His Perfect Bride by Jenn Langston

Author:Jenn Langston [Langston, Jenn]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781619352469
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Published: 2013-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

The room was spinning and the pain unbearable. Jumping out of bed, Brianna ran to the chamber pot, almost knocking over the dressing screen in her haste. After the spasms subsided, she dragged herself back to the bedside table to wash her mouth out and splash cool water on her face.

Lying on the bed, she waited a moment longer to ensure she would not have another spell. Over the past several days, she noticed the nausea didn’t last much past the morning, so no one learned of her affliction. Hearing the knock at the door had her on her feet and smiling, not wishing the visitor to see anything amiss. She nearly collapsed in relief to see her maid, Martha.

“Are you still feeling unwell, Miss?” Martha asked.

“I’m much better today.” Brianna hoped Martha would not dwell on the subject. “I would like to wear the blue gown today. Lord Stonemede has requested a ride through Hyde Park this morning, and I wish to look my best.”

When the request came the previous day, it was met with exaltations from her mother, but Brianna found herself less than thrilled. Since he’d gone through extra trouble to ensure she could not decline, the one thing she looked forward to was expressing her displeasure to him.

“Are you sure that is a good idea? I still think you should tell someone about your illness.”

“It’s not necessary. With the exception of a few uncomfortable mornings, I feel perfectly fit. Regardless, I can’t imagine this will last long.”

Martha pressed her lips firmly together, and didn’t utter another word the entire time she helped Brianna prepare for the day. Secretly Brianna agreed with Martha’s assessment, for something was not right. However, the Season was coming to an end, and she refused to lose any time confined to a sickbed.

Once downstairs, Brianna opted to skip breakfast and instead took her needlework to the drawing room to wait for Richard’s arrival. Normally she used her excess time to paint, but the sickness made it difficult for her to lose herself within her work.

The drawing room was not vacant as she hoped, but Brianna was pleased to see Ashley was the only occupant. Each morning after breakfast, Ashley and Grace continued with their needlework lessons, but normally the instruction took place in the classroom. The change in tradition was unusual, but Brianna imagined it was due to Elizabeth’s presence.

Since their return from Ransley, Brianna had been excused from joining in on the Ashley’s lessons. After what her mother deemed as progress with the marquis, her mother’s attitude changed, and she treated Brianna differently.

“Good morning, Ashley. Do you mind if I join you?”

“Not at all.” Ashley raised her head from her sewing with a smile, but it quickly faded and her eyes widened. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Brianna quietly took a seat, hoping it would help ease her rolling stomach. “I was restless last night and didn’t get as much sleep as I would have preferred.”

“Perhaps you should have stayed abed this morning.

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