Mary was overbearing at times, but she was good at making life decisions. She’d tell Mary the facts—leaving out her unrequited love for Oliver, of course—receive her answer, and then go right back to feeling angry at her sister.
Elizabeth sensed an eerie feeling as she stepped inside the house. The butler’s face looked pinched. The house was quiet and dark—but that was probably due to the fact that the day was rather gray outside.
A maid hovered in a corner, her back toward Elizabeth, slowly dusting a picture frame. The butler followed Elizabeth’s gaze and the maid must have sensed it. She flashed nervous eyes over her shoulder to him, and he snapped his head back to Elizabeth. “Should my lady need anything, please do not hesitate to ring the bell.”
“Thank you.”
Something was odd. The staff looked as if they were standing on needles. Or holding their breath.
Possibly because she was stalling, Elizabeth peeked into the nursery to spend a few minutes with her niece. But the governess must have taken Jane on a walk because she was not inside. There was nothing left for Elizabeth to do but inch her way to Mary’s room. With every step, some strange awareness prickled at her. Something was definitely wrong. She couldn’t explain it. But those feeling were beginning to override her sisterly anger and pulling her down the hallway faster.
When she knocked and opened Mary’s door she found her sister lying on the bed, curled up on her side, her face in a pained expression.
Elizabeth rushed in and knelt down beside the bed. “Mary, is everything all right?”
Mary opened her eyes quickly, startled to suddenly find Elizabeth at her side. Her wincing expression fled and she gave a tiny smile. “I’m perfectly fine. What are you doing here?” Apparently Elizabeth and Mary held different definitions of perfectly fine.
“Do I really need an excuse to visit my favorite sister?”
Mary gave a ghost of a chuckle and spoke quietly. “Shall I tell Kate you said that?” Her breathing was labored.
“If you’d like. But she will simply tell you that I’ve said the same to her.”
“And Rose as well?”
“Of course.”
Mary smiled and it was plain to Elizabeth that her sister was trying to hide something. Mary was putting on her mother hen face. A tiny bit of Elizabeth’s anger poked its head up once again.
“What’s in your hand?” Mary asked, this time sounding pained.
“Oh. Actually, I have come with a bit of news and…for advice.” Elizabeth took in a deep breath, trying to gather her courage and swallow her pride. She stopped short when Mary shut her eyes tight and let out a muffled moan. Elizabeth gripped Mary’s arm. “What is it?”
Her sister shook her head, dark brown locks of hair shaking with the force of her movement. “Nothing. Everything is fine. Continue with what you were saying.”
“Why won’t you tell me what’s going on?”
Mary snapped her face to Elizabeth and her eyes were blazing. “Because it doesn’t concern you. I can take care of myself.” Of course. Typical Mary.
Sting and anger and humiliation snatched at Elizabeth. She stood up and forcefully wiped the wrinkles from her skirts. “Yes, you’ve made that perfectly clear over the years, Mary.” She walked to the door ready to bolt from the room and not look back. Mary could handle herself. Elizabeth turned back, her hand on the knob of the door. “Never you mind. I will stop trying to interfere in your life. I understand our roles perfectly now and if you don’t see me as a friend or confidant, I will stop trying to—”
Mary’s face contorted. Her body pulled up in a tight painful ball. Her hands gripped the coverlet with such force that Elizabeth wondered if her fingers would make holes.
And then suddenly, she realized.
Elizabeth’s hand fell away from the door and she rushed back to the side of the bed. “Mary,” Elizabeth took her sister’s hand and squeezed it. “It’s the baby, isn’t it? It’s time.” This must be why the maid had seemed so unnerved. She, too, knew it was time.
Mary shook her head fervently, not opening her eyes. Beads of sweat were beginning to form on her head. “No. It’s not. I’m simply not feeling well, is all.” Not feeling well? This was more than not feeling well. Elizabeth stood up.
“Where are you going?” asked Mary in a frantic tone.
“To fetch Robert. He needs to know that things are starting.”
“No! Things are not starting,” said Mary, sitting up slightly onto her elbows and piercing Elizabeth with her grey eyes. They looked feral. “Besides, he’s in parliament right now. I’m just uncomfortable, but it will pass. It’s not time yet. It’s too early.” It was early. Elizabeth knew that. But she’d also heard of women delivering children quite early before. Although the hard truth was most of those babies did not make it through delivery. Sometimes the mothers did not make it through delivery, either.
She needed to call for the doctor.
“Mary, please. I really think—”