Ada & The Queen (The Woodhouse Series #3)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

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*Woodhouse Residence, Belgravia*

Emerson watched his wife as the doctor checked over her. After having some good days, she had taken a turn for the worst and collapsed in his arms when he helped her out of her bath.

"Lady Porthleven..." Charlotte lay with pillows all around her as she looked at the doctor. "You have to take it slow. I recommended bed rest..."

"I have not left the house!"

"But you have to be resting. You have to be careful. When was the last time you ate?"

Charlotte touched her head. "Uhm...I have not eaten anything..."

Emerson's eyes went wide. "I beg your pardon? The maids have not been feeding you?" He was about to march out, but Charlotte called him back.

"It's not their fault. They do not know. I have hidden it well..."

The doctor sighed. "Lady Porthleven...it is vital you eat and drink."

"It is difficult..." She replied. "It does not stay down."

The doctor nodded. "The lack of food can explain why you collapsed. You must eat, no matter how little. It is not healthy for you or the baby..."

After a few more passive words, the doctor left and Emerson sat with his wife, taking her hand. "My love...why did you not tell me?"

"Because me being here, in this state, is already a burden on you and I do not want to burden you anymore..."

"You are my wife. You will never be a burden..." Emerson kissed her hands. "We will try everything. Every food and whatever it is that you can keep down, will be what you eat, promise me?"

Charlotte nodded, releasing a shaky breath from her tears as Emerson engulfed her in a hug, before kissing her and her swollen stomach.

***

Emerson descended the stairs and found Theodore in the family room, with papers everywhere. "You have a study, for this exact reason!"

"Study is booked by Elizabeth so I am relegated down here..." He replied as he looked at the papers. "How is Charlotte?"

"Apparently, not eating, which is why she collapsed..." Emerson leaned on the door frame as Theodore frowned. "She says she cannot keep the food down and has been lying to the staff." Emerson sighed. "She is getting sicker as we get closer to the end. I do not know what to do."

"Support her and be there for her..." Theodore said. "It is all you can do."

There was knocking on the front door. "Expecting someone?" Emerson asked as Theodore shook his head.

There was talking, a lady's voice that entered the guest living room as someone came up the stairs. "Dr Woodhouse, Lord Porthleven..." Gideon said, standing on the landing. "There is a guest downstairs."

Emerson and Theodore headed down where a woman was waiting, Emerson, stopped in his tracks as he recognised her instantly.

"Lady Buckingham..."

Almina Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham turned to face the Woodhouse men who had upturned her life all those years ago. She had a permanent pout with a snide look, but the rest of her face, although aged, was exactly like her only daughter and youngest child, Charlotte.