Page 48 of Earl of Excess
“That is good thinking. Let’s get what we need and return,” Grandmère whispered.
They stopped by the kitchen and prepared a small basin of water. Bethany carried the basin, and her grandmother carried the towels. When they arrived in the room, Matthew was eating some of the cornbread from dinner, as Dandie eyed every piece. “This bread you call cornbread is delicious,” he said, ladling some butter on the top of Grandmère’s skillet creation. “It has a grainy consistency and is very enjoyable.” He took a swallow of his tea. “We do not have this in England.”
“Cornbread?” Bethany was astonished with his excitement over something she took for granted. Grandmère served it at least three times a week. As Bethany thought about it, she realized Grandmère had a talent for it as her own efforts usually ended up with a much dryer result. In contrast, her grandmother’s cornbread was moist.
“Yes! Your aunt brought me some food while you were away. I am famished, and Dandie acts like she expects a share,” he chuckled.
“That is a wonderful sign,” agreed Grandmère. “But Dandie is only making sure that you eat it all.” She winked.
“Yes,” agreed Bethany. “Dandie has been worried. She has rarely left your side all week.”
“I have never known an animal to take such an interest in me,” Matthew mused. He handed the small dog a little piece of the bread.
“You will spoil her,” warned Grandmère, good-naturedly. “I need to return to the kitchen to clean it.”
As her grandmother left, Sinclair and her aunt followed, leaving Bethany and Dandie with Matthew.
“I’m glad you are awake, Matthew. I have been anxious. The fever has not been kind to you.”
He pushed a hand through his hair. “I feel positively wrung out,” he despaired. “And you and Dandie are good for my spirits. Please stay.” He patted the bed.
Bethany walked up and sat across from him in the chair.
“Ah,” he said, smiling. “I think I get it.”
“I will place the water here. There are some towels and soap. Perhaps you want to clean up a little,” Bethany returned with a smile and wrinkling her nose. “I think you might like a little privacy. Perhaps I can visit in a half-hour?”
He gestured towards the basin with a smirk. “I must first make myself more presentable, and then, we have much to catch up on, I think.”
As she started to pull the door closed behind her, she heard Dandie jump from the bed to follow her. “Ah... we are both going to give you privacy,” she chuckled. She looked at his bright eyes and smiling face and fought the impulse to hug him. Instead, she pulled the door closed behind her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
A week later
Matthew awoke feelingstronger still. He learned how lucky he was to have survived the fever, especially in his weakened state. Sinclair left for New Orleans the day after he had awakened. The man was superb company and provided much information about the state of the war—which, thank goodness, had ended! That news alone was worth celebrating. They would do it when he returned. Sinclair said it had been over five years since he had been home. He hoped he could convince him to return to England. He and his father had been friends since their school days. It would be grand to surprise his father.
A lump formed in his throat when he thought of his family. His brother, Jason, would be nine and his sister would already be out in Society looking for a husband. She could even be married by now, at twenty years of age. He hoped she would find a kind man—one that could deal with her temper. He laughed at the notion. Charlotte was a beauty with a big heart. Whomever Charlotte married would be a lucky man, indeed. If they weren’t good to her... he let the thought drop. Spring was well underway. Matthew needed to return home soon. He sensed a reticence about leaving. Something aboutherealso felt like home. He felt torn.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Come in. I am decent,” he replied with a slight laugh. Things seemed so informal. He rather liked it. Grandmère put her head in. “I cleaned the razor and mixed up some more soap for you. My husband, Ned, always said the liquid soap was good for shaving. I thought you might like to have some for your ablutions.”
“Yes. That’s thoughtful. I am trying to look less like a man who has been lost in the woods for months,” he chuckled.
The older woman returned his smile. “You have,” she said, placing the items on the bureau. “Should I close your door?”
“No. Please let it stay open. Dandie makes herself at home between my room and Bethany’s. Also, the open door keeps me from feeling so isolated. After being in bed so long, I find I enjoy the company that much more.”
“Bethany mentioned you might go fishing.”
“Yes. That is the plan. I hope it is a relaxing adventure and one which does not require me to wrestle any snakes or alligators,” Matthew returned with a chuckle.
“I think that might be a good possibility,” Grandmère replied. “Break your fast when you are ready.”
He stared at his reflection in the looking glass. His eyes were sunken, and he was still pale. He hoped sunshine and fresh air would solve it. He lifted his shirt and noticed the line of stitches Bethany had made on his side. The even line of stitches was still pink and raised, but no longer angry. He could tell they had gone down a lot, and hopefully that meant the healing had progressed considerably beneath them. He no longer ached where the wound had been, and the thread had long since fallen off. His body needed to regain his strength, but that would come with patience.
His stomach growled, and he set down the glass.
