“Here is her ladyship’s lunch, my lord,” Mrs. Cradshaw announced as she came into the room. “Oh, dear, I didn’t know—” She stood frozen in the doorway, the big silver tray balanced on her forearms.
It was with an effort that Julien tore his eyes away from his wife and walked to Mrs. Cradshaw. “Give me the tray, Emma. Her ladyship will be all right presently.” He added under his breath, “Fetch me the laudanum. It will calm her.”
He returned to the bed and stood above her. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m not at all hungry. Give it to the dogs or the pigs. Give it to Dr. Quaille. He was so pleased with the so very thin ham slices.”
“Very well. You will take your medicine then and rest.”
“I don’t want your laudanum. I would rest quite well, were it not for your presence.”
“You will have your wish as soon as you drink your medicine.”
When Mrs. Cradshaw reappeared with the laudanum, Julien dismissed her and carefully measured out the drops into a glass of water.
Kate took the glass from Julien’s outstretched hand and quickly downed the clear liquid. There would be forgetfulness in sleep, and that was something. For at least a short while, it was something.
“Now, as you wish, madam,” he said flatly. “I shall relieve you of my presence.” He turned and walked from the room, not looking back.
He returned some thirty minutes later, saw that she slept, and sat down beside her. He had lost her at last. The admission cost him dearly. There were no more plans, no new strategies to make her understand. At least with the secrets, the necessary deceptions, he’d been able to nourish hope.
“Deuced strange to think that my sister lives here,” Harry said, all goodwill, stamping freshly fallen snow from his top boots. He whipped off his many-caped greatcoat, stood proudly a moment in his scarlet regimentals, and clicked his heels together in grand military fashion.
“A fine figure you present, Master Harry,” Mannering said fondly, removing the greatcoat from Harry’s outstretched hand.
“I daresay I do look rather dashing,” Harry said with a wide grin, looking to his brother-in-law for confirmation.
Julien had no problem rising to the occasion. “A regular rake in soldier’s clothing. Have you left a score of broken hearts in your wake, Harry?”
“Not more than half a dozen.” Harry stripped off his heavy leather gloves and gazed about him. “Always thought this place was like a tomb. But trust Kate to like it, always did, you know. She used to stand, mouth agape, mind you, staring at those ridiculous suits of armor. Claimed she would have been a fine figure of a knight, jousting and that sort of thing. Such a sweet little nit she was— and mouthy too— always wanting to do exactly what I did.”
Harry pulled up short in his monologue. “Speaking of Kate, where the devil is she? Surely she ain’t out fishing in the snow. Ah, I have it, I’d wager she’s on one of your favorite stallions, careening all over the countryside.”
Julien put a firm hand on Harry’s sleeve. “No, Harry, Kate is here. Before you see her, though, I must speak with you privately.”
“Eh, what’s this? Is she brewing some new mischief? I warned you about that, my lord, before you married her. Never boring, my sister. Ah, I know. She’s got all sorts of grand treats planned for Christmas.”
Christmas, Julien thought blankly. He hadn’t given it a single thought. “Come, Harry, let’s go into the library.”
Harry shot his brother-in-law a puzzled look and said with an insouciance that Mannering readily forgave, “Do see that my hack gets stabled, will you, Mannering?”
“Certainly, Master Harry, certainly.”
Harry followed in Julien’s wake into the library and moved quickly to the blazing fire to warm his hands.
“Will you join me for a brandy, Harry?”
“Don’t mind if I do. Hellish weather, but to be expected, I suppose, it being winter and all.”
“No doubt,” Julien said, handing Harry his glass. “When must you rejoin your regiment?”
“Not until after Christmas.” Harry deposited himself with practiced grace onto a rather fragile settee, which groaned in protest under his weight. “Wanted to see what Kate is about, and then, there is my father, of course,” he added with a marked lack of enthusiasm.
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