Page 52 of Loving an Earl
Warmth kissed her cheeks. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that.”
“Indeed, I figured as much. He will be furious when he finds out you have been nursing him during his sickest hours.”
No doubt he would be, but she couldn’t leave him. She’d forgotten about her anger with him for accusing her of lying to him and for that ridiculous list of potential suitors. She could be angry with him again later when he was well.
Once she was alone with Langford, she bathed his flushed, hot face, neck, and chest. He didn’t protest, and she didn’t know if that was a good sign or bad that his body didn’t react to the cool water. One change she did notice was that his breathing seemed less labored, more even and steady. Instead of moaning in his sleep, he was muttering words she couldn’t quite make out. All this gave her heart a bit of hope that he was on the mend.
Later that morning, Blackstone and Caldwell visited. “How is he?” Blackstone asked. For someone who was usually impeccably put together, he was looking quite worried and disheveled.
“Yes, is he any better?” Caldwell asked, his own appearance not faring any better than Blackstone’s.
“I think he may be a bit better than yesterday and last night. The doctor was pleased the infection hadn’t spread, which is positive news.”
Blackstone went to Langford’s bedside and lifted the sheet and blanket, frowning as he studied his injured leg. “I can’t see anything because of the bandages. If his fever would break, I’d feel more optimistic.”
“Me too,” Caldwell agreed.
“I see improvement from yesterday,” Lilly told them.
“We can sit with him if you would like a respite. Go have tea and something to eat. He’ll be fine with us.”
“I would appreciate that.” Lilly had come right to his room after dressing this morning, skipping breakfast, and at the mention of food, her stomach growled. “I’ll be back shortly.” She made her way downstairs to the morning room, hoping there was something left of breakfast, but the room had been cleared away of every last crumb. Making her way to the drawing room, Lilly found Emmeline sitting by herself. “I’m going to ring for tea. Will you join me?”
“Pardon?” Emmeline appeared lost in thought. She blinked her eyes several times. “Never mind, I heard you. Yes, tea would be lovely.”
“What has you out of sorts?” Lilly inquired as she pulled the bell for a servant.
“Blackstone came and spoke with me before he went up to visit Langford.”
“It is good he made a point to seek you out today.”
“Yes. Indeed it is.” Emmeline paused. “He invited me to the theater tonight.”
“That is wonderful news.” Lilly had never been to see a play herself, but it sounded like great fun. Perhaps someday.
“It is. With you and Mother seeing to Langford, it will be just the two of us.” She rose and paced the room back and forth several times before she stopped. “I’m nervous to be alone with him.” She threw her arms out. “This is my dream come true, so what is wrong with me?”
Lilly tried to be encouraging. “You love him. You have waited six years for him. Of course, you are nervous. Anyone would be. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with you besides being a woman in love and hoping for a future with the man of your nightly dreams.”
Emmeline’s mouth curved up into a knowing smile. “My nightly dreams do indeed involve Blackstone and me together in wedded bliss.”
Lilly pondered the wordswedded bliss. Hopefully, she would experience such a thing one day. “Conquer your fears. Be brave, be assertive, and pursue your duke.”
Emmeline smiled wider. “You make it sound so easy.”
“With you and Blackstone, it may be that easy since you both already love one another. You just need to find out what is preventing him from committing himself to you, and help him overcome it. Until he does, I fear you both will be miserable.”
“How did you get to be so wise in affairs of the heart at your age?” Emmeline queried. “And never even having been in love.”
In love?Lilly wanted to be in love, but Emmeline was right—she hadn’t been yet. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t recognize it in others and help them if she could. “I’m not wise, just observant. And your love is easy to see.”
She frowned and became lost in her own thoughts pertaining to that elusive emotion. What would it feel like? Would she recognize it if and when it happened to her? What she felt for Langford was strong, but was it love? And what about Redford? Unfortunately, he didn’t strike anything resembling love into her heart—at least not yet—which was too bad. On the surface he was perfect for her, if a tad boring. But sometimes boring was good. He wasn’t out at his clubs or the gaming hells throwing his money away. Though a niggling feeling unfurled inside her stomach. How did she really know he wasn’t doing just that?
Enough thinking about Redford. “What shall you wear tonight?”
A smile lit up Emmeline’s face. Her cheeks pinked, and her eyes sparkled. She was getting excited about the theater with Blackstone. “I was thinking of the new ice-blue silk gown from Madam Serena. She outdid herself on it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful, with the unadorned silk bodice and the flowing skirt of delicate lace overlay. The matching cloak and gloves are just as beautiful. And when the light catches the silk and lace it shimmers.”
“He will forget his name when he sees you. With your dark hair and blue eyes, every lady in attendance will envy you both for your looks and for being on the duke’s arm.”
