The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Drink this, my lord,” Susan urged her husband softly, bringing the warm porcelain bowl closer to his lips. ”This tonic will help ease your pain.”

Wilfred swallowed the bitter herbal mixture with a weak grimace, while Roseline watched her father from the bedside, her eyes filled with distress.

”Madam, Her Grace the Duchess has arrived,” a maid announced from the doorway.

”Roseline, go and bring your sister up,” Susan instructed her daughter gently as she dabbed her husband’s lips with a cloth. ”Eilika has returned,” she whispered close to Wilfred’s ear, watching as a faint, relieved smile touched his pale face.

A few moments later, rapid footsteps approached, followed by Eilika’s anxious voice calling out, ”Father!”

She hurried into the chamber, her cloak fluttering behind her. Susan immediately stepped aside to give her room, allowing her to draw close to Wilfred’s side.

Eilika then turned her gaze toward the physicians standing nearby, who quickly rose to their feet and bowed.

One of the doctors stepped forward. ”Your Grace, Sir Wilfred is suffering from a lung infection. The necessary medicine is available only in the capital, but rest assured, we have already dispatched a fast courier for it. It should arrive by tomorrow morning.”

Relieved by the physician’s words, Eilika pulled a chair close to the bedside and took a seat. ”Father, you will be fine. The medicine is already on its way.”

Susan carefully helped Wilfred fit a linen cloth mask over his face, looking up with a worried expression. ”The doctors advised us to remain cautious. They fear the infection could spread and compromise your health as well, Duchess.”

”Her Grace ought to maintain a safe distance from the patient for the time being,” the second physician added, bowing slightly.

Eilika shook her head, reaching out without hesitation to squeeze Wilfred’s hand. ”Nothing will happen to me, Father.”

”I know, my child,” Wilfred murmured behind the mask, gently pulling his hand from her grasp. ”Still, you must step back, Duchess. You need to protect your health,” he insisted, his voice raspy but firm. ”I told Susan this illness is a minor setback. Once the medicine arrives from the capital tomorrow, I shall recover in no time.”

Eilika nodded softly and obliged, taking a few steps backward. A lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed her tears, determined to remain strong in front of her father.

”I would like to speak with you both outside,” Eilika told the physicians, turning to lead the way out of the room.

She walked a considerable distance from the room, ensuring their voices would not carry back to her father. ”Tell me the truth. Will my father truly be fine?” she demanded, her eyes searching theirs.

”Given his age, the medicine will act gradually, Your Grace,” the first physician replied carefully. ”It ultimately depends on his body’s strength. However, the infection has not yet reached a critical stage, so we remain confident in his recovery, though he will likely endure lingering weakness for quite some time. Rest assured, we shall do everything in our power to restore his health.”

”Thank you,” Eilika breathed, releasing a breath she had been holding. ”Your words bring immense relief to my heart.”

She glanced toward the bedchamber door just as Susan and Roseline stepped into the hallway, shutting the wooden door softly behind them.

Eilika excused herself and walked downstairs, flanked by Susan and Roseline.

”How did his condition turn so grave?” Eilika asked, turning to face them as they reached the lower hall. ”I knew Father’s health was fragile when I last visited, but this seems far worse.”

”Father began smoking heavily after his confrontation with you,” Roseline confessed, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. ”Mother and I pleaded with him repeatedly to stop, but he refused to listen to either of us.”

Tears silently spilled down Susan’s cheeks, sending a sharp sting of guilt and sorrow through Eilika.

”Father was the one who initiated that argument with me,” Eilika murmured softly, before shaking her head. ”Regardless, dwelling on past grievances serves no purpose now. He will pull through this. My husband has already dispatched a messenger to the palace requesting the presence of the royal physician. Father will receive the finest care available.”

”Thank you, Your Grace,” Susan murmured, dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief. ”May I have the kitchen prepare some warm tea for you before you leave?”

”No, thank you, Madam. I must head back, but I shall return first thing tomorrow morning,” Eilika replied gently. ”Seeing Father with my own eyes has brought peace to my heart. Thank you for writing to me.”

”I knew Your Grace would be deeply upset if you were to learn of his condition after the fact. Besides, I’m more worried for Roseline amongst all this chaos,” Susan murmured, pressing her handkerchief beneath her eyes. ”You touched your father’s hands earlier. You must wash them thoroughly. Roseline, escort the Duchess.”

Roseline stood up immediately, guiding Eilika down the hall to the washroom.

As Eilika lathered her hands with soap and dried them on a fresh towel, she glanced at her younger sister in the mirror. ”How are you holding up?”

”I have been doing well,” Roseline replied softly.

”I recall Madam mentioning a match for you. You were meant to marry soon, were you not?” Eilika asked.

”Ah, that,” Roseline said, looking down. ”I turned down the proposal that arrived last week.”

”Why? Was the man not to your liking?” Eilika inquired gently.

”I have seen him flitting about town, flirting with half the women in the city,” Roseline confessed. ”I could not bring myself to accept such a man.” She paused, searching Eilika’s face. ”Is Your Grace bringing this up because Father is ill?”

”No, his illness is not the reason I asked,” Eilika reassured her. ”Your mother worries for your future, perhaps more than you realize. She simply wishes to see you settled and secure. Still, I am glad you rejected a man of poor character. Do not let yourself feel pressured into a marriage, especially at a time like this.”