Page 8 of Foolish Bride
“Of course.” Michael’s throat closed around the words.
Malmsbury opened the door, bowed, and clomped down the hall.
Michael clenched his fists and pummeled the mattress. Pain shot through him. His legs jerked with agony, and he rolled to his side.
Thomas Wheel rushed into the room and eased him back onto the pillows. “Hang on, Mike. I’ll get your nurse with some laudanum.”
Gripping the arm of his oldest friend, Michael shook his head. “Just wait. It will pass. I hate that stuff. Give me a minute.”
When he opened his eyes, Thomas sat in the chair Elinor’s father had avoided. His eyebrows raised and his legs spread in front of him, he looked ready to either relax or run for help, whichever was needed. “Better?”
Michael steadied his breath. “I lost my temper. It was foolish even in the privacy of my own thoughts.”
Nodding, Tom leaned forward. “I passed Malmsbury in the hall.”
“He came to inform me of the dissolution of my engagement. Though, he never actually said the words.”
Thomas pounded the chair arm. “Cowardly to come at this time. You had a contract. He at least could have waited until you have properly healed. Bad form to hit a man when he’s down.”
“He’s only protecting Elinor.” Saying it out loud made it a bit more believable.
“If that were true, you wouldn’t have nearly killed yourself with the loss of your temper. You would die to protect that girl. What does she say about it?” Tom stared at him with intense green eyes, his military training looking for any tidbit to twist in their favor.
“She wrote to me this morning asking after my health. She made no mention of her father or her wishes. I assume she will be happy to find a more appropriate husband now that she comes from a titled family.”
Tom leaned back. “I doubt that’s the case. Elinor Burkenstock is devoted to you.”
The agony shooting down his legs was nothing compared to the pain of losing Elinor. It was his own stupidity that led him to this. He should have stayed home and never taken one last assignment. “Devotions change in the face of power and money.”
Tom pounded on the chair again. “I will not believe that. Look at all you have accomplished. Your father left this world and you with more liability than any man can overcome, and yet you paid off his debt and even managed to save the family home in the country.”
“I appreciate your loyalty, but I have not done much. Stonehouse is a nice townhome, but it cannot compare to what an earl or a duke can provide for Elinor.”
Tom shook his head. “Write to her. Tell her how you feel and see if she feels the same. Do not let your chance at happiness slip away because Malmsbury is a greedy fool.”
“Elinor deserves a better life than I can provide, Tom. Even if my finances were enough, the doctors say it is unlikely I’ll ever father children. I can never be a proper husband to her.”
Tom fidgeted, but kept his gaze locked on Michael. “You should trust her enough to make that choice on her own. Give her the opportunity to show you how much she loves you. I believe you will be happy with her.”
It was too much. “You should go now. I am tired, and perhaps a draft of laudanum is just the thing I need.”
Tom touched his arm. “I can stay and keep you company, Mike.”
Even shaking his head increased the misery that took over his body and soul. “It will be better if I am alone. Besides, I cannot get my mother to leave Stonehouse no matter how I try. Go now. I’ll be fine.”
Tom rose and squeezed his shoulder. “I will return tomorrow to check in on you.”
Michael closed his eyes and waited for the door to shut behind his friend. He sank down into the pillows as his despair enveloped him.
Mother arrived with his draft of bitter laudanum. He took it without argument, letting the drug blot out his sorrow and make him forget his desperation.
The pain in the lower half of his body persisted, but his care about it fuzzed and faded until he no longer focused on anything and oblivion took him away.
Chapter 2
Elinor should have been a bride that morning. Instead, she stared out the window at the street as drizzle soured her already miserable mood.
Virginia entered, pulling on her gloves. “Why don’t you come and pay a few calls with me, Elinor?”
