The Arrogant Duke

CHAPTER SEVEN

Edward left the room and had the festivities downstairs stopped. He demanded that everyone go home, and called for Jessamine and Howard to come up to the room. He informed them that Grace had been hiding the fact that she was with child all this time, and that she had succumbed to early labor.

Jessamine collapsed to her knees and Howard was quick to send her to their chamber, where she rested until dawn.

It was heart breaking to hear Grace screaming and crying, was she actually giving birth? Edward did not notice her showing any signs that she was pregnant, she did not even show a slight bump in her belly. She was always wearing form-fitted dresses, tight corsets and bows around her waist.

Doctor Jacoby finally stepped out of the room hours later, cradling a towel, within it was a very small infant that unfortunately had not made it to the world. He informed them that Grace was very much awake inside the room, and that they should bring her a light meal to regain the energy she had lost, as well as the battle.

Edward was first to step inside. “You should rest.”

“Doctor Jacoby told me that it was most likely a baby girl.” Grace whispered quietly. “I would have named her Anabella.”

“That’s a very beautiful name,” Edward said quietly. “Would you like to eat?”

“James will hear nothing from this.” Grace told him. “I do not want him to know that he had lost a baby sister.”

Edward merely nodded. “I understand.”

“I would also like to denounce myself as Georgina and Louis’ governess.” Grace said firmly. “I have made up my mind, as soon as we have set a proper burial rite for my daughter, James and I will be returning to Boston. We have no business here any longer.”

“I suggest you rest.” Edward suggested. “I will take care of James personally.”

“You should not blame yourself for my lost, I should not have been down there in the first place.” Grace sobbed. “Please have me transferred to my room, I do not feel comfortable here.”

“I will have you transferred to another room, but not there.” Edward argued with a point. “You will have to regain your strength, and staying in that little room will not help.”

“Then I would like to transfer at Yvette’s inn.” Grace retorted. “I do not want to stay here any longer.”

“Not until you are well enough.” Edward reasoned. “I will see to it that you receive the best medical attention, but right now, you need to rest. You are not in your right mind, Grace. You are talking too much nonsense.”

“I wasn’t in my right mind, I should have never have left Boston in the first place.” Grace cried. “But now, I am. And now I realize what a fool I have been for not following your orders for the first time.”

“You are not leaving this place, Grace.” Edward stood firm and stiff. “Not until I say so. I will call upon your brother. He should be by your side right now.”

Edward left Grace all alone in the room, he thought that she would at least like to be able to grieve in private for her lost. A part of him did blame himself, but with a heart as cold as his, he could not feel anything but hatred towards himself.

Much like Grace, he was restless. What he wanted the most right now, was a reason as to why the incident had happened in the first place.

The Manor had been quiet, Edward, Jessamine, Howard and even the children were dressed in a mourning attire. It was a sad happening that could have been prevented.

Jessamine and Howard went to rest, and Georgina and Louis were kept in their room with a maid. Edward was standing before his own bedroom, waiting for Grace to call, should she ever need anything.

“Mr Duke?” Edward was startled by James who was still in his night things. “Have you seen my Mama?”

“Your Mama is not feeling well, and right now, she is resting.” Edward explained. “I am taking care of her very, very well. So why don’t you join Mr Parker to have breakfast and change?”

“Is she alright?” James asked.

Edward could not guarantee for sure. “She will be.”

“Then I will come back.” James said, before joining Mr Parker for breakfast. “Tell Mama that I love her.”

It pained Edward’s heart to see James. “I will.”

Edward sat on the floor, leaning against his door. He was waiting for Grace to call, yet she hasn’t. He had ordered for a light meal to be sent to her, it would be a perfect excuse to check on her.

“I’ve brought you soup.” Edward informed her quietly. “It isn’t good that you are starving yourself.”

“I’m fine.” Grace reassured him. “I just want peace, please.”

“Your husband would have disagreed with you.” Edward told her. “Eat, Grace.”

“I’m sure that my little Anabella would be with her Daddy now.” Grace cried. “I know it is a foolish request, but will you please sit with me?”

Edward would even send for her dead husband if it meant easing Grace’s aching heart, right now, if she needed a friend to talk to, to hold on to, and to depend on, he will be present at all times.

He placed the tray of soup by the bedside table, and sat gently on the bed. Grace immediately wrapped both of her arms around Edward and began crying. “I’m sorry, but what I need most right now is the strongest person I know as of the moment, and that is you. Hold me, Edward.”

He reciprocated by hugging Grace tightly. “It is alright, as long as you have me here, you can cry all you want. I will never, ever judge you again.”

“How is James?” Grace asked. “Is he looking for me?”

“I found an excuse.” Edward told her. “You should rest, Grace. You need your strength back for your son.”

Edward remained by Grace’s side until she drifted into a light slumber. He’d decided to do his work there, so at the same time he could watch her. It was the least he could do.

An hour later, Mr Parker appeared through the open door. “My Lord,” he bowed. “Lady Grace’s older brother, Sir Benjamin, is here.”

Edward looked at Grace, who for the first time was resting peacefully. “Send him up,” he whispered as quietly as he could. “And have a fresh batch of soup sent up here for Grace.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

Benjamin came bursting through the doors. “What happened?”

Edward did not know where to begin. “She had a miscarriage,” he informed him. “It was a baby girl, and she named it Anabella.”

“That’s unfortunate.” Benjamin said. “I shall have her transferred to our house, she will me well taken care of there, surrounded by her family.”

“But your father–”

“My father cannot resist his only daughter in a state such as this. Papa loves Grace, he is just resisting. He cannot bear to see her suffering.” Benjamin explained. “I will have a carriage sent for her, and her son as soon as she is well enough to travel.”

“No,” Edward refused. “It is my responsibility to take care of her.”

“I am her family.” Benjamin countered. “Grace can never trust you, nor set foot in this house after an incident such as this.”

“Alright,” Edward agreed. “But I will be by her side upon her transfer. I would like to see the expression on the Baron’s face, and possibly have a little conversation with him, regarding his daughter.”

“No,” a weak voice echoed in the background. “I will not go with you, Benjamin.”

“What? Grace you need your family by your side.” Benjamin said. “I am your older brother, and I love you, and I care for you. Never mind what Papa thinks, what matters the most right now is your health.”

“I am going back to Boston,” Grace announced. “I do not think that I can ever set foot back to this place after losing my daughter. I do not even think I can face my in-laws for leaving them behind. Anyways, after this, you will no longer see, nor hear from me ever again. Will that finally make you happy, Edward? I am sure that Papa will be delighted as well.”

“Grace, no–” Benjamin interrupted.

“You cannot stop me, I can now see that nobody truly wants me back.” Grace said. “James and I will leave, and that is final.”