had spiked again. The farmer, though asleep, shook with chills, even as his clothing seemed soaked with sweat.
“Have you been able to speak to your father today?” he asked.
“A little,” Edward responded. “Doctor Bradford told us his fever is high. His sputum is more blood than green mucus. We can’t get anything down him. Not even Cook’s broth.”
The boy looked utterly dejected. Reid’s heart went out to him.
“Why don’t we let your father get some rest? You two could use a little break from the vigil you’ve been keeping each day. Since Arthur and Harry’s parents have arrived and they will be leaving tomorrow, why don’t you come home with me now and spend some time with them? They plan to go riding later. It would do the both of you good to get some exercise.”
Doubt flickered in Edward’s eyes, which had dark circles under them from lack of sleep. Reid looked to Thomas, hoping the boy would encourage his friend. Thankfully, Thomas seemed to pick up the unspoken cue.
“Your papa is resting now, Edward. We should do as His Grace says. Besides, we won’t see Arthur and Harry for a while. It would be good to spend a little time with them.”
“All right,” Edward said. He stood and leaned over, kissing his father’s brow.
As Reid led the boys from the cottage, he told the servants, “Send word if any change occurs.”
Since the carriage wasn’t waiting for them, Reid placed both boys onto Thunder’s back and led the horse home the two miles. He could tell Edward and Thomas were excited to be in the saddle atop such a large horse.
They arrived at the stables and he told them to go wash up and find Arthur and Harry. As they started back toward the house, the boys emerged with Dalinda and Rhys.
Reid introduced the boys to the couple and before he could say anything, Arthur suggested Edward and Thomas come along on the ride.
“A splendid idea, Arthur,” he seconded. “I will tell Cook you four boys will have dinner tonight. Just yourselves with no adults.”
Harry whooped at the idea of no adult supervision and Reid told Arthur to make sure his brother behaved.
He went inside and gave Ashley the news from Dr. Bradford. She looked exhausted and he suggested she nap for a while, which she readily agreed to do.
They sat down to an early dinner with Dalinda and Rhys and adjourned to the drawing room once they finished the meal. Dalinda excused herself, an odd look on her face, and so Reid waited for her anxiously. When she did, he saw Ashlyn and Rhys were in conversation, pouring over an atlas they had pulled from a shelf, giving him a few moment alone with his stepmother.
“Are you well?” he asked, noticing she seemed pale.
She nodded and glanced to her husband. “Not really. But it’s in a good way.”
“You are with child?”
“I believe so. It’s very early. I haven’t even missed my courses yet but I will know in a few days. From having birthed Arthur and then Harry, though, the early signs are there. A bit of queasiness. Tenderness in various places.”
“You should tell Rhys,” he said.
“I will. Soon. It will be hard to hide it from him when I awaken and rush to the chamber pot to empty my belly.” A flush rose on her cheeks. “I mean . . .” Her voice trailed off.
“No need to be embarrassed because you sleep together,” he told her. “I wouldn’t have Ashlyn sleep apart from me for one night.”
“Truly?” she asked.
“Perhaps we are a different generation than our parents,” Reid said. “Perhaps someday, everyone in the ton will marry for love.” He paused. “You seem happy, Dalinda.”
She smiled radiantly. “Deliriously so. Don’t misunderstand me, Reid. Your father taught me so much. He protected me. Gave me confidence. Cared for me. But he told me from the beginning that he would always love your mother. We enjoyed a happy marriage but never loved one another.”
Dalinda gazed at her husband. “Rhys is my great love. I thank the heavens nightly for bringing him into my life. And my boys. He adores Arthur and Harry and is already a good father to them.” Her hand came to her belly. “He will love this child, too.”
“I know how much I am looking forward to when Ashlyn delivers our babe,” he said. “It will be nice that our children will be close in age.” He took her hand. “I hope we—and our families—will always be