deepened. “Also, during tea she sits far away from the tea and asks for lemonade.”
Robert waved an impatient hand for her to continue, hoping that this was leading somewhere. “Her appetite is also gone. She only picks at her food now.”
He hadn’t missed that over the past two weeks. The few times they ate together in the past she’d had a healthy appetite, but in the one or two times he saw in her in the dining room these past two weeks she was pushing her food around on her plate. Was she unhappy? Sick? Upset about something? Was it possible she was so preoccupied thinking about him that she was having a difficult time like he was?
That was too much to hope for.
“Anything else?” he asked, kicking himself for being taken in by a servant. Normally he was smart when it came to money and didn’t part with it easily.
She nodded, clearly biting back a smile as she said, “Lady Elizabeth has been ill for the past two weeks.”
He froze. Surely she wasn’t…..
“And she missed her courses.”
Every muscle in his body froze. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir. I had to give Jane, her maid, a shilling not to tell anyone but me.” She quietly cleared her throat. Robert automatically pulled out the coin and handed it to her. “Also, not too long ago Lady Elizabeth ran into her room and became ill.”
His hands gripped the edge of the desk tightly until his knuckles turned white. “Is she…..do you think that…..”
Marie nodded. “She is most certainly with child, sir.”
'It's so nice to have both of you for tea,' Lady Norwood said to James and Lord Dumford.
'Thank you, my Lady,' James said pleasantly while Lord Dumford looked decidedly unhappy about the younger man's intrusion. It was clear to Elizabeth at least that the man came today with the intention of once again asking for her hand.
After the incident in her study, not to mention her queasy stomach, she was in no mood to deal with Lord Dumford and his proposal that would no doubt consist of a half hour sermon on God and her place to take a husband. Turning him away unfortunately was not an option if she wanted to keep her mother happy. Knowing that she was too lightheaded to do anything more than nod, she decided the only option she had was to invite him to tea where she found James already waiting for her.
'Lady Elizabeth, I was wondering if perhaps you would do me the honor of a walk in the garden?' James asked.
Elizabeth had to stop herself from groaning. She’d been hoping to avoid this for as long as possible. When she was a little girl, nothing on earth would have made her happier than the prospect of marrying James. The conversation she overheard in the library hadn't affected her decision in the slightest. She could never marry James.
Not when she was desperately in love with Robert.
'Ah, Lady Elizabeth, I believe you promised me a walk in the garden,' Lord Dumford pointed out almost desperately.
Did the man actually think that she would say yes to the first man who asked? She had absolutely no intention of saying yes to either man. In fact, if she could manage it, she would very much like to sit perfectly still where she was since both her head and stomach were currently spinning.
'May I have another cup, dear?' her father asked, looking quite pleased with himself.
'For me as well,' Lord Norwood said, also looking rather pleased. No doubt both men were here to witness what they thought was going to be an announcement that would lead to the joining of their families. Since everyone was well aware of her childhood infatuation with James, they probably thought she would happily accept his offer.
Even knowing that she was about to disappoint everyone in the room couldn’t deter her from her decision. She would say no to both men. Her mother would argue for her to accept one of the men since they were both her top choices, but she would most likely push for Elizabeth to accept James' proposal the most. Her father would argue, plead and then demand that she marry James. James’ parents would unintentionally make her feel guilty because she loved them. She knew how happy it would make everyone if this match was made, officially connecting their families, but she couldn't do it.
She couldn't marry a man she didn't love and she couldn't marry the man she did love. Robert might be able to tolerate her somewhat right now, but he would hate her when he found out that she was carrying his child. But she needed to tell him. As frightened as she was, she couldn’t do this alone. Their baby deserved better than to be labeled a bastard and right now she was terrified to continue doing this on her own.
James stood up, holding his hand out to her expectantly. 'I would be honored if you would walk with me in the garden, Lady Elizabeth,' James said charmingly enough, earning smiles from both sets of parents and a disapproving scowl from Lord Dumford.
She opened her mouth to accept just to get it over with so she could retire to her room for the rest of the day and lay down when Lord Dumford jumped to his feet.
'I'm sorry, but I must insist. Lady Elizabeth promised me a walk first,' he said firmly. She knew that he was lying, but to announce it to the room and insulting him in her mother's house was not done.
James' smile looked forced as he pulled out a ring.
'I suppose I could ask Lady Elizabeth here just as easily as in the garden,' James said, turning his attention to Elizabeth.
'Now see here, sir!' Lord Dumford said in a huff.
'Elizabeth, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?' he asked while Lord Dumford turned three different shades of red as he sputtered nonsense about proprieties.
Her mother and Lady Bradford both gasped, pressing a hand to their chests while her father and Lord Bradford smiled smugly. Lord Dumford looked decidedly unhappy.
'Well, Lady Elizabeth,' James said, grinning knowingly, 'will you marry me?'
She opened her mouth to ask to speak with him privately when someone unexpected answered for her.
'I'm sorry, brother, but I'm afraid Lady Elizabeth is unable to accept your proposal.'
Elizabeth was the last to look in Robert's direction. After taking a much needed breath to calm her stomach, she looked over and frowned.
Robert stood just inside the small ballroom with such a look of deadly determination that she couldn't help but feel a tingle of apprehension. The two men who were practically cowering behind him caught her attention. One was clearly a minister and the other could easily be a surgeon based on the small black bag he carried.
'What's the meaning of this?' her father demanded. No doubt he was upset with the interruption to the engagement that he coveted.
'I'm sorry, my Lord,' Robert said to her father, but his angry emerald eyes were focused on her, 'but Lady Elizabeth has already agreed to marry me........today.'
Chapter 20
Elizabeth forced herself to remain calm, knowing that was the only way she was going to survive this. There had to be a way to get out of this and, while she sat there trying not to lose the contents of her stomach once again, she would try to think of a way out of this or pray for a miracle, probably both.
James chuckled good-naturedly. 'As much as I appreciate a good jest, Robert, I'm afraid you're interrupting Elizabeth's acceptance.'
