Scandal of Love by Janelle Daniels Page B

clenched her eyes, trying to rub the pain away.
    Lydia entered the parlor, her shoes clicking softly on the carpeted floors. “Cook’s and Mrs. Buttersly’s fevers have gone down. Come morning, they should be fit to return to their duties.”
    “Thank heavens.” Sera opened her eyes slightly.
    Lydia’s brows knotted. “Are you feeling well, my lady? You aren’t coming down with a fever yourself are you?” The concern was evident in her voice.
    Sera shook her head. “No. It is only a headache, but I fear I will have to cancel my appointment this evening. Would you mind fetching me a quill and paper? I will need to send my regrets.”
    “Of course.”
    After securing the items, Sera wrote a quick missive to Quinton, telling him she wouldn’t be able to make it tonight.
    “Please have that sent out immediately.”
    Lydia took the note, curtsying before she hurried out of the room to have it delivered.
    Mustering up her strength, she climbed the stairs to her room and took off the dusty dress she was wearing. The clean nightgown felt like heaven on her skin, and when she slid between the bedclothes, she closed her eyes with a sigh.
    She would feel better after she had rested.
    ***
    Quinton was finishing getting dressed for the evening when the note arrived.
    “A letter for you, my lord,” his butler said, holding it out for him.
    “Thank you. I take it that it just arrived.”
    “Yes. It was delivered by one of the Duke of Dorchester’s footmen.”
    Sera.
    Quinton nodded his thanks before the butler left. Allowing his valet to finish tying his cravat, he waited to read her letter until he had left. Not that it mattered. He assumed that a letter arriving at this time meant that she wouldn’t be able to make it.
    Opening the letter, his guess was confirmed.

    Quinton,

    I’m sorry to cancel at so late an hour, but I will not be able to make it tonight. A few members of my staff were suffering from a fever today, and I fear that I don’t feel well myself. Have a pleasant evening. I will see you soon.

    Sincerely,
    Sera

    Quinton’s heart froze. She was ill? If some of her staff had gotten a fever it was more than possible that she had caught the same sickness. Was it serious? Had a doctor been summoned?
    He re-read the letter two more times, hoping for a bit more information. None of his questions were answered.
    “Brums!”
    Seeming a bit startled, his butler came into the room. “Yes, my lord?”
    “Have the carriage readied immediately.” Brums turned quickly to do his master’s bidding.
    He had to see her, had to know how serious it was. He couldn’t say why. He just needed to know.
    Quickly climbing into the carriage, he told his driver to make haste to Sera’s house.
    She was fine. She had to be. He saw her not even two days ago, and she was in perfect health.
    Why couldn’t she have written a few more details about her situation? Did she think he wouldn’t care? Of course he did. She was his fiancée. He was obligated to care about her.
    Wasn’t he?
    It wasn’t obligation he felt for her though. He didn’t know what it was. But he was worried, growing more terrified by the moment that she might be seriously ill.
    Why were they driving so slowly? He cursed every pedestrian that had them halting, every carriage that blocked their path.
    Why was it taking so bloody long?
    He should have Dr. Whittier summoned immediately once he got there. If a doctor had already seen her, a second opinion never hurt. Plus he trusted Whittier.
    Once the carriage stopped in front of her house, he vaulted out the door and up the stairs to the large, wooden door.
    Knocking on the thick oak, he combed a hand through his hair, trying to calm his racing heart. It couldn’t be that bad. The servants didn’t seem to be in a frenzy to find doctors and nurses. He had overreacted. Everything was fine.
    Her butler answered the door, a surprised look crossing his face.
    “I would like to see Lady Sera.”
    The butler shook