Fifteen
When Evangeline asked about Sir Jonathan’s absence at the breakfast table the next morning, Lord Dominic grunted, not bothering to look up from his plate.
“Was that Greek?” she asked with a bit of cheek. “If you would translate, please.”
He lowered his fork and stared a moment. “He stepped out,” he said curtly.
“Very helpful, thank you.”
Truly, the man was a bear in a cravat. Any attempt to engage him in conversation always ended with a growl or grunt.
She directed her attention to her brother-in-law, determined not to interrupt his lordship’s brooding again.
“Should we have a meal sent to the room for Regina?” she asked. “It doesn’t appear she will join us.”
“I will retrieve something once she is awake.”
It wasn’t like her sister to still be in bed. Regina had always risen early to practice Wing Chun, but not since arriving in Athens. She scrutinized Xavier’s face, searching for signs of worry. He met her gaze and smiled.
“Are you certain we shouldn’t send for Dr. Li again?” she asked.
“Oui, your sister is following doctor’s orders. He prescribed rest and she rests.”
“I suppose.” She nibbled her bottom lip.
“I promise, Regina is well. I would knock down the doctor’s door if I were concerned.” Xavier nodded toward her barely touched plate. “You should eat before Sir Jonathan comes to collect you. Where are you going today?”
“Lycabettus Hill. It overlooks the city.”
“It’s a climb,” Lord Dominic said between sips of tea. “Eat.”
She scowled. His advice was sound, but his delivery was lacking. She finished her meal and returned to her chambers, grateful to be free of his company.
Regina was up briefly to eat in the sitting room before returning to bed.
“It appears we won’t be venturing out today,” Xavier said after Regina was settled. “If you need me before you leave, I’ll be in Lord Dominic’s library.”
“Thank you, but I won’t need anything.”
Evangeline gathered her supplies and waited in the sitting room for Jonathan to return. By midday, she was growing antsy. She checked the mantel clock before turning back to the window, frowning at the empty courtyard.
“It is two o’clock,” she grumbled. “Where is he?”
“Evangeline?”
She jumped at the unexpected sound and spun away from the window as if Xavier had caught her doing something nefarious.
A corner of his mouth pulled down in a show of sympathy. “Perhaps an urgent matter has called Sir Jonathan away.”
“Of course, I’m sure you are right.”
She forced a bright smile, not wanting Xavier to see her disappointment. He was willing to do anything to keep his bride happy, which meant catering to Evangeline more often than not. She tried very hard not to need anything for fear of ruining his and Regina’s honeymoon.
“It doesn’t matter if Sir Jonathan is late,” she said breezily. “I have more work to do on my sketches.”
She started for her bedchamber, eager to leave before her true feelings played across her face. Xavier asked her to wait. “I wonder if you would do me a favor first.”
She paused, took a cleansing breath, and turned toward him. “Anything. How might I be of assistance?”
His brow furrowed as he glanced toward the room he shared with Regina. “I have an appointment with Madame Lussier, the late French ambassador’s widow. Will you look in on your sister while I’m away?”
“Yes, of course. Is it about Uncle Charles?”
Xavier nodded. “I was told nothing escapes Madame Lussier’s notice.”
“I hope she can point toward his whereabouts, but I have my doubts.”
Whatever Uncle Charles had discovered about the Black Death, he had gone to great lengths to keep it quiet. No matter how many times she studied his journal, she couldn’t make sense of his entries.
“Regina is queasy,” Xavier said. “I hate to leave her alone.”
“I promise to watch over her. And thank you for looking for Uncle Charles. I know you would rather we were sailing home now.”
“We traveled all this distance. It’s only logical to attempt to find him before we go.” He grabbed his hat on his way to the door. “I will provide a full report when I return.”
As soon as Xavier left, Evangeline rushed to her sister’s bedchamber. The door was ajar. A retching noise came from inside. She barreled into the room and found an empty bed. “Regina?”
Gagging came from behind the dressing screen.
“Regina, do you need help?”
Evangeline’s sister was on her knees, bent over an empty chamber pot. Regina looked up with watery eyes. “Dry heaves.” Her face was too pale, her skin clammy. “It has stopped, I think.”
Evangeline hooked her sister under the arms to haul her to her feet. “Let’s get you into bed.”
Regina’s strength was sapped; she leaned on Evangeline and offered no complaints about being treated as if she were helpless. Once Regina was tucked into bed, Evangeline laid her hand on her sister’s forehead.
“You aren’t feverish, but Dr. Li should examine you again. I will send for him.”
Regina caught her wrist. “I don't need a doctor.”
“You do. You’ve been under the weather for too long. I am afraid you’ve caught a sickness from the locals.”
“I’m not ill.” When Evangeline glowered, Regina chuckled and released her arm. “Well, I feel horrible, but it is bearable and won’t last forever.”
Evangeline loomed over her sister with her fists on her hips. “You are as stubborn as Aunt Beatrice, but you will be reexamined. I want Dr. Li to give you a proper diagnosis this time.”
“He did.”
Regina’s admission lodged a shard of terror into Evangeline’s heart.
“What have you been hiding? What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing. I promise.”
When Evangeline narrowed her eyes, her sister giggled. Her giddiness barely registered before she blurted, “I am with child. Everything is right with me, the world, my life. Xavier and I couldn’t be happier.”
Evangeline gaped, gobsmacked. Her legs trembled as relief rushed through her; she shot her hand toward the bedside table and gripped the edge to steady her balance.
Regina reached for her. “I suspected I might be pregnant, but I wanted to be sure first. Then I promised you two more weeks, and I didn’t want you to insist we leave earlier.”
When Evangeline didn’t respond, her sister patted the counterpane. “Will you sit before you faint? I’m not sure I have the strength to lift you from the floor right now.”
Evangeline plopped onto the side of the mattress. Her sister would be a mother. How hadn’t the possibility crossed her mind?
“How long?”
“Dr. Li estimates I am close to eight weeks along,” Regina said. “Xavier is eager to return home so I can be close to our family doctor and Auntie.”
“You will be a wonderful mother,” she murmured. “I mean it sincerely. You have always taken great care of Sophia and me.”
“I’m not much help to anyone now. I hope you will forgive me.” Regina cupped Evangeline’s hand between her own, her eyes pleading. Was she seeking absolution for loving her husband and starting a family? It was too much, this sense of responsibility her sister carried.
“You have your hands full at the moment,” Evangeline said, “and everyone can take care of themselves.”
“I know, but you were counting on joining Uncle Charles and—”
“Stop. It is my turn to take care of you, and you have been sick, even if it isn’t with a mysterious illness.”
“A silver lining to be sure.” Regina smiled weakly and closed her eyes, dissolving against the pillow. “Ludwig! This nausea comes from nowhere.”
“You rest while I speak with Lord Dominic’s cook. I will have her make a restorative broth.”
Regina opened one eye to peek at her. “The kind Joy makes?”
Joy, their loyal lady’s maid back home, had a gift for healing. Fortunately, Evangeline’s curiosity had driven her to the kitchen on several occasions to watch Joy work her magic.
“If that is your wish,” Evangeline said, “but it won’t be ready until tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t turn down a broth.”
“If I didn’t know better, Gigi, I might think you are actually allowing me to care for you.”
“Now you know how miserable I feel. Did you cancel your outing with Sir Jonathan?”
“He must have been called away. It’s for the best. You need me.”
“I do not,” Regina grumbled playfully. “But since you are insisting…”
“I am.” Evangeline bent forward to place a quick peck on her sister’s cheek. “Rest. If I catch you out of this bed, we are sparring, and you won’t win this time.”
Regina rolled her eyes. They both knew Evangeline was bluffing, but her sister didn’t kick up a fuss.
A trip to the kitchen, a smaller building at the back of the courtyard, confirmed what Evangeline expected. She needed to visit the market for ingredients.
She turned to the English butler who had come along to translate. “May I ask Leda to accompany me? I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”
Mr. Wilcox relayed her request.
“Mrs. Georgiou says it is not an inconvenience, miss.” He pronounced her name the proper Greek way—yor-YEE-oo. “Do you require further assistance?”
“No, Mr. Wilcox. Thank you.”
The cook rattled off an order to a small boy that Evangeline suspected was her son.
In the early morning, when the household was quiet, she would often make her way to the kitchen to request tea and Taavetti was always underfoot.
The dark-haired cherub stopped in front of Evangeline, tugged her skirts, and gazed up at her with wide ebony eyes.
“Karaméla?”
Evangeline laughed as she pulled a tin of lemon barley sugar candies from her pocket and held it out to him.
The first time she visited the kitchen, his mother had granted her permission to offer him one of the hard candies Evangeline had brought from home.
Now she didn’t dare show up without a sweet treat for the little boy.
“This is extortion, Taavetti.”
He nodded and said yes with a cheeky grin that made her wonder if he understood more English than she thought. After returning the tin, he popped the candy in his mouth and skipped out the door.
His mother barked at him, and he slowed his step. She slanted a smile at Evangeline, returning to scaling a large sea bass.