Page 54 of Her Daring Earl
“How are you?”
She would have laughed were she not so on edge.
“I—” she was about to say that she was well, but that was not true at all. Shehadbeen well, but now the anxious ball in the pit of her stomach had begun to grow.
It was that same feeling she had when she first realized that she might be expecting, one that came and went but seemed to worsen when she was worried.
As she was right now.
“I am feeling slightly unwell,” she admitted.
“I am sorry to hear that,” he said, coming to her side and crouching before her. “Is it the baby? Our wedding? The fact that this is our wedding night? I promise, Eliza, that I have no expectations.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, unable to look at him for a reason she could not name. “Could we simply converse for a time?”
“Of course,” he said, taking her hand and helping her stand. “Why do we not sit on the bed where we are more comfortable?”
She nodded before allowing him to lead her over. He fluffed up the pillows, creating a comfortable space for her before leaning her back against them and then taking up position beside her. He didn’t touch her, giving her space as he settled one leg over the other and relaxed with his hands crossed over his stomach.
“What would you like to talk about?”
“Our ceremony?” she suggested. “It was beautiful.”
“It was,” he agreed. “Although no part of it was more beautiful than the bride.”
“You are kind,” she said, unexpected warmth stealing up her cheeks.
“I only speak the truth.”
Ithadbeen a lovely ceremony. The chapel had been aired out and yet still held a scent of history, of family, of comfort. When she had stepped within, somehow Eliza had known that everything would be all right.
“I—” she began to speak but then a wave of nausea rolled over her and she groaned, shifting so that she was on her side.
“What’s wrong?” Fitz asked, immediately kneeling over her, his hands coming to her cheeks.
“I just don’t feel well,” she said. “It comes and goes but is worse when I don’t eat as much as I should. I was so caught upin all that was happening today that I did not have much of an appetite, especially at dinner this evening.”
“I noticed,” he said, “but I wasn’t sure it was my place to say anything.”
“You are my husband now,” she said wryly. “That gives you the privilege to say whatever you would like to me.”
“That may be so, but I am well aware that you are not a woman who would be particularly pleased if I commented on your every movement.”
“This is true,” she agreed, closing her eyes and breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth as she tried to ease the sensations.
“Can I do anything to help?” he asked, and she nodded slowly.
“I could use something to eat.”
“What do you feel like?”
“Pastries,” she said. “I always feel like pastries.”
“Pastries coming right away,” he said, practically bounding to the door, and she cracked open an eye to look at him.
“You’re not calling for a servant?”
“I don’t trust anyone to select the right ones for you,” he said, holding up a finger. “I know where the cook hides her very best.”
