A January for Jane by Elizabeth Ann West

Author:Elizabeth Ann West [West, Elizabeth Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781944345075
Publisher: Elizabeth Ann West

Chapter Nine

The night proved to be the gravest trial Jane Bennet had ever faced in her three and twenty years. Hours after the first confrontation, they had to untie the Duchess so she might retch into the chamber pot, and when dawn broke, they called for a complete change of linens. Ridding her body of the laudanum’s hold caused the grand lady of Gododdin Castle to lose her faculties much like a babe in the cradle.

Six hours after the sun’s rising, Mrs. Buchanan and Jane held reason to hope.

“May I have a tray of toast and tea?”

The simple request for food brought a wash of relief causing Jane to cry out in joy.

“Yes, milady, we shall see to the tray right away!” Mrs. Buchanan rose and bustled out of the room now serenely awash in the midday’s brightness, the night’s dark hours long in the past.

“How do you feel?” Jane asked tentatively, looking for signs of recovery in the Duchess’ face. Her pupils were no longer large and unresponsive. The spark of personality appeared and no longer were the woman’s cheeks slack from the drug’s hold.

“Forgive me, I have forgotten myself. How are you feeling this morning, Your Grace?” Jane tried once more realizing that the woman may not remember much of the night before, nor maybe anything from when she was under the influence of the strong opiate. A woman of Aileena Hamilton’s rank would naturally ignore any untoward references to her person without additional thought from years of training to do exactly that. But still, despite Jane offering Graham’s mother her due, the Duchess refused to acknowledge Jane’s presence.

“Duchess, can you hear me?” Jane began to fret, perhaps there was permanent damage as the woman continued to ignore Jane’s questions. Deciding two could play this game, Jane began to tell the woman all that had occurred. Perhaps she was too proud to admit a loss of memory.

“If you do not remember—”

“I remember quite clearly that you are the woman who denied me my comforts when I needed them most. And I shall never forgive your cruelty for as long as I shall live.”

Jane sucked in her breath as a tray arrived with Mrs. Buchanan’s bubbly personality. The housekeeper tittered away how the Duchess’ maid was sent for and should arrive soon as she busied herself with opening the drapes wider. Duchess Hamilton shielded her eyes at the sharpness of the additional sunlight and Jane felt a lump in her throat begin to form.

Perhaps she had gone too far inflicting her wishes upon another, but the woman was well. She had arrived unwell and Jane had made her well. Surely Graham would see the kindness she had offered.

“I shall see to Robin and my own toilette, Mrs. Buchanan. Once Her Grace is comfortable, please make sure you see to your own needs. We had a very long night.” Jane glared at the Duchess to see if she even so much as acknowledged the sacrifice made on her behalf, but the woman sat up in the bed with nerves of cold steel.

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