Author's Note: I meant this to be a one-shot, but a few readers asked me to continue it and so I have. Please let me know if you are still enjoying it and would like me to continue.
Further Down the Line Chapter 3
Mary found herself seated next to Sybil at dinner. For once, she was pleased that Matthew was not seated next to her as she did not want him observing her too carefully tonight. Although she did not feel violently ill like she had in the morning, Mary still did not have any appetite and felt rather like she was on a boat that was constantly shifting beneath her. She managed to eat a little during the first course and pushed the rest of the food around on her plate to make it appear that she had eaten more than she actually had. She knew that Matthew would be watching like a hawk even from his place across the table and she did not want to give him additional cause to question her.
Matthew was not fooled by Mary's little ploy. He was certain that she had eaten no more than three or four bites and was merely moving the rest of her food around. His concern for her well being was mounting.
When the second course arrived, Mary was careful to serve herself only a small portion of the fish offered by Carson. Alfred followed behind Carson and before she could stop him, he ladled Hollandaise sauce over her fish. She immediately felt the nausea that had become all to familiar in the past few days. She tried a few deep breaths in an attempt to fight back the urge to be sick, but it proved to be of no avail. "Please excuse me, I don't feel well," she said as she rose and rushed from the room with her hand over her mouth just in case.
Matthew quickly stood to follow her, but Sybil stood at the same time and laid a hand on his arm. "Please let me," she said.
He nodded and sat back down, thinking that Mary would likely be more comfortable allowing Sybil to tend to her since she seemed so adverse to the idea of allowing him to care for her at this time. Knowing that still did not make it any easier as he could not help but remember the last time a woman he cared for had left the dinning room after saying that she did not feel well.
Sybil found Mary in the nearest bathroom on her knees gripping the sides of the toilet as she vomited. Sybil quickly stepped back into the hallway to see Anna lingering there with a worried look on her face.
"Is this the first time?" Sybil asked. Anna looked uncomfortable and did not answer. "It is okay Anna. I need to know so I can help her, and whatever you tell me won't go any further."
"She has been sick every morning for the past four mornings."
"I see. Please fetch a glass of water and a cool cloth. Make sure the fire in her room is well lit and that her bed is turned down."
"Right away my lady."
Sybil re-entered the bathroom to find Mary still clutching the toilet but no longer in the process of being sick. "It was the smell of the Hollandaise wasn't it?"
"How did you know," Mary asked, lifting her head to meet Sybil's eyes.
"When I first became pregnant I could not handle the smell of eggs for months, fish was even worse, and Heaven help me if I smelled cheese."
"But I'm not…"
"Oh Mary dear, I am almost certain you are. You have looked so pale and tired. Anna says you have been you have been sick for days - no don't blame her, I forced her to tell. When did you have your last cycle?"
"Three months ago, on my honeymoon, but I have never been regular. Doctor Clarkson said he could not be sure that I was pregnant."
"Well take it from a nurse and a pregnant woman, you my dear sister, are pregnant." Mary swallowed hard but in truth was not surprised by Sybil's conclusion.
"You don't seem to have any of the symptoms I am experiencing."
"Not now, but I did in the beginning. It will pass in a few weeks - I promise."
Anna arrived and offered Mary the water and cloth to wipe her face. Mary gratefully took the items offered and gulped down the water.
"Now, Anna and I are going to help you to your room. You need to sleep - it is very important in the beginning." Mary nodded and allowed Anna and Sybil help her to her feet. Once in her room, she allowed Anna to dress her in a nightgown and braid her hair before climbing into bed. "Sybil, please don't say anything. Tell them I have the flu. Wait no not the flu - that will upset Matthew too much. Just say it is a minor stomach ailment."
"Of course. It is your secret to share in your own time," Sybil said with a soft smile as she turned out the lights and pulled the door closed.
"How is she?" Matthew asked as soon as Sybil returned to the dinning room.
"She is sleeping now. She will be just fine."
"Are you certain? It could be the flu. Perhaps we should call Dr. Clarkson."
"Matthew, I can assure you that she will be just fine. She ate something that disagreed with her. It is as simple as that. There is nothing that Dr. Clarkson can do for her."
"You are certain it is not the flu?" he asked, giving voice to his deepest fear.
"No, it is not the flu. She has no fever, no chills. Her stomach is simply upset. Rest is the best thing for her."
Matthew took some comfort in Sybil's words, but he knew would not feel calm until he checked on Mary himself. He forced himself to remain in his seat through the rest of dinner service, but excused himself as soon as the last plate was removed. He hurried to their room to check on Mary. He was relieved to find her sleeping peacefully. He felt her forehead to confirm Sybil's words and thankfully found no trace of fever. He quickly changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed with her. He pulled her in to his arms, trying his best not to wake her but needing the feel of her against his skin to reassure him that she was indeed well.
"Matthew," he heard her murmur when she felt his touch.
"Shhh darling. I am here. Go back to sleep," he said, kissing the top of her head.
"I am so sorry I ruined dinner."
"Don't be. It was my fault really. I knew you weren't feeling well and should have insisted that you did not go down for dinner."
"Don't blame yourself. I would not have listened, even if you had insisted - especially if you had insisted" she said and he could feel her smile against his chest.
"No my stubborn girl, you probably wouldn't have listened," he admitted. "Are you feeling any better?"
"Much better, just tired."
"You just go to sleep then. We can talk in the morning."
"You need not stay with me. You can't be tired yet. It is hours before we normally sleep. You can go back and visit with everyone or play billiards with Tom or …."
"Mary, you don't feel well. I am staying with you, and that is the end of the discussion." He expected her to fight him on this, but was pleased when she pressed a quick kiss to his lips and laid her head back against his chest and quickly drifted off.