"Ah, Misselthwaite-our home." Lilias said as the carriage approached the gate.
"Archie, might we go and see our garden first?"
"Of course, Angel."
The carriage driver dropped the couple off closer to the east lawn near the garden trails.
At the gate, Lilias caught sight of a gardener-Ben.
Lilias spouted on of plans to continue to build up their Eden with curtains and fountains of Roses and many more varieties of bulbs and seeds. She removed her hat and let her hair down. She began clearing some weeds with the gardener all the while continuing discussing her plans. Archie was pale, dizzy, and nauseous from the carriage ride. He would deny Lilias nothing. Her face lit up when she spoke of her plans. Ben and a few other gardeners brought in the dirt, rakes, spades, and clippers. Archie joined her in creating the clean earth spaces filling them with fresh dirt. Lilias noticed Archie looked pale and weak, so she inquired as to how he was feeling. He assured her he was well. Several times she thought perhaps they should return to the house, but Archie insisted that they continue and that they not stop for him.
"Welcome home, Milord...and... Milady." Medlock greeted them at a smaller side entrance to the manor.
"Thank you, Medlock. There's no place like home. Good to be back." Archie responded.
Medlock noticed the couple's good travel clothing was covered in dirt and grass stains.
"You must forgive the state of us-only we went straight to the garden. You see, I only saw it once before but missed it so and have a grand plan to make it even more beautiful- if that is possible." Lilias was smiling with bright eyes of imagination.
Medlock gazed at her master's pale face. "Don't you think the two of you should have rested a bit first before performing such labors after so great a journey?"
Archie stepped up across the threshold arm in arm with his bride clutching his cane to his other side. Suddenly, he seemed to slightly lose his balance. His legs started shaking. Medlock spoke not a moment too soon.
"Darling?" Lilias inquired. Lilias could sense that his legs went a bit limp.
" 'Tis nothing. Only the carriage ride...I haven't gotten my landlegs back quite yet, I suppose." Then, Archie drew in a deep breath as if he was trying to hold back an expression of pain.
"My love, you should lie down."
"Yes, forgive me, sweetheart, I think I..." Suddenly, Archie nearly collapsed-if it weren't for Mr. Leclair, his valet, who held him up.
Medlock, in a panic, gasped loudly clutching her hand to her chest.
"Allow me, Milord." Leclair spoke kindly.
He guided Archie through the doors of the drawing room to help him lie down upon the sofa.
"Mr. Leclair, would you fetch Dr. Craven..." Medlock ordered.
"I'm fine..." Archie spoke quietly.
"It's his circulation," Medlock said, "we'll need the machine..."
Lilias responded by beginning to massage Archie's legs. "Pehaps, if it would help..."
Medlock interrupted, "Stop!" Medlock screamed and then spoke with a calmer voice. "Milady, Dr. Craven will know what to do."
Aisling spoke, "Mrs. Medlock, she's his wife. He's her husband. There's nothing improper in her tending to him."
Medlock was shocked. "Insolent girl!" She yelled again.
Archie interjected through his pain, "Silence, Medlock! Don't chide her-neither the girl nor especially my wife deserve your disrespect."
"Forgive me, Sir. I thought it best to leave the remedy and prescription for your care up to your brother-the doctor." Medlock humbled herself as she spoke looking down and slightly bowing.
"Stop all this fuss. I just need to close my eyes just for a bit." Archie rested for half an hour there on the sofa. Then, he tried to rise.
Apparently the search for Dr. Craven was unsuccessful.
"Gregory, I must indeed climb the stairs. I wish to lie down in my bed. I'm sure I can manage-well, with a little assistance perhaps. Forgive me."
Lilias and Gregory each held to one side of Archie.
As they reached the floor to his chambers. He hissed, moaned, and cried out in pain.
He was experiencing a back spasm.
"Mr. Leclair, would you draw my husband a hot bath quick as you can?"
Lilias removed Archie's coat and threw it on the floor. His body seized up. He managed to stumble to the bedroom though Lilias was trying to support him, so he wouldn't totally lose his balance and fall.
"Here, try to lie down, my love." Lilias guided him.
He lay back on the bed eyes shut in pain, and she began to undress him-starting with ascot, then unbuttoning his waistcoat and untucking his shirt from his trousers. She knew he was in too great a state of agony to undress himself.
Archie moaned sharply.
His body seemed to convulse. He arched his back.
Neville appeared in the doorway to the bedroom.
"Medlock heard his cries and was panicking. She found me herself."
Neville started towards Archie with a syringe. "Wait! What are you giving him?" Lilias then became worried when it seemed to put Archie right to sleep in 10 seconds.
"Something akin to Morphine to relieve the pain, but a sedative." These attacks are severe. He needs to rest."
"You would sedate him?" Lilias's eyes were filled with sadness.
"Really. Was that necessary, Dr. Craven?"
"Do you question my judgment, Mr. Leclair?"
Gregory looked away.
Neville was agitated by the lover's gaze Lilias was giving Archie as she took the hand of her husband in hers so tenderly. He wished Lilias would look at him the way she did her husband.
Neville then could no longer keep his wits about him for jealousy consumed him in these moments.
"This was to be expected, Lilias. He's worn out from your journey and many other exertions. The honeymoon was indeed too much for his body to take. I'm sure you haven't got much rest-the pair of you. I can only assume...His body is not healthy enough for vigorous relations. I had hoped you would understand that."
Lilias was embarrassed and offended, because Neville spoke as if she had no care for her husband's physical health, and he spoke of her and Archie's physical intimacy as if he was certain of its perpetualness.
Neville's voice grew angry- no longer proper and calm. "I knew this would happen. Archie undoubtedly indulged in his desires and lust for you-even to his own physical detriment. Lilias, I must speak plainly. It's understood that my brother wouldn't have obeyed my instructions or recommendations and that you would submit to him. Consummation of the marriage was necessary, but that is all! I say it again-physically, his body is not healthy enough for such exertions. His deformed skeleton is placing a great deal more pressure on his heart as well-beyond the endless piercing pain in his back and shoulders. I must speak frankly concerning the grave matter of his health. Sexual arousal will obviously never be an issue. He needs no...encouragement. He's besotted with you. His infatuation and lust for you is unhealthy. With his affliction, every exertion is more laboured. His organs are weakened. His heart is not healthy enough however rapidly his body is prepared and ready for the physical act. I can only presume that incessant physical intimacy and no rest with you has triggered the spasms. The truth of the matter is his health may not permit him ever to give you a child for some time now."
Lilias's face lost all color. Her heart sank in her chest at his accusations and conclusions.
This was not a private conversation as Gregory Leclair had not left the room. He was standing nearby. She would not believe Neville's words. It was not lust but true love. Archie never selfishly ravished her body. He was so tender waiting for Lilias to respond to his every touch or motion. There was a gentle, loving passion in his kisses. Lilias's mind flashed back for a moment to the times Archie's body entered her own. He was so kindly concerned for her comfort and pleasure more so than his own-so tender in his movements and always looking at her with the kindest eyes-nothing but love pouring from them. His eyes were so soulful, and he held her body to his so delicately. She remembered how his arms gracefully surrounded her after they made love-drawing the covers around her and caressing her. Archie was truly a giver and not a taker.
In any case, how dare Neville claim or assume to know their most private and intimate of moments. Her cheeks had now become stained with streaming tears. She brought her husband's hand to her lips and kissed it with such sweetness and love. She had not yet the courage to respond to Neville's tirade.
Leclair had an uncomfortable look upon his face throughout Neville's lecture. He came to Lilias's defense.
"How dare you speak to the Lady of Misselthwaite in this way! How dare you make such claims! DO NOT PRESUME TO KNOW WHAT IS PRIVATE AND BETWEEN THEM ALONE..." Gregory Leclair was infuriated.
"Firstly, valet, do you dare raise your voice to me, your better? I speak to her as her husband's brother and physician." He paused then continued in a more rational tone. "You see, Mr. Leclair, my brother has had no woman before Lilias. His obsession with her is worrying. Not healthy at all. It is obsession and obsession turns to lust and dependency. She becomes his drug."
Lilias outburst, "No! Our love is deep, constant, and true. It is of the soul. We are equal. WE LOVE EACH OTHER EQUALLY! Our love for each other is one and the same. Why would you say such things against him? Me? Us? Why?"
Gregory Leclair then began to speak trying to hold back the disgust and hatred he now felt for Dr. Neville Craven that tried to seep like venom through to his blood.
"It is not the Lady's fault!" Leclair angrily retorted.
Lilias could feel an ache in her chest as she tried to speak.
Crying, she spoke. "I will admit that I am to blame for Archie's condition. It is my fault. You see, we were in the garden." Lilias's voice chimed innocently.
"In the garden?" Neville spoke.
"Yes, I was so keen to look after the Roses..." Her voice soft like a lullaby.
"Roses." Neville repeated.
"It was completely selfish of me. How could I not have seen how exhausted Archie was in the carriage? We should have come directly into the house to rest for today. It is I who am to blame. Only me. Not Archie."
Neville seemed somewhat or slightly placated by her admission but only because of the one goal he kept in mind-what he had aimed for.
"You must know that physical intimacy with Archie-your husband- in these next weeks is forbidden! It places too much strain upon his body. Heart and skeleton. Do you understand? He lives in a fragile state of health. You must respect that things can't always happen when you want them to. I suppose you are very eager to give him a son-straightaway, no less. That cannot happen now. He will need lots of rest to recover. In sum, it is the culmination of everything that the Honeymoon entailed that was the cause for my brother's current state-the travelling, the touring/walking, the bedding..."
Gregory's face now held an expression of pure rage. He approached Dr. Craven, anger exuding from his movement and face. "We heard you! YOU'VE HAD YOUR SAY! THAT'S ENOUGH!"
Neville walked over to Gregory Leclair with rage as if he was going to thrash him.
"Mr. Leclair, Mrs. Medlock has brought an issue to my attention. You and your wife-Aisling is it?-You might think before you doubt or reproach your superiors. You do well to remember, I am master of this house while my brother is indisposed."
Gregory frowned.
"Just a word to the wise." Neville spoke with a villainous tone.
Leclair was enraged, so he did not step back from Neville giving him an infuriated glare.
Lilias implored, "Please, Gregory...Mr. Leclair, don't. Please..."
"ARE YOU SATISFIED?" He continued to bark at Dr. Craven speaking of Lilias's tears.
Lilias turned for she noticed her sister appeared in the doorframe to the room.
"Rose? What are you doing here?"
"Lilias," Rose hurried over to her to hug her. "Dear sister, I'm afraid I've come at a bad time."
"Well, Archie and I only just got back...and..."
"Truth be told. I only dropped by for a visit...I'm afraid Albert has been detained by business elsewhere. I must have forgotten the date you'd return-thought you'd been back for several days now. I was aching to see my sister. Upon entering your house, I was informed of your husband's condition and came to find you straight away. Perhaps, I can be of some help to you here. He's sure to be on bed rest for a few days, is he not? My poor, darling sister. You're filthy and look positively worn out."
"Forgive me, Rose, but we were in the garden."
"And, you're crying...This is all too upsetting for you. You poor dear. Leave Dr. Craven to care for Archibald, whilst I get you clean and tidied up a bit. A bath will do you good. It'll refresh you."
"I apologize for my appearance, Rose, but I don't want to leave Archie."
"Lily, your precious Archie is resting. You should be as well. Come. Take me to your room. Won't you show it to me? You must lie down." Rose pulled Lilias away down the hall from Archie's chambers, though Lilias was quite reluctant to leave.
...
Lilias was distraught very slowly bathing herself and soaking in her tub, her face never losing its melancholy expression.
Rose spoke loudly from outside the ensuite bath's doors standing at Lilias's dressing "What wondrous quarters you have, Lily! This room is so ethereal! Oh, those pearls! So beautiful!" She admired.
"I'm sure you haven't got much rest, darling Sister. You needn't stay at his side all night. Sleep here in your room. Your precious Archie won't wake wondering where you are."
...
"I want him to be feeling well again as soon as possible. Rose, I can't bear to see him in pain like that. It breaks my heart."
Lilias dressed.
"Just let him rest, sweet Lilias. That's what he needs now. You are his wife not his nursemaid or drudge."
Lilias frowned at Rose's unfeeling last statement.
"You may stay here in my room, if you wish, Rose." With that, Lilias withdrew beyond the tapestry and down the stairs. Rose heard her quick footsteps as she disappeared from the wing.
She threw herself back upon Lilias's bed in frustration and anger.