How to Heal the Marquess by Sally Forbes

Chapter Twenty-five

 

“Good day, Daisy,” the duke said, grinning brightly.

Daisy gave a silent gasp, utterly stunned to see him sitting upright in bed. For a moment, she thought to admonish him and hurry over to tuck him back in lying down. He had, after all, been at death’s door yet again only the day before. However, his skin, though still slightly paler than normal, had much more color than the day previous, and his eyes sparkled as though he was filled with renewed life. Despite the relapse the day before, Daisy could not help allowing hope to creep up on her once more.

“Good day, your lordship,” she said. “You look rather chipper today.”

The duke nodded, patting the chair beside his bed, indicating she should sit.

“I feel quite chipper,” he said. “How could I not, when I am so thrilled to see you?”

Daisy blushed, walking over to the bed and touching the duke’s forehead with a gentle hand. Even though she already knew she would feel cool, dry skin, she was still relieved to confirm it. She allowed her relief to show in her smile.

“I am glad to see you, as well,” she said. “And I am gladder still to see you doing so much better.”

Lord Berbrook waved his hand, holding his head up proudly and with effortless strength.

“I tell you, my family fusses far too much over me,” he said. “When you come to check on me, I feel less as though you are my doctor, or my babysitter, and more as if you are an old friend.”

Daisy’s heart leapt as he referred to her as a doctor. She had truly made such an impression on him with her skills that he had done so without thinking or correcting himself. It was another compliment that filled her with joy. If only the rest of London could be so easily swayed, she thought a little sadly.

“I feel the same way about you, my lord,” she said.

The duke beamed at her, reaching out and patting her hand with his warm, clean one.

“I am glad, my dear,” he said. “I would hate to think that any of your visits here are burdensome to you.”

Daisy shook her head, biting her lip. She wanted to tell him that her time spent at his home were some of the best of her life. She wanted to tell him how the family’s kind words about her medical experience made her feel accepted and appreciated, for the first time in her life. And she really wanted to mention how handsome the marquess was, and how happy she was to find herself under the same roof as him, no matter the occasion. Instead, however, she simply gave the duke a humble smile and patted his hand in return.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

None to her surprise, Lord Berbrook took a deep, steady breath, his smile widening as he did so without a struggle.

“I can say this much,” he said, raising his eyebrows, “I am quite tired of being confined to my bedchambers.”

Daisy looked at him in surprise.

“Oh, my,” she said. “Those sound like the words of a man who is on his way to recovery. And I will do my best to comply. Where is it that you wish to go?”

The duke glanced out the window with a dreamy expression.

“I long to once again be able to walk in my rose garden,” he said.

Daisy smiled sympathetically at the duke. She knew it must be making him crazy to have to sit and watch the beautiful days pass by and be unable to enjoy even a simple breeze. She thought about it for a moment before nodding.

“I’ll tell you what,” she said, grinning. “If the weather is as nice tomorrow as it is today, I will arrange for you to have a walk in the garden.”

The duke’s eyes lit up, and he gave her a smile brighter than all those she had seen from him before put together.

“I like your spirit, my dear,” he said. “That will do nicely.”

Daisy laughed.

“Very well,” she said. “It is clear that you are, indeed, feeling a great deal better. Are you still feeling tightness in your chest?”

The duke took a deep breath. He let out a slight cough, then shrugged.

“Not as much, my dear,” he said. “And it no longer pains me when I do cough.”

Daisy was listening closely to his chest. Though there was still some congestion and a slight wheeze, he did sound a bit better than the day before. She hoped he would, in fact, be able to take the walk she had promised him the following day.

“That is wonderful news, my lord,” she said. “I brought along a herbal tea to help soothe the remaining troubles in your chest. If you like, I can pour you some.”

The duke nodded, looking to the tea, which she had already prepared.

“Yes, please,” he said, licking his lips. “I do so love your herbal concoctions. They are undoubtedly the most delicious medicines I have ever tasted. I still find it difficult to believe they are designed to heal the sick.”

Daisy blushed as she leaned over the duke.

“That they earn such high praise from you is a testament to how palatable they are,” she said humbly, repositioning his pillows so he could sit in a more inclined position.

The duke chortled.

“Palatable?” he asked incredulously. “My dear, I believe you could open a shop selling your herbal brews alone, and it would be among the most successful businesses in all of London.”

Daisy’s cheeks grew hotter still as she bit her lip.

“I have never received such high praise as I have since meeting your family,” she said, turning to pour the tea.

The duke looked at her in surprise as she handed the cup to him.

“That is a true shame,” he said, shaking his head. “People must be blind to your talents. And talented you most certainly are.”

Eagerly, Lord Berbrook sipped his tea, nodding his approval instantly. Daisy took a moment to consider his praise and collect herself. Truly, it was the most she had ever been complimented in all her years of helping her father.

“It is an honor to hear such kind words,” she said, her humble blush deepening. “I know that I certainly love tending to patients. And it is a wonderful feeling when I am able to help them get well again. There is no greater joy in life, in my opinion. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I do.”

The duke nodded.

“You are the blessing to the medical field,” he said. “Of that, I can assure you.”

Daisy smiled again, saying a silent word of thanks to the heavens.

“Thank you kindly, my lord,” she said. “What would you like to do now?”

Lord Berbrook thought for a moment.

“Would you mind reading to me, my dear?” he asked.

Daisy’s smile brightened further. She herself enjoyed reading, but she had little time to indulge when she and her father had patients as sick as Lord Berbrook to tend to.

“I would be delighted,” she said, rising quickly from her seat. “What would you like me to read.”

The duke clasped his hands together atop his stomach. He coughed, but only so he could clear his throat.

“Poetry, I believe,” he said. “I do so enjoy listening to someone recite poetry.”

Daisy giggled.

“That is quite the coincidence,” she said. “I rather enjoy reciting poetry. I believe it will make for a lovely afternoon.”

The duke clapped.

“Very good,” he said with a great deal of infectious enthusiasm. “Shall we begin?”

Daisy nodded.

“I shall just go and fetch a book from the library, and then we shall, indeed, begin.”

Quickly, she rushed to the library. The manor was quiet, and she pushed away the disappointment of the marquess’s absence. She hurried to the library, selecting an anthology of poetry. Then, she raced back up the stairs and back to the duke’s bedchambers, where he awaited her with an eager smile.

They did, indeed, spend the entire afternoon enjoying nearly all the poems in the book. Daisy did love reading poetry, but it had been some time since she had recited any. But she loved reciting poetry just as much as she did reading it alone, and she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

The duke had three cups of Daisy’s herbal tea, and he even joined in the recitation of some of the poetry she read. It felt as though they were rehearsing for a stage performance, and the afternoon flew by before she knew it. She could hardly wait to tell her father about how much the duke’s health had improved. Perhaps now, they could truly consider the worst of the illness over.

When the duke began to rub his eyes, Daisy took his teacup from his hands and helped him recline by adjusting his pillows once more. He gave her a tired, grateful smile as he settled back into the bed.

“I shall go and return this book to the library, your lordship,” she said. “I won’t be but a moment. Is there anything else you need while I am downstairs?”

The duke shook his head slowly, rubbing a hand across his forehead.

“No, dear,” he said, stifling a yawn. “I shall be awaiting your return.”

Daisy nodded and winked.

“Very good,” she said. “I would hate to miss out on that walk in the garden if you should decide to take it without me.”

The duke chuckled softly.

“I would not dream of it, Daisy, dear,” he said.

Daisy smiled, then turned and left the room. She slowed her pace this time, as she could tell the duke was rather tired, and she expected him to be fast asleep when she returned to his bedchambers. Perhaps if she delayed that just long enough, he would be settled into a comfortable, deep sleep, so she would not disturb him by opening the bedchamber door. She made her way to the library and back in no hurry at all. As she once more ascended the stairs, she began to make plans for their walk the following day. Perhaps she could even arrange a small picnic. The duke would need his strength for such an excursion after being so terribly ill.

But when she opened the door to the duke’s bedchambers, all her hopes vanished in an instant. Lord Berbrook was struggling to breathe, and his face was a deep crimson. She stood in horror, praying her eyes were playing tricks on her. But when she heard a loud, pained gasp, she forced herself into action. She rushed over to the duke’s bedside, instantly feeling his head. It burned like a hearth fire, and she could feel him trembling.

After an agonizing moment, Lord Berbrook managed to catch his breath. She uttered a hushed sob of relief as the gasping subsided and some of the redness began to leave the duke’s face. His shaking gradually faded, as well, but his fever raged higher than ever before. Daisy bit her lip, hurriedly preparing a cold wet cloth and placing it on his forehead.

“I will be back directly, my lord,” she said, forcing herself to sound as reassuring as possible. “Everything will be all right.”

She then once more hurried down the stairs, nearly getting tangled up in the hem of her dress as she ran. She quickly found the butler, grabbing onto him with more force than she intended.

“Daisy, what is it?” he asked, instantly seeing her alarm, his own rapidly showing in his eyes.

“Send for my father at once,” she said, breathless. “I think we are losing Lord Berbrook.”