Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
She smiled. “It is. Very joyful and cheerful. A wonderful way to start the day.” A servant brought a tray packed high with kippers, a boiled egg, and a scone with butter and jam. She poured Janice a cup of tea.
* * *
“I hope you’re hungry.” Arthur grinned at her.
* * *
Janice sighed. “I suppose I can eat. My stomach was in too many knots to properly enjoy my own breakfast at home.”
* * *
“Well then, tuck in.”
* * *
Janice picked up a fork. “So, tell me. How did your mother fare after we left?”
* * *
Arthur took a deep breath. “Well, it was touch and go for a while. She was so confused. So turned around. She kept asking to go home and calling me Papa. It was heartbreaking.” He swallowed the lump in his throat.
* * *
Janice put down her fork, her eyes full of sympathy. “What did you do?”
* * *
“Sister Sarah recommended a tisane of poppy leaves and lavender. We gave it to her and she fell asleep right there on the chair. I carried her to bed.” His voice broke on the last word.
* * *
She reached out and covered his hand with hers. “Are you able to get a physician?”
* * *
“Yes, I thought I’d fetch one when I go to London and get our marriage license. Sister Sarah says she can manage until then. She made her a tea of chamomile and lavender this morning to keep her calm. I have not seen her yet.”
* * *
Janice patted his arm. “Perhaps we can go and say good morning once I have finished my breakfast.”
* * *
He nodded, “Please, take your time.”
Arthur’s mother was alert enough to track them with her eyes but she did not speak or react to their greetings. Janice held her hand and squeezed it. Her heart was breaking for Arthur, his eyes naked with hope and despair.
* * *
“You must have patience,” she said.
* * *
He turned to look at her and tried to smile. “I am trying. It’s hard when I don’t know what to expect.”
* * *
Lady Weasley’s hand twitched in hers and she turned to find the dowager watching Arthur curiously. “I think she does recognize you. It will come back to her. You’ll see. It’s too soon to give up.”
* * *
He came and sat next to her on the bed. “I am grateful for your words,” he said softly, “You always know how to make me feel better.”
* * *
She reached out for his hand, holding it in hers, her other hand still holding Lady Weasley’s. They sat in silence, just breathing together. Finally, Arthur turned to her and smiled. “I feel like I have not spoken to you in years.”
* * *
She huffed. “Yes, I know what you mean. There always seems to be somebody around.”
* * *
“Do you want to go to my study and talk?” he asked.
* * *
Her heart quickened and she nodded jerkily. He got to his feet and pulled her to hers. His eyes slid to his mother. “Mama, we’ll leave you to sleep. We shall come for another visit later. You remember Janice don’t you?”
* * *
The dowager’s eyes moved from Arthur to Janice but she didn’t say anything. Janice lifted her hand and waved. “Goodbye for now, Lady Weasley.”
* * *
She turned, pulling Arthur along with her and they left the room, walking down the long carpeted hallway. Sister Sarah had been waiting outside the door and she went back in as soon as they exited the room. Lady Weasley’s chambers were on the ground floor to avoid accidents on the stairs. They were on the opposite side of the house from Arthur’s study and so they crossed the length of the house to get there.
* * *
He opened the heavy mahogany door for her and she stepped into the room. It was a very manly space with its shelves of books lining it on three sides and then one side having a brick wall, with a window fixed into it, that stood just behind the huge mahogany desk and chesterfield armchair. Across the room from the desk was a chesterfield sofa of brown leather with two matching armchairs flanking it and a low table in front of it. It was as if the room was divided in two – the desk where work could be done and the chesterfield where one might relax and read.
* * *
Arthur seated her on the sofa and took a seat next to her. He turned to her expectantly. “So tell me, how is your family really feeling about our impending wedding?” he asked.
* * *
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Oh. You actually meant to talk?” she grabbed the lapels of his coat and pulled him in so that he was flush against her, so close they were sharing the same air. They stared into each other’s eyes and then his tongue was questing its way into her mouth, his hands were iron bands around her waist and he was kissing her as if his life might depend on it.