Page 17 of Duke of Emeralds
Leonard’s expression softened slightly, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and understanding as he looked at their mother. “I know, Mother,” he said, his voice gentle and reassuring.
“We must begin the wedding preparations at once, Benedict,” Patience continued, her eyes alight with a fervor that belied her fragile state. She was oblivious to Leonard’s address of her as ‘Mother,’ her mind lost in a world where her beloved husband still lived and breathed.
Leonard’s smile was patient, but Hester could see the pain etched in the lines of his face, the sorrow that weighed heavy in his eyes. “We will, Mother,” he said. “But first, we must get you well rested so you can be at your best for the preparations and wedding, right?”
Patience nodded, her eyes glazed with a distant look. “Well rested for the wedding. Yes, yes,” she murmured, her body swaying slightly as if caught in a gentle breeze.
Just then, the maid returned with a tray bearing a steaming cup of tea. The aroma of chamomile and lavender filled the room, ascent that had always brought a sense of calm and comfort to Hester. Leonard took the cup and held it to Patience’s lips, his movements careful and tender.
“Have some of this, Mother,” he encouraged. “It’ll help you rest better.”
Thankfully, there were no more protests from Patience as she drained the cup, her hands trembling slightly as she wiped her mouth with her sleeve. Hester perched on the bed next to her brother and mother, her heart aching with a mix of sorrow and love. She pulled their mother’s skeletal hand into hers, her fingers massaging slow, soothing circles into the fragile skin.
Leonard turned to the housekeeper. “She’ll likely be asleep before the doctor comes,” he whispered. “So bring him to my office the moment he arrives.”
“Very well, My Lord,” the older woman replied. She shepherded the waiting maid out of the chambers silently and closed the door behind her, giving them the privacy they needed.
They sat with their mother for a while. Patience’s breathing gradually slowed, her body relaxing into the softness of the bed, and soon, she was asleep, her face peaceful and serene.
Leonard stood and tucked the blanket around their mother, his eyes lingering on her face for a moment longer. Hester followed suit, her heart heavy. They made their way out of the chambers and down to the drawing room.
Hester collapsed onto the sofa, her body trembling with the force of her barely restrained tears. “I’m sorry, Leo,” she whispered.
Leonard crouched before her, his hand placing a gentle, placating pressure on her knee. “Whatever for?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked at her.
“For everything,” she cried, her hands covering her face as she gave in to the sobs that had been building within her.
“I should be the one apologizing,” Leonard countered. He reached out, his hand gently brushing away the tears that had escaped her eyes, his touch a comforting warmth.
Hester sniffed. “I just stood and watched,” she whispered. She hadn’t felt this helpless in a long time, and the weight of her inability to act, to help, broke her heart. “I wish I could have done more.” Leonard shook his head, his expression softening as he looked at her.
“You did everything you could,” he reassured. “It is up to me to?—”
“Oh, do not blame yourself, Leo,” Hester cut him off. She placed a hand on his arm. “Mother’s condition is not your fault.”
Leonard’s shoulders slumped. “I know, Hester, but I only wish I could be of more help to you, dear sister.”
Hester’s heart twisted painfully in her chest at the thought of leaving her brother to bear their mother’s condition alone. “Knowing that you care is all the support both Mother and I need,” Leonard continued. “It’s all right, Hester. Everything is going to be well. Mother will be fine.”
She managed a small smile. “Let us have your cut treated now, shall we?”
CHAPTER 10
“Hester, dear, we have arrived,” Leonard said, peering out the window.
Hester’s heart leapt into her throat, her fingers tightening around her bouquet. She took a deep breath, her gloved hands in her skirts. “I am ready, Leo,” she replied.
As the carriage door opened, Hester’s breath hitched at the sight of the crowd gathered outside St. Paul’s Cathedral. The grand edifice was practically bursting with people, members of society craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom. Her fingers tightened around her bouquet of white roses and lilies, their sweet scent doing little to calm her racing heart.
“I thought you said you didn’t invite a lot of people, Leonard,” Hester said, her eyes wide as she took in the sea of faces.
Leonard paused with his hand on the carriage door handle. “I promise I didn’t, dear sister,” he replied, his gaze meeting herswith a reassuring smile. “But society is rampant with news of your marriage to Lushton. More than half the guests here invited themselves, and we cannot possibly send them away.”
Hester sighed, her stomach knotting further at the thought of facing thetonen masse. She had always preferred the quiet corners of a ballroom to the center of attention, and today, she was the center of attention.
“Now, shall we?” Leonard offered his hand to help her alight from the carriage.
Hester took a deep breath, her gloved fingers gripping her brother’s hand tightly as she stepped down. Thankfully, they took a side entrance into the cathedral, avoiding the direct onslaught of guests. The cool, dim interior of the cathedral provided a brief respite from the chaos outside, and Hester felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders.
