The Arrogant Duke

CHAPTER SIX

It was almost midnight when Grace arrived at Mansfield Manor, carrying James as he slept peacefully in her arms. She had been feeling uncomfortable since last night; the pain in her abdomen is something she had experienced before while she was pregnant with James.

When Grace entered the Manor, she immediately noticed that there were still people in the sitting room, heavily discussing something. She tried not to make any distractions, so she crept as quietly as she could.

“Grace!” Jessamine called for her. “Good, you’re back. I wanted to ask your opinion about a few things, you always had better taste than me.”

Grace could not say no, and instead turned to face Jessamine and politely said. “Let me tuck James in first, then I'll be down to help you in a few minutes."

Truthfully, she would rather go to bed and sleep the discomfort she felt away, but she did owe Jessamine a huge favor after taking her and her son in.

“No need,” Jessamine said. “Let Harper see to that.”

The young maid immediately tended to James, who was thankfully still sound asleep.

“Now, please keep this a secret.” Jessamine whispered. “It is Edward’s birthday come this Saturday, and I was planning to throw a ball.”

“He will be eight and twenty.” Grace recalled. Edward was five years her senior. She was seventeen and Edward was two and twenty when they were betroth. It was a day she will never forget.

“Yes, he will.” Jessamine nodded. “Yet he is still unmarried.”

“He still has a long time to find himself a wife.”

Jessamine scoffed. “A decent wife.”

“What?” Grace asked.

“Nothing, but just imagine if the two of you got married five years ago. Can you imagine your life now?”

Grace had always thought about that. She imagined that she would have at least two children with Edward if she had elected to stay and marry him. Truthfully in the past, she did not hate Edward, she could see him as a decent companion and friend to him as they grew older. But time and time again did she remind herself that she could not see Edward as a man she would love as a husband, he was more of a brother figure than a lover to him then. If only Edward understood that earlier on.

“I would have had regrets by now,” Grace said. “Why don’t we begin with planning?”

Yes, Grace admitted that if she married Edward, then she will surely have regrets with her in her death bed … but as of the moment, she was not sure what could have been righter for her life – marrying Edward and having her family at her side, or marrying her deceased husband and live a few happy years with him.

Either way, she could no longer change the past.

“Oh, great!” Jessamine squealed. “Come, let’s get started.”

The night could not have been faster, Grace sat as she chose something that Jessamine offered and gave her honest opinion about each. The pain she felt grew worse and worse as time went on. Although the occasional tea helped a bit, she knew that she would have to visit a doctor, or call for one.

Grace had even wondered on how she would be able to be with Georgina and Louis in the schoolroom without fainting.

As much as she would like to excuse herself for another day, she thought of Edward and what he would think of her when he hears that she is unable to perform her duty well.

“Are you alright?” Jessamine noticed that Grace started to grow pale. “You don’t look very well.”

“I’m alright,” Grace lied. “Just tired, that’s all.”

Jessamine glanced at the large clock that hung by the fireplace. “Oh, it’s nearing dawn. You must get some sleep now, and maybe we can continue later this afternoon? The florists are coming and I need your help in choosing flowers and their arrangements.”

Grace nodded with relief written all over her face. “Thank you.”

“I know that you’ve been very uncomfortable,” Jessamine started. “I will have the doctor sent to check on you whether you’d like it or not.”

“Thank you,” Grace said again.

She prayed that everything would be alright.

Grace had allowed James to borrow a book from the library. She watched him while he tried to read the story of the prince that turned into a frog. She tried hard to correct wrong pronunciation, but she could not help but think that it was utterly adorable.

“Mrs Sullivan?” Harper, the young maid that tended to James the night before entered the room. “The doctor that Lady Jessamine sent has arrived to check upon you.”

“Will you please take James then?” Grace asked. “Please be sure that he is nowhere near the Duke please.”

Harper took James, and sent the doctor to Grace’s average-sized bedchamber.

“Mrs Sullivan, my name is Doctor Jacoby.” The doctor introduced himself. “Lady Jessamine told me that you were feeling light headed and discomfort?”

“Doctor, I am with child.” Grace told him. “And it concerns me that I have been feeling discomfort in my lower stomach.”

“Do you know how far along are you?”

“I’m five months along with my pregnancy.” Grace replied. “I know that I have passed the first trimester, and yet I am still worried as I’ve experienced this with my previous pregnancy. I always felt faint and weak, so I mostly remained in bed for the duration of my term. My husband was a doctor himself so I was well taken care of.”

“And might I ask of his whereabouts?”

“He passed on of cholera three months back.” Grace’s expression changed. “It was a terrible, terrible thing to get through.”

“I’m sorry,” Doctor Jacoby sympathized. “I know what it was like to lose a loved one from cholera. My one-year old daughter, Sophie, lost the battle as well long ago.”

“Going back,” Grace said. “Do I have to be concerned, Doctor?”

“You’re still in the early signs of pregnancy, Mrs Sullivan. You cannot force your body to do strenuous activities, and most of all you cannot put yourself into stress. It is not only bad for you, but also the child you are carrying.” Doctor Jacoby informed her. “Do not overwork yourself, and I can assure you, both you and your child will be just fine. I suggest that you remain in bed for at least a week, so that you can gain strength. Eat healthier as well.”

“I will,” Grace agreed. “Thank you, Doctor.”

“I will take my leave now, Mrs Sullivan.” Doctor Jacoby collected his belongings and headed towards the door. “Be careful.”

Edward watched from his study window the child, James, along with Georgina and Louis, played together by the small pond in the garden. He wondered why it was almost noon and yet the children were not in the schoolroom along with their governess whom he had not yet seen since his arrival.

He rang for their butler, Mr Parker, and almost immediately, he entered the study. “You rang, Milord?”

“Yes,” Edward brought with him a glass of whiskey. “I was inquiring to know where the children’s governess is. I’ve been noticing that they have been playing about when they should be in their schoolroom studying.”

“Lady Grace has been feeling ill these days, Milord.” Mr Parker informed him. “Doctor Jacoby came this morning and told us that she will have to rest for at least a week. I asked why, but he said that Lady Grace had instructed him not to tell anyone why.”

“Maybe she is just acting,” Edward presumed. “She is a very talented actress.”

“I do not think so, Milord.” Mr Parker said. “Lady Grace was paler than milk when I came to check on her. She seemed very ill to me.”

“Very well,” Edward gave in. “I will check on her myself once I have time. You are dismissed, Ferris. Thank you for your time.”

“Anytime, Milord.” Mr Parker bowed before the Duke and left immediately to continue what chores he had left behind.

Edward despised balls being thrown in his honour, and he could not see as to why it had to be this grand of a ball. Edward was impressed though, Jessamine had clearly outdone herself. His sister absolutely knew his taste, from the wines served to the music that a local band was playing.

“I knew that I could trust Grace, don’t you think it lovely, Edward?” Jessamine suddenly appeared from his behind. “It seemed like she knew you from head to toe, I’d say.”

Edward scoffed. “What do you mean?”

“I do not want to take the credit all to myself,” Jessamine explained. “I may have sent out the invitations, dear brother, but it was Grace who organized everything. The meals to be served, the music to be played, and the wonderful arrangement of everything!”

Grace did all of this?

“Where is she?” Edward asked. “I’ve not seen her all week.”

“I do not think she will be able to come down as she needs to rest …”

Edward was annoyed when his sister stopped talking and stared at something. He noticed the room went silent all together.

“My word,” Jessamine gasped. “The Baron’s daughter is back!”

Edward recalled the first time that Grace had been presented to a ball, it was similar to a setting like this and everyone stopped and stared at her. He thought of her a pretty little lady back then, but now, she looked absolutely beautiful.

Grace wore a sophisticated black dress that she embellished with a gold necklace and earrings. It was simple, but clearly everyone was stunned.

Edward watched as she was handed a dance card, and every eligible gentleman suddenly presented themselves to her. She did not seem to care as she set the dance card and pencil down, maybe she just came to watch and enjoy what she had done and created?

He approached her and grabbed her tiny hands into his. “You are sick?” Edward asked to check. “Yet here you are, presenting yourself like some innocent debutante.”

“I came to watch, and nothing more than that.” Grace spat, obviously he thought that she came to seduce someone to bed. “Do not worry, I do not plan to stay long.”

She still felt uncomfortable knowing of her state. She would stay for at least an hour or two, before disappearing back to her room where James would be waiting for her with Harper, who actually grew quite fond of James.

“Dance with me.” Edward said sternly. “And you will dance with no one else.”

Dancing would be straining. She could not afford to be tired and stressed, not right now.

“Edward, I can’t.” Grace tried to push him off.

“Do not embarrass me at my own party, not in the middle of the dance floor.” The memory of him standing by the altar waiting for the bride that never came still seemed fresh in his memory. “Dance with me.”

Grace tried to resist him, but she gave in when the music began and he locked himself to her. By the middle of the dance, Grace felt the familiar pain beginning to form in her lower stomach. She had to think of a way to escape his tight holds, and at least sit somewhere quiet.

When the dance ended, Grace said. “I’m famished, would you like a drink?”

“What?” Edward thought it absurd. “Lady Grace, we’ve only just begun.”

Edward began to hold Grace again and cued the band to play the next song, perfect it was the quadrille. It will surely put her in a more festive spirit.

“Edward, no more.” Grace pleaded as the pain intensified, but she realized that Edward had already buried himself to the sound of loud music. “Please.”

Grace suddenly stopped when she felt liquid pool between her legs. “Edward.” Her knees buckled and weakened and she collapsed on the floor, letting Edward’s hand go.

Edward was quick enough to catch her. He saw that a form of liquid had formed beneath her dress, and he immediately responded by lifting her up and away from the dance floor.

The festivities continued, as no one seemed to have noticed.

“Mr Parker, call for the doctor, quick!” He scowled at the poor old man. “Take my horse, it is the fastest.”

Edward brought him to his chamber as it was the largest. He noticed that she was still conscious, but she seemed to be succumbing to the pain she was feeling.

“You could have told me that you were hurting.” Edward said. “If you’re in pain then cry woman, do not keep it to yourself. It will do you no good.”

“It hurts,” Grace said in between sobs. “It hurts.”

“What?” Edward began to worry.

“Shall I die tonight then promise me that you will have James sent to his uncle.” Grace began to sweat profusely. “Edward, promise me.”

“I will,” Edward promised, not really knowing of what Grace’s condition was.

Grace began to scream, gripping the bed tightly as if she was feeling intense pain. Edward held her in his arms, not sure of what to do, but wait for the doctor to arrive.

Doctor Jacoby burst in the room half an hour later. “This is not good.”

“What?” Edward asked worriedly. “What is it?”

“I need everyone out of the room now.” Doctor Jacoby kept calm. “Milord, will it be alright if I have fresh towels and hot water brought here immediately?”

“What has happened to her?” Edward asked.

“Mrs Sullivan is having an early labour, and I cannot do anything more.” Doctor Jacoby said seriously. “I will have to save a life here.”

“Save my child, please.” Grace pleaded. “Save my child.”

“Milord, please, I need you to evacuate the room.” Doctor Jacoby asked. “Now.”

Edward left the room in a state of shock, had he caused this incident to happen?