CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
957 Words
Edward had left Grace with an assurance in in mind and heart. Grace will not leave his side while he handled Marcela. It was all he needed, and it was all that mattered.
It was a rare day that Edward had decided that he would walk back alone. He'd never really seen the beauty of the sun setting through a common folk's eye. He enjoyed the tranquility of the lone road, it was almost comforting.
"Your Grace," Doctor Jacoby called as he rode his horse. "Unusual to see you here."
Edward found it odd as well, there was no other residence at the end of the path but the Mansfield Manor. "Doctor Jacoby, what are you doing here?"
"I was called for," Doctor Jacoby replied, confused. "The boy who came running said it was urgent."
"What?" Edward asked, had something happened to the children? He ran as fast as his feet could carry him with negative thoughts going through his head.
Edward's frantic race had him bursting through the doors, and there he found his sister and her husband anxiously waiting, clearly. Doctor Jacoby followed him calmly, unknowing yet still of what was going on.
"What happened?" Edward asked nervously as he desperately tried to catch his breath. "Are the children hurt?"
Jessamine glared at him. "Lady Marcela was found by a maid screaming in pain, bare as the day she was born."
Pain? "Doctor Jacoby, please attend to Lady Marcela." Edward said sternly, he did not believe it. It could all just be an act that Marcela had put on to capture his attention.
"Then, I'll see to her." Doctor Jacoby left Edward with Howard and Jessamine in silence. It was quite obvious that Edward had questions to answer, and doubts to correct.
"What on earth is happening, Edward?" Jessamine asked irritably. "It could have been one of the children that could have seen that woman maliciously naked on the floor of your study. What did you do?"
Jessamine had clearly inherited their mother's badgering. Edward remain collected and reserved. "Calm yourself," he told his angry sister. "It is only a stunt."
"A stunt?" Jessamine asked. "Edward, the poor woman was sweating and writhing in unbearable pain. I do not think she is acting. What have you done?"
"Jessamine, I tell you this in complete honesty - I did not do anything to her." Edward made himself clear. "She was the one who came to me in an attempt to seduce me knowing that Grace had arrived and could catch us in the act."
"Is that why Grace ran away?" Jessamine asked, relieved that her brother had not done anything stupid.
Edward nodded. "Yes, she saw Marcela unclothed, standing in my study."
Doctor Jacoby came out of Marcela's chamber half an hour later. He remained in a calm composure, but he looked disheartened.
Edward was waiting alone as Jessamine and Howard tended to their children before bed. "Well?"
"The Lady requested of me not to tell you because she wanted to do it herself." Doctor Jacoby said. "I gave her something for the pain, and she should be resting by now."
"Will that be all?" Edward asked. "Will you come by to check on her again?"
Doctor Jacoby nodded. "Please send for me once Lady Marcela feels great pain, but if it is mild then I suggest a teaspoon of laudanum. It will help lessen the pain."
It must be serious. "Thank you, Doctor Jacoby. May I call for you again tomorrow?"
"I'll be here at noon." Doctor Jacoby said. "Please have someone watch over her, Your Grace. Or better yet, send a relative for her."
Edward entered the chamber to find Marcela sat up, and leaning against the head of the bed. "The doctor said you are ill."
Marcela looked at Edward, her face was paler than ever. "I am."
"Care to tell me about it?" Edward took the chair beside the bed and sat himself there, he still looked disinterested.
"I have cancer," Marcela admitted nonchalantly.
"What?" Edward asked, now he was concerned. He had not expected this, especially not from a strong woman such as Marcela.
"I found lumps on my breasts a year ago and took it for nothing. Until I began feeling discomfort and pain, and found out that it was clearly something." Marcela said. "I am dying, Edward. Aren't you happy?"
"I'm not, Marcela." Edward would have been happy to have her gone, but not by death. It was simply wrong. "This is no joking matter."
"You're in a state of shock, and so was I, but there's nothing I can do about it now. I am sitting and waiting for death to claim me." Marcela told him without an ounce of fear present in her voice.
"And you have accepted this?" Edward asked. "You should be in London with greater doctors at your disposal. You being here is highly inappropriate for your situation."
"You're wrong," Marcela said. "I am here because I've given up on my life, Edward. Now that I am dying, I realize that I want to be happy, that is why I am here."
Edward was silent.
"I love you, Edward." Marcela confessed. "Now that I am growing weaker, I would like to spend the rest of my short life with you. Can you not spare me my last meal, even with crumbs that fell from your plate? Please, I beg of you."
Edward realized that he could not be cruel. It would be a sin, and he would never forgive himself if he did. Marcela had always been there for him, granting him his every wish. It was time that he had returned the favor.
"What is it that you want?" Edward asked.
"Marry me."
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