Page 30 of Finding Hope
“We have a slight change in plans. Lady Matilda has lost her way and needs a guide back to the house. Do you mind?”
They exchanged knowing glances.
“Of course not, sir. Let me tell my sisters.”
Patience and Grace barely acknowledged her, but Joy moaned. Something about her did not look right.
“Joy?” Hope asked.
The youngest Whitford grunted in response. Max moved closer.
“She looks ill.”
Hope knelt down and put her hand on Joy’s face. “She does not feel feverish.”
Max thought she looked a little green himself, but he was no doctor.
“Pain.” Joy pointed to her stomach.
“Perhaps you had too much chocolate. We will return to the house.”
She nodded miserably, but when she tried to stand, she doubled over, grasping her middle.
Max bent over and scooped her into his arms. Thankfully, she was light and she held on to his neck. When they came down the stairs where Lady Matilda was waiting, it was clear she had not expected company on their return.
“Miss Joy has fallen ill. Forgive my haste.”
He hurried as fast as he could without jarring Joy. He didn’t look back to see if Lady Matilda was keeping up. She had found her way there, she could find her way back.
As they entered the house, he instructed Gilford to send for the doctor.
He carried Joy up to her chambers and placed her on the bed.
“Leave me,” she choked out.
Max took that as a sign that she needed privacy. Hope was right behind him as they left the room.
“She has been through so much. Hopefully, this is something minor,” Hope said in a worried tone.
“Do you think her food was spoiled?” he asked, worrying over a problem in his kitchens.
“The only thing she had which we did not was the chocolate that had been sent to my room this morning.”
“And you did not have any?”
She shook her head. “Neither did my sisters. I do not care for it.”
Max frowned. It was probably some sour milk or something one of the cows had eaten had tainted the milk. It had happened before when one of the dairy cows had become loose and gorged itself in the meadow on wild onions.
One of the chambermaids passed by, and he asked her to send up Mrs. Watson.
“Yes, my lord.” She bobbed a curtsy and hurried away.
Some retching sounds began coming from Joy’s room and Hope looked at him with anguish. “I should go to her.”
Max nodded. “I’ll send the doctor in as soon as he arrives.”
Mrs. Watson hurried up to them a minute or two later and Max told her what had happened.
