The Nude by Dorothy McFalls

Author:Dorothy McFalls [McFalls, Dorothy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barking Dog Press
Published: 2009-04-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

The next morning Elsbeth sat up groggily in bed. Her side, stiff and angry, punished her for the movement.

“Will you be needin’ another draught o’ the laudanum?” Molly, who was fussing by the bedside, was quick to inquire.

“No, please, no.” Her mouth tasted as if she’d swallowed a down-filled pillow during the night. “Plain water, if you please.”

Molly crossed the room to where a silver pitcher of water sat ready on a tray. “Brings back un’appy memories, this does.” She clicked her tongue.

Elsbeth agreed. Too many distressing memories were stirring, triggered by all too familiar twinges of pain and helplessness. At least she no longer had a husband to contend with. At least she was free to tend to her injury in peace.

“The ladies Olivia and Lauretta ’ave been pesterin’ me all morning to see you,” Molly said after she pressed a glass of cool water into Elsbeth’s fingers. She helped Elsbeth lift the drink to her lips.

“I think I would like my hair braided first.” She savored the tiny swallow of water and was ready for more when an even greater need suddenly plagued her. “Um, I believe I require a hand getting out of bed, as well.” She gave a meaningful glance toward the screened area in the corner where the chamber pot was hidden.

“Just like old times, milady,” Molly clucked sadly as she helped her mistress cross the room. Her eyes darkened. “That reminds me. That dastardly Lord Edgeware demands to have a word wit’ you as well.”

My, Molly had certainly taken a quick dislike to the dark lord. “You don’t approve of the Marquess?” Elsbeth asked after settling back into the bed.

“’E’s a bleedin’ man, ain’t ’e?”

Elsbeth’s first instinct was to agree, but Lord Edgeware was so different from any man she’d ever known. She rather liked him—a realization that threatened to suck all the air from her chest.

“You better let my exuberant cousins in to see me now,” Elsbeth said as she fought to steady her breath.

Molly nodded to her mistress, and opened the door.

Olivia pushed her way in the room first with Lauretta not far behind.

“Oh Elly, we were so very worried,” Olivia cried. Fat tears dripped down her rosy cheeks. “You will live, though? Despite what everyone is saying?”

“Yes, my dear, I believe I will live. Who is saying I am dying?” She took Olivia’s hand and squeezed it.

“La, all the guests are saying you must surely be dying.” Lauretta rushed forward. “They are saying that is the only reason Lord Edgeware would marry you.”

“Beautiful girls.” She caressed her cousins’ bright cheeks. They were dears to worry after her so. “I am firm on my conviction. I will not marry Edgeware. I will not leave you.”

Olivia and Lauretta shared a silent frown.

“But-but Elly—”

“No, Olivia, my mind is set.”

“How could she not know?” Lauretta asked.

Olivia shrugged prettily and then drew Elsbeth’s hands into her own. “Elly, Lord Edgeware and you were married yesterday.”

Married? Ice ran through Elsbeth’s blood.

The golden band encircling her ring finger served as proof.

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