Chapter 21
31 st July 1815
“Georgiana,” whispered a feminine voice.
She lifted her hand and pressed it against her forehead. “What time is it?”
“’Tis one o’clock. Why do you not take a nap while Lord Bath’s valet tends to him?”
She blinked until the blurring lifted from her eyes and Lizzy’s features sharpened. “Lizzy, I am happy you are here.” Had she slept so soundly she had missed the sounds of a carriage arriving? Charles’s chamber looked out over the front of the property and allowed for one to see those who came and went with ease, yet she had not awakened until now.
“I have missed you, and so have the children. Alexander will not like leaving his Auntie G behind once you wed.”
Georgiana dragged herself up and wiped the vestiges of sleep from her eyes. “They are such dear, sweet children. I have missed them and you as well…” She paused and swayed on her feet. Before she could move, Jennings ran forward with a chamber pot that he thrust in front of her just in time to catch the contents of her stomach.
Lizzy wrapped an arm around her and rubbed her back until the sickness abated.
“When did you arrive?” said Georgiana as she took the glass of wine Jennings held out to her and rinsed her mouth.
“But an hour ago. The children are sleeping in the nursery, Richard is resting as well, and I have refreshed myself. Fitzwilliam mentioned that since the accident you have not left Lord Bath except to refresh yourself. You cannot sleep well in that chair, and you must rest if you are to be of aid to him. Pray, take to your bed. One of us can wake you if he takes a turn. You are obviously making yourself ill.”
After spitting the second rinse of her mouth with wine into the chamber pot, she straightened. “I believe it is simply my nerves. I wish nothing more than for Charles to improve.” The night before, they had given Charles a tonic for his cough, which did seem to help through the night, although he was now somewhat flushed.
“He was warm three days ago, but it turned out he was not feverish.” She pressed her cheek to his forehead. Her palm had always been unreliable for detecting the warmth of someone’s face, and this was her best method for determining if he had a fever. “He is indeed hot today.”
She hastened to bring the basin to the bedside table and began to sponge his face, much as she had done before.
“Georgiana—"
Her betrothed flinched and groaned as he opened his eyes. “ ’Tis like ice .”
“You are burning up. You should drink some. I am sure it will do you good.” She motioned to the maid who sat in the corner to ring the bell and lifted a cup of cooled tea to his lips.
He grimaced. “ I have never liked cold tea. Vile stuff .” He spoke with his voice as he had been doing since injuring his shoulder. The tone was off, and it was scratchy. She had first attributed it to him just waking, but even with the sips of tea, the hoarseness was not abating.
The bedchamber door creaked open, and soon, Henry stood at the foot of the bed. “Brother, it is good to see your eyes open.”
“ I feel like the devil ,” said Charles.
Lizzy’s hand settled on Georgiana’s shoulder.
“Well, I hope you do not mind remaining with us for a short time. I have Mr. Crowley in your sitting room.”
“ The rector who has the living in Bathwick village? ”
“He is here to marry you and Miss Darcy.”
Charles’s eyebrows drew down. “ We have but a common license. ”
“A special license arrived from the archbishop yesterday.” Butterflies took flight high in Georgiana’s stomach. She had not thought this would all be sorted so soon. How much had they told Lizzy? “Miss Darcy has refused to leave your side since the accident, and even if Darcy had not insisted this be done sooner rather than later, I would have done so. As it is, I lied to the apothecary and told him the two of you were already wed.”
“ She deserves better .” Charles dissolved into a fit of coughs.
“I am sitting here if you do not remember.”
Jennings entered and immediately went to his master to do what he could.
“But I have no objections to marrying today if all of you insist,” she said when Charles’s coughs ended. “I do not require a new gown or an expensive breakfast. I only wish to be his wife.”
“Come, Georgiana,” said Lizzy. “Let us get your hair put to rights and tidy your appearance. We do not want to shock a man of the cloth, do we?”
Georgie stood and smoothed her morning gown. Was she truly so dishevelled? Yes, she had slept in the chair beside the bed with her head upon the mattress, so it was possible she was not fit to be seen. She glanced back at Charles.
“ I shall be well enough,” he said aloud before he doubled over with another round of coughing.
Jennings waved her off. “I shall tend to him. Do what you must.”
The last thing she wished to do was leave him, yet if they were to be wed…Without a word, Lizzy followed Georgiana to her chambers where Ambrose was pressing a gown.
“I took the liberty of having your maid prepare this for you. We brought another trunk with us and will send anything you lack when we return to Pemberley.”
With a gentle touch, Georgiana caressed the pink silk she had ordered before Fitzwilliam and Lizzy had departed town. Lizzy had insisted upon the confection, while Georgiana had argued that she would have no need of such finery. The uneven rosettes on the arms were paired with an edging of expensive lace that trimmed the cross-front and down the side of the gown until it wrapped around the hem.
Her maid set aside the iron as she removed the gown from the table and hung it. “Mrs. Grant indicated a couple of maids will assist in moving your belongings to the mistress’s chamber, so you will be closer to the master from tonight on. I am certain that will be a relief. I know you do not like to leave him. The housekeeper also mentioned the rooms can be decorated to your liking if you do not care for them.”
“Thank you.”
Lizzy stepped closer and looked at Ambrose. “Will you leave us for a moment? I should like to speak to Georgiana alone.”
After her maid curtseyed and disappeared into the dressing room, Lizzy stepped forward and took her hands. “You do understand why this must occur today, do you not?”
“Of course, I have been caring for Charles day and night. If rumour were to get out, my reputation would be in question.”
“’Tis not just that,” said Lizzy. “Jane told me that before the accident, the duke was walking with Clarissa during the night. While passing the door to his brother’s bedchamber, he heard noises.”
Georgiana’s cheeks burned. No, Fitzwilliam had not told Lizzy, but Jane had. “Pray, do not say it. I confess I eavesdropped on a conversation between Henry and Fitzwilliam after his arrival. I had hoped my brother had not told you.”
“He may not want to speak of it. I am certain he may tell me some version of events when we have the opportunity to talk. Even if you had not anticipated your vows with Lord Bath, your remaining in the gentleman’s rooms during his convalescence would be enough for Fitzwilliam to agree to an immediate wedding.” Lizzy pressed her lips together for a moment and wrung her hands. “Georgiana, do you know the signs of being with child?”
“I remember you were quite fatigued at first.”
“I was, but there are other signs: nausea, becoming sick, particularly on an empty stomach, and sore breasts. You cast up your accounts this morning.”
Georgiana scraped her lip with her teeth. “I have been ill a couple of times in the last week and my breasts are sore.”
“And any fatigue you would attribute to the situation, so you are likely feeling that one as well. Which is all the more reason for you to be wed as soon as may be. Let me call for Ambrose to return. We need to get you dressed.”
Before Lizzy could turn, Georgiana placed a hand on her sister’s forearm. “Pray know that I do not regret one moment of the time we spent together. This courtship has been far from the usual in many ways. Charles lost so much of his confidence when his hearing was taken from him. He has feared being unable to protect a wife and family, yet he finally gave in to his affection for me when he proposed, so at least now, we will be wed and that is that.”
“And had the duke not arranged matters, and Lord Bath had died in that flood, if you had found yourself with child then—”
“I would not have imposed my shame upon you or the children. A small cottage where no one knew me would have been agreeable. As long as I would be able to keep my child.”
Lizzy’s lips pressed into a flat line. She was not best pleased, but she would not receive the contrition she desired. They were to finally be wed, and most of the world would not be any wiser.
“I should ask if you have any questions,” said Lizzy. “Despite how this all came to be, your brother and I wish for nothing but your happiness. I hope you know that.”
“I do. I do not believe I have any questions for you to answer, and even if I did, I am certain I could ask Charles.”
“It is good you have that sort of intimacy. Such openness will benefit your marriage a great deal.” Lizzy sighed. “We should have your maid return. We shall require her to have you changed as soon as possible.”
Ambrose was called from the dressing room, and she helped Georgiana remove her morning gown, repaired her hair, and was of aid with donning the pink gown. After, her maid tugged, tucked, and pinned to ensure the fabric hung as it should.
Upon their return to Charles’s room, the rector was present and stood with Fitzwilliam, Richard, and the duke while they talked in soft tones. Jane stood at her husband’s side. Meanwhile, Charles’s head lolled to the side. He was asleep again.
Richard approached and kissed her cheek. Her beloved cousin walked with a slight limp and had dark circles under his eyes. He appeared exhausted. Due to the travel to Bathwick, he surely had no time to recuperate fully before their departure.
“Darcy has told me some of what has occurred,” said Richard. “While I am not best pleased, I do hope he endeavours deserves you, my dear.”
“He does deserve me. I vow it.”
“He said to rouse him when you returned,” said Henry.
Georgiana hesitated. “He needs sleep.”
The duke dipped his chin down and levelled a stern look upon her. “He also wants you as his wife and understands this should happen now rather than later.”
With care, she sat on the mattress and placed her palm on Charles’s heated cheek. Her stomach clenched. He was warmer than ever, and the cough was deeper. Once this was done, they would need to send for the apothecary.
Regardless of how gentle her touch was, her betrothed startled and covered her hand with his own. He straightened and cleared his throat before nodding to Mr. Crowley, who began the ceremony. Henry stood by the clergyman and signed so Charles would understand what was happening.
When the time came for their vows, Charles recited his aloud even though he had been required to stop and gain control of his coughing before finishing.
“Do you have a ring?” asked the rector.
Jennings handed the man something that glinted in the sunlight from the window. A ring? Yes, she would have expected at some point to receive one, yet she had not expected Charles to ensure she had one now. He was too ill to worry about such triflings.
Sure enough, when the time came, he placed a ring with three bands on her finger while her eyes burned with unshed tears. No sooner had the vicar pronounced them wed, than the first droplet fell to her cheek.
“You are lovely,” signed Charles before his eyes fluttered closed.
They roused him once more to sign the register, and after she had done so as well, Mr. Crowley congratulated them and departed.
“Should you like to join us for luncheon?” asked Lizzy.
“I would like to change back into a more serviceable gown. Though pretty, I would not wish it ruined. Then, I should be by Charles’s side.”
“My lady,” said Jennings, “he would want you to spend time with your relations before they leave.”
Fitzwilliam placed a hand on her shoulder. “We shall not leave for a fortnight. As long as you are in agreement, we should like to be here should we be needed and the journey with the children is always trying.”
Lizzy laughed. “We require a respite before attempting to return.”
She glanced at her brother and his wife. “I shall join you for a short time, but I do not want to be away from Charles for long. I am certain Charles would also extend an invitation for you to remain as long as needed.” Richard hobbled towards the door. Some time before returning to Pemberley would certainly help with his recovery as well.
“We shall be of whatever aid you require until Lord Bath is well,” said Lizzy.
Jane and Henry waved them to the parlour, and all but Georgiana and Jennings departed, which gave her the opportunity to gaze upon Charles’s beloved face. He was her husband. Hopefully, he would be so for many years—if he could just endure this trial.
She placed her cheek to his and closed her eyes while she attempted to calm the unease in her gut. He would be well. She needed him to be well!
“I love you.” The words were whispered near his ear, then after kissing his temple, she hurried from the room to change.