Chapter 15
Startled awake, Dory tossed off the bedding and grabbed her wrap. She rushed down the hall and into Tom’s rooms.
Nurse Eve, asleep in the window, never stirred.
Tom’s skin was pale as death. His breathing low and intermittent.
Taking his hand, Dory kissed his clammy skin. “I forbid you to die on me, Thomas Wheel. I love you and you must give me a chance to make up for my mistakes. If you die now, how shall I survive the guilt?”
She climbed into the bed and rested against his good side.
A low moan pushed past his lips. Did he know she was there?
She whispered in his ear. “I love you, Tom. I should have told you sooner but didn’t realize it myself. So sure I could never love anyone, I did not realize what we share is the best kind of love. A love that makes us equal and perfect together. In your letter, you wrote that you wanted children and I want to give you a house full of them. They will all play and sing and have happy childhoods. They will not grow up like I did. Our children will know how much we love them. Our children will dote on their father. I cannot wait to go to the country and play in the fields. Is there a lake? I would like to teach them how to swim and we can all picnic at the edge of the water and have a lazy summer day. That would be lovely.”
His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm and the pain etched in the corners of his eyes eased.
“I love you, Tom. I shall love you until the end of time. Even if you put me aside, which you have every right to do after my behavior, I will still love you.”
* * * *
The light peeking through the blinds woke Dory. She pushed up from the mattress to get a better look at Tom’s face. Was his color better, or did she just wish it to be?
Nurse Eve stepped inside with a fresh pitcher of water for the basin. She spared Dory a smile.
Dory’s cheeks warmed with embarrassment. “I came in to check on him last night. I guess I fell asleep.”
“He must have not minded, madam. His fever is down this morning. It broke an hour ago. I thought I might bathe him and clean away all the sweat. Cooling him down might lower the fever even more.”
Dory crossed to the window and pulled the blinds back to reveal a sunny day. “Maybe we should leave these open. It might help him to know the sun is out and it’s a beautiful day.”
“As you wish, madam. I do not think it could hurt. I know I feel better with the sun shining in.” She poured the water in the basin and dropped a cloth in.
“Shall I send Crowly in to help you? Mr. Wheel is quite heavy.”
Eve smiled. “I can manage, madam. I have been doing this for a long time.”
“Of course you have, and you do a fine job. I cannot thank you enough.” Dory pulled her wrap closed.
Crowly knocked and stepped inside. In a rare show of emotion, his eyes were narrowed and his back stiff. He had his fists clenched as if he might be ready to fight someone. “Madam, Lord and Lady Castlereagh are downstairs. I have put them in the front parlor.”
Her temper rose and she had to quell it. “It is very early for a call. They will have to wait while I dress.”
“Yes, madam.” He opened the door.
“And, Crowly.”
He turned. “Yes, madam?”
“I will deal with my father. There is no need for you to take action. Mr. Wheel would not like it.”
Crowly looked at Thomas. “No, madam, he would not. I shall keep my place.”
Dory dismissed him with a nod. “Thank you. I will return as soon as my parents have left the house.”
“Good luck, madam.”
Dory laughed, but it was a sour, hollow sound. Rushing back to her room, she called Emily to help her dress and do her hair. It was still three quarters of an hour before she took the stairs down to the main level and opened the front parlor door.
One hand resting on the sill, Margaret gazed out the window at the street. The sun illuminated deep creases around her mouth and eyes that had not been there the last time Dory had seen her.
Geoffrey jumped up from the overstuffed chair and had to grab the edge of a wood inlaid table to keep from collapsing on the muted green rug. Distracted by his lost balance, he pursed his lips as if searching for what he wanted to say.
Closing the door, Dory said, “It is quite early for a call.” She crossed the room and kissed her mother on the cheek. “Lovely to see you, Mother.”
“Are you all right?”
“I am fine.”
Father growled, “You are to pack your things and come home this instant.”
A knot tightened in her belly. Screaming as she wanted to would do no good. She had ordered Crowly to behave as was appropriate for his station and now she had to follow her own advice. “My husband is ill. I am not going anywhere.”
“You mean he is not dead yet?”
“Father, if you cannot behave like a gentleman, I will ask you to leave. It is already disgusting for you to call here, at Mr. Wheel’s home, after your abhorrent behavior.”
He pointed an unsteady finger at her. “You should know your place. You do not get to judge my behavior. I am your father.”
She’d called him father out of habit. Nothing about his behavior her entire life granted him the rights of that honor. “My lord, you may consider your post in that regard relinquished. I want nothing to do with you.”
“I am your father and you will come home as soon as that idiot dies. You will marry Hartly, as planned, and all of this will be right.” He plopped back in the chair and the bounce of the cushion caused him to grip the arm and swallow.
She hoped he didn’t vomit on the rug. “I will do no such thing. First of all, I know my husband paid your debts in spite of the fact that I opposed his doing so.”
“What?” Margaret stepped away from the window. “You told me we were in danger of going to debtor’s prison.”
“I will not discuss this with you here, madam.”
Margaret crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes. “Dorothea, you said ‘first’. I assume that you have more information. Please go on.”
The intense satisfaction from having her mother’s support surprised her. Maybe the earl had gone too far even for Margaret. “Thomas not only paid Castlereagh’s debt to Lord Hartly, he settled all his debts to put an end to this madness. Despite that, Castlereagh challenged him to a duel in public. I am guessing you did it so you could not only have a clean slate, but also make a bit of extra money from selling me. The only trouble is, you came to the duel drunk, and although my husband never lifted his pistol, your shot was off and not fatal.”
He pushed up from the chair. “I have it on good authority Wheel’s injuries are fatal. He will likely die and you will be on the street. It will be a kindness for me to take you back into our house.”
“Geoffrey, is all of this true? Did you intentionally arrange for your daughter’s husband to die so you could profit? What has become of you?”
“I did it for us, Margaret. I wanted you to be happy again.”
“You could not care less about anyone’s happiness save your own. I am embarrassed and ashamed to be your wife.”
The depth of his betrayal was astounding. Wanting her voice to be clear and firm, Dory took a deep breath. “You will not take me back nor will I ever live on the street. You see, my husband did not lift his pistol because he would not kill my father, a fact for which I am both grateful and disappointed. Before he met you on the dueling field that morning, he arranged for me to be a very wealthy widow. So you see, I do not need you and you will get nothing from me.”
“It cannot be true. He only married you out of some strange sense of duty. You are nothing. Why would he give it all to you and not to his mother?”
“That is none of your business. I recommend that you ask Markus to assist you with your finances before you lose all of his inheritance. Frankly, I think he could use something to distract him from his grief. Even Adam would do a better job than you have.”
“You are the most selfish child. Ungrateful little cuss.” He stormed toward her with a hand raised.
Dory backed up a step.
Margaret put her foot in his path and he tripped over it.
Crashing to the floor, he took a table and vase with him.
“I would not care a fig about you or your finances if not for my mother. Though, she will always have a place with me. Do as you like, my lord. Just do it elsewhere.” She pulled the cord for the butler.
Crowly entered. “Crowly, please escort his lordship out.”
Her mother remained standing with one hand on the back of a chair.
“Mother, you are welcome to stay. I can order some tea.”
Margaret raised her eyebrows then folded her hands together in front of her. “That would be lovely.”
Crowly bowed. “I will see to it, madam.”
Father harrumphed and ambled to the door, followed by Crowly, who closed the door behind them.
Dory collapsed in the chair and leaned her head back.
Rounding the seating area, Margaret smiled. “Well done, my dear.” She sat on the settee and placed her hands in her lap. “You handled that like a true lady.”
“Thank you, Mother. I never thought I could do it.”
“This was the first opportunity you had the power to get him out of your life. I wish I was half as brave.”
Sitting up, Dory regarded her mother’s stiff posture and sedate expression. Clearly, a facade she wore to fool everyone, and maybe even herself. After all the years she’d dreaded her mother’s attention, she saw her differently. Maybe her mother felt the same way. “Mother, you are always welcome to remain with me. I do not believe Thomas would mind, and we have plenty of room.”
Margaret smiled and she was lovelier than she had been in years. “That is very kind, Dorothea. I will give it some thought. How is Mr. Wheel?”
“Things were quite bad but I think he is better today. Father’s bullet pierced his side and poisoned his blood, of which he’s lost so much the doctor will not bleed him. All I can do is wait, and pray that he recovers.”
The tea arrived and neither spoke until the maid placed the tray on the table, curtsied, and left the room.
Margaret accepted a cup from Dory. “And is that what you want?”
Dory’s hand froze while holding the teapot over her cup. “I want Tom to recover.”
“If he dies, you will be a wealthy woman.” She sipped.
Refusing to take the bait, she poured her tea and placed the pot on the tray. “Tom risked his life to spare me the pain of losing my father. That would be extraordinary in any circumstance, but considering who my father is…Tom is nothing short of a saint. I want him to live.”
“Then I will pray that he makes a full recovery.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Margaret put her cup down and took a biscuit from the plate. She nibbled on a corner and put it on her saucer. “Are you in love with him?”
Could a woman like her mother understand such a thing? She couldn’t imagine her parents were in love, but maybe they had been at one time. “I love him with all my heart. He is the best man I have ever known. Marrying me has cost him far too much.”
Margaret nodded. “You could not have known what your father was capable of. Frankly, I am surprised by the depth of his betrayal. It makes me wonder if Hartly and that Wormfield character are not behind it. Since your father has lost himself in the bottom of a bottle, he is easily influenced.”
“You think that Hartly is behind the duel?”
She shrugged. “I think it is more likely than Geoffrey risking his life of his own accord. He never was the type.”
Dory put her tea aside. “Do you think Tom is still in danger?”
Sipping her tea, Mother looked over the rim. “I cannot say. However, Hartly has never struck me as the kind of man who takes losing lightly. He courted your father about marrying you for over a year. I think he may have fouled a few of your father’s business deals to create the need for the loan, which made you available as payment. Much of Geoffrey’s gambling debt was owed to Hartly or Wormfield. Perhaps this was all a grander plan that you ruined by going to Mr. Wheel.”
She had put Tom in more danger than she could have guessed. Her heart sank. “Have you heard anything else with regard to Tom?”
“I am sorry, Dorothea. Your father does not confide in me about his dealings. He never did.” Deep creases formed around Margaret’s mouth. “I would not have liked seeing you married to Hartly.”
Heart in her throat, she couldn’t believe her ears. “I thought you wanted me to marry the earl?”
“I wanted you to be a countess and you had already refused most of the eligible men of the season. Hartly solved the problem and the issues of money as well. He is an old man and I thought you would not have to suffer with him for long.” She picked up her tea and sipped.
“Rather cutthroat, Mother, to take the money and then wait for my husband to die.” She’d lost her appetite for the tea.
“Perhaps. In any event, you made your choice, and I am glad of it. I always thought Thomas Wheel a good man and he solved the other problem as well. He has no title, but you never cared about such things.” Margaret took a bite of the biscuit.
“Did you love father at one time?” It was none of her business, but it was the first adult conversation she had ever had with her mother. Might as well take advantage of the moment.
Margaret placed her tea back on the table. Her chest lifted with a heavy sigh. “It was so long ago, but yes. When we first met, I was much taken with him. He was handsome and clever. He remained so until his father’s death when the title fell to him. I think perhaps it was too much for him and he drank more and more. His behavior was repugnant and I suppose I was sharp tongued. We grew further apart with every passing year. Once he took his first mistress without even bothering to hide his infidelity…well.”
“I am very sorry, Mother.”
Her shrug was slight and she picked her tea back up. “If I may, I would like to see Mr. Wheel and then return home.”
“I would like to reiterate that you are welcome to stay here.” They rose and walked to the door and up the steps.
Margaret shook her head. “I will have my maid pack, and perhaps it is time I visit with Markus. I have seen little of my granddaughter and I am worried about Markus. He should be getting out more by this time.”
Knowing her mother, she thought a gentle warning in order. “An excellent idea, though I recommend you are gentle with Markus, Mother. He took Emma’s death very hard.”
“Gentle is not in my nature, but I shall do my best.”
Nurse Eve stood when they entered. “He seems better today, madam. His breathing is steady.”
Margaret strode to the bed. “Has he woken?”
“Not yet, Mother.” Dory rounded the bed and pressed her palm to his forehead. Warm, but not as much as the day before.
Taking a step back, Margaret paled. “It is unforgivable what his lordship has done. I cannot tell you how sorry I am.”
Eve eased away with the water jug in tow.
Dory wasn’t sure if her mother was apologizing to her or to Thomas. “It is not your fault, Mother.”
“No, but I am still sorry for his pain.” Shoulders sagging, she stepped out of the room.
Dory followed, asked Crowly to have a carriage brought around for her mother, and then saw her mother to the door. “I am glad you came, Mother. Even more pleased that you stayed for tea.”
“Will you be all right? I can postpone my trip to the country and visit daily.”
“I think Markus needs you more than I do. If anything changes, I will write you for help.”
“Very well. I know you prefer the help of your friends to me, Dorothea, but do tell me if I can be of assistance.”
Dory’s chest tightened. Longing for a relationship with her mother, hoped leaped in like a waving flag. “Perhaps that will change in the future, Mother. We seem to have crossed into a new chapter of our relationship today.”
“Indeed.” Her mother kissed her cheek. “Take care of yourself, Dorothea. I hope Mr. Wheel will soon be himself again.”
Crowly opened the front door and she swept out with her chin held high.
Dory sat on the steps and put her head in her hands. The morning had left her numb.
“Are you all right, madam?” Crowly asked.
She hardly knew. “It has been quite a day and it is not even noon.”
“Yes, madam.” His lips quirked in what might have been a smile if he hadn’t held it back. Stoic to the last.
She took a deep breath and stood. “I will be with Mr. Wheel should anyone else call. Lord Marlton will return at some point.”
“The Duke of Kerburghe is on his way from the country as well, madam. Lord Marlton mentioned it yesterday as he was leaving. I apologize for not mentioning it sooner.”
Tom’s friends ran to his aid just as he had run to theirs a dozen times. “I am not surprised. Did his lordship say if Kerburghe was opening his London house or staying with him?”
“He did not say.”
“Very well. I suppose we will know if he brings her grace soon enough.” She trudged up the steps, using the railing for assistance. All the emotions exhausted her. Knowing that she had put Tom in all this danger ripped at her soul, and not knowing if the danger was over broke her.
As soon as she was alone with Tom, she allowed the first tear to fall. Her chest ached with the sorrow she’d been caging up. “I am so sorry, Tom. If I had known what Father and Hartly were up to, I would have stayed away from you. I swear I would not have risked your life and your business.”