed Peter and make him weaker. What he needs is to have a clean bed and some ginger tea to settle his belly.” She stepped around him. “Maggie, would you allow Peter to rest in your bed while his is changed?”
“Yes. I just want him to get better.”
For the first time since entering the room, his wife smiled. “Don’t worry. Peter is going to be fine.”
She sounded so sure that he found some of his own worry dissipating. “What do we need to do?”