23. Chapter 23
It was almost eleven when Andrew dressed and headed downstairs to have some breakfast. He was not looking forward to having to face his family and lie about what was happening. When he entered the room, his mother and sister were both still at the table, eating.
“Good morning, Mother, Caroline. Late night last night?” He went to the sideboard, happy to find breakfast hot despite the late hour of the morning.
“Yes, Almack’s is unbearably tedious. But Miss Whittingham’s presentation went off beautifully, so it was well worth it,” Caroline replied.
“Indeed, I know of several gentlemen interested in her despite her lack of dowry. She is making quite a splash,” his mother agreed.
Andrew ate like a starving man. Then it occurred to him Emma hadn’t eaten either.
Even though he left her sleeping, she would most likely be hungry when she woke.
She still looked deathly pale this morning.
He would have the kitchen send up something hearty, maybe eggs and ham.
He wondered what she liked for breakfast.
“Andrew, hello in there.” Caroline playfully poked him with her fork.
“What? Oh, sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Yes, I gathered that. My question was, will you be escorting me to the ball tomorrow evening?” Caroline asked.
“Oh, I cannot. Unfortunately, I have been called to Stoneleigh. I will be leaving first thing in the morning.”
“Does this sudden departure have anything to do with the letter I received not an hour ago?” his mother inquired. “Miss Emma Whittingham has been called away to help nurse an ailing family friend, a friend of her mother’s in Kent.” She arched an eyebrow in question.
“In Kent? I did not know.” Andrew shoveled more eggs into his mouth, trying to look blasé.
“Yes, she has asked if I would keep an eye on Lucy for her for the next couple of weeks.”
“And will you?” Andrew asked.
“Of course. She can accompany Caroline and me out to events.” She sent him a pointed look over the rim of her tea cup. “I am very fond of both the Whittingham ladies.”
Andrew returned her smile, then got up and bussed his mother’s cheek. “Thank you. I will see you both in a fortnight.” He gave a small bow and left to go find Winston.
When Andrew entered the upstairs hallway, he ran into Jack and Vivian. “Good, we were just coming to find you, Andrew,” Vivian said.
“What do you need?” He glanced at the door to his suite. Was Emma awake?
“We wanted to tell you we discussed the matter, and we are coming with you to Stoneleigh,” Jack replied.
“What? That’s not necessary.”
“Yes, it is, Andrew,” Vivian replied. “Even I know you cannot abscond with an unmarried young lady without causing damage to her reputation. We will accompany you as chaperones. She can be my guest. That way, the staff at Stoneleigh will have no need for gossip.”
Andrew crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t care what the staff thinks. I am taking her out of London so I can take care of her without prying eyes.”
“And if you convince her to marry you? Don’t you think she will care what her staff thinks of her?
And what if you get visitors coming by while you are there?
No, we are coming with you.” Vivian looked over her shoulder at her husband for confirmation.
Jack nodded his head. But when Vivian turned back to face Andrew, Jack gave him a shrug and a look which said, “Sorry, this was her idea.”
“Very well. You two will have to take your own carriage. I promised Emma she could bring her behemoth of a dog. There will not be enough room for four of us and the dog. Vivian, have your maid ride with Winston and the luggage. I am sending him ahead this afternoon to make preparations.”
Vivian clapped her hands together. “Excellent. I will let Molly know and write a note to Gabrielle and talk with Caroline.” Vivian wandered down the hallway, muttering to herself.
“How is she feeling this morning?” Jack asked, his expression grim.
“Not great, I think. I left her sleeping.” Andrew took a key out of his pocket to unlock the door to his suite, his mind already on Emma.
“All right, we will meet up tomorrow morning and see about getting your girl safely whisked out to the carriage without anyone noticing.” Jack gave him a pat on the shoulder and headed down the hallway.
Emma spent most of the day asleep. She’d groggily woken twice, but the pain burning in her arm quickly made her decide sleep was the better option. She smelled Andrew’s spicy scent and knew he was nearby. Comforted by his presence, she slid back into slumber.
When she fully awakened, the late afternoon sun streamed through the windows.
Emma blinked against its glare as she glanced around the room.
She was alone. Feeling well rested, she stretched her legs and used her good arm to prop herself up.
Yes, despite the pain in her arm, she definitely felt better.
She would get up and dressed. Then she could go home and get away from one very overbearing duke.
Emma swung her legs around and paused a moment at the edge of the bed.
Her head was a bit fuzzy, but that was probably due to the aftereffects of the laudanum.
Her right arm ached, so she used her left arm to push off the bed to stand.
She made it only two steps before she felt faint.
Her legs gave out, and she crumpled to the floor, landing with a thump on her backside.
Pain radiated into her arm and shoulder.
She pulled in a long breath through her nose, waiting for the wave of agony to subside.
Perhaps she’d overestimated the extent of her recovery.
Leaning back against the side of the bed, she closed her eyes, and a giggle escaped her lips.
What a ridiculous sight she must make, sitting on the floor, her nightshirt a white puddle around her, wearing a pair of fuzzy socks.
She wiggled her toes in the oversized socks and giggled again.
She must have hit her head last night as well, because really, there was nothing remotely funny about the practical gray socks.
“Emma!” Andrew entered the room. He hurried over to her. She looked up at him, and her laughter abruptly fled. His face revealed a mixture of worry and anger, his eyes a stormy deep blue.
She tilted her head to one side. “I thought I felt better, but when I stood up, I realized I am weak as a kitten.”
Andrew scooped her up so carefully, as though she was a kitten. She turned to bury her face in the crook of his neck, drinking in his scent and his warmth. He sighed, and his lips brushed against her brow.
“Stubborn fool. You lost a lot of blood. Of course you’re weak.” He set her on the bed, propping some pillows behind her carefully.
“What time is it?” Emma asked.
“Half four. Are you hungry? I have a tray for you out in the sitting room. You’ve been asleep all day.”
At the mention of food, Emma realized she was starving. “Yes, very hungry, in fact.”
Andrew left the room for a moment to retrieve the tray. Emma used her good hand to run her fingers through her hair. She made it only a few inches before getting caught in a tangle. What a fright she must look.
He returned, setting the tray to her left on the bed. He picked up a bowl of what smelled like beef stew and a spoon. Emma took the spoon from him, and he held the bowl up for her to scoop a bite. Using her left hand felt awkward, and most of the stew slipped off her spoon.
Andrew didn’t say anything. He took the spoon and, scooping a small measure of stew, offered it to her.
Emma pursed her lips in displeasure at the idea of being fed, but he simply raised one eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes and obediently opened her mouth to take the spoonful.
It tasted even better than it smelled. She ceased feeling foolish and let him feed her.
“Mr. Davis was here earlier to check your arm but didn’t want to wake you.
He said to make sure to feed you lots of red meat to help your body recover from the blood loss, and you need lots of rest. Your shoulder will probably be inflamed for four or five days.
He said you should keep it immobile. The stitches can be removed in two weeks as long as the area does not get infected,” he told her while feeding her mouthfuls of lukewarm stew.
After she’d eaten the entire bowl, Andrew set it down and handed her a piece of bread he had slathered with butter.
“We will leave for Stoneleigh at first light. My brother and his wife will accompany us to help keep your reputation intact. You will be Vivian’s guest, recovering from an illness in the fresh country air. ”
Emma took a bite of the bread, feeling a little better about being kidnapped. At least she wouldn’t be totally alone at the duke’s mercy.
Andrew caught and held her gaze. “Are you ready to tell me to whom the necklace belongs? I will need to arrange to have it returned, discreetly of course, before this evening.” His expression stern, he waited for her to answer.
Emma knew it would be foolish to withhold the information. He offered an opportunity to put last night’s debacle behind her. If the necklace was returned, there would be no reason for anyone to continue to search for the thief. It still stung though.
“Miss Esmeralda Hunt. Stanhope Place. Number 7.” She bit viciously into her piece of bread. Then, looking up through her lashes at Andrew, she asked, “Could I see it one more time?”
Andrew frowned, but he walked over to a tall wooden bureau, opened a drawer, and pulled out the necklace.
He handed it to Emma. She held it up to admire the many strands of diamonds.
Five in all, each a neat row of small sparkles.
The first row would wind around the lady’s throat like a gleaming cuff, the rest cascading down the throat and collarbone. Emma sighed in feminine appreciation.
“It is beautiful and extravagant,” Andrew noted.