By the time Daniel was finished getting him ready for the day, he looked as though the previous night never happened. The way he felt was certainly a reminder, however. His head was throbbing with all the movement and hair combing it took for him to be ready. He took a deep breath as he left the guest chambers, hoping that a little bit of breakfast might ease the alcohol sickness.
He found Neil and Rachel taking breakfast in the drawing room. Neil looked up as he entered the room and gave him a wry smirk.
“Good morning, there,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
Albert tried to feign wellness, to not show weakness in front of Rachel. But her brow furrowed as she studied him, reaching for the carafe of coffee and pouring a cup, holding it out to Albert as he sat down beside Neil.
“You look rather pale,” she said, turning then to pour an extra glass of water. “I imagine you’re lacking in fluids. Drink this, and the coffee to take the edge off.”
Albert smiled warmly at Rachel. She was a genuinely kind, compassionate woman. Any other lady in the ton might have chastised him for being so irresponsible and rogue-like. But Rachel didn’t think in such context. It was easy to see why Neil loved her so as she began making him a plate full of the breakfast spread before them.
Neil chuckled, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a flask.
“Rachel is right,” he said. “You have very little experience with hangovers, but water and coffee will help. However, this,” he paused, handing Albert the flask, “will kick that headache you’ve got right in its breeches.”
Albert took the flask, looking at it warily. He didn’t want to repeat his mistake from the night before, especially before he went home. And he also didn’t want to become addicted to spirits. Still, he trusted Neil, so he opened the flask and took a big swig. The burn on his tongue mingled with the stale alcohol on his breath, and for a horrible second, Albert thought he might be sick. But the sensation didn’t last long, and Albert was able to breathe without his stomach flipping.
“Eat, dear,” Rachel said, pushing his plate of food toward him.
Albert nodded, setting aside the flask and taking the plate.
“You’re too kind,” he said.
Neil gazed at his wife with doting eyes.
“She’s just the best,” he said. “Truly, I don’t know what I would ever do without her.”
Rachel paused in her task of refilling Neil’s coffee cup and beamed at him.
“Likewise, my love,” she said.
Neil took the cup from her, putting one hand over one of hers as he did so. He put the cup down, not releasing her hand until after he had kissed it gently. She smiled at him as only a woman who truly loves a man could.
“I love you, my darling,” Neil said, reaching over to caress his wife’s swollen belly.
Rachel put her hand over his and smiled again.
“I love you more, sweetheart,” she said.
Albert pretended to be interested in his meal, but he was secretly jealous of the scene before him. He thought about the future he and Cordelia had planned together, and he felt foolish for it all. He had been mad to think that Cordelia would continue loving him after he was left scarred. No lady in the ton would want a scarred husband, even if he earned those scars by saving her life. What Neil and Rachel had would never be for him. He needed to remember that.
High pitched laughter pierced through Albert’s brooding thoughts. He looked up to see Henry rushing into the room, holding his arms out at shoulder height, making noises as he ran around the room. Albert hid a smile by taking another sip from the flask. He hadn’t thought it possible, but the additional alcohol was easing his headache and making him feel truly hungry.
Neil cleared his throat, looking at his son with a stern expression.
“Henry, mind your manners,” he said firmly. “We have a guest.”
Henry froze, turning to Albert and smiling sheepishly.
“Sorry,” he said, bowing politely. “Hello, Lord Billington.”
Albert couldn’t help chuckling.
“Good morning, young Henry,” he said. “But you know you don’t need to be so formal with me. You may call me Albert.”
The child bowed again, and Albert had to bite his tongue to keep from snickering as he toppled a bit sideways.
“Good morning, Albert,” he corrected.
