Page 31 of Courting Miss Lancaster
Mr. Rigby paled noticeably at the mention of the Duke of Kielder. Of course, Adam’s glare in their general direction couldn’t have helped. With a rigidity that any statue would envy, Mr. Rigby took Athena the remaining half-dozen steps to her awaiting chair. Adam performed the introduction to Persephone, though with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm. Odd, that. Neither Harry nor Adam seemed enamored of Mr. Rigby, though they also did not seemunfond of him. Athena’s mind was far too fogged by pain, fatigue, and the approach of what she suspected was a fever, for her to make sense of any of it.
Mr. Rigby made several stilted attempts at conversation, though his eyes darted with alarming frequency to Adam. Each glance left Mr. Rigby less composed and far paler. And when Mr. Rigby asked Athena for the third time whether she was enjoying her first stay in London, Adam seemed to lose patience.
“If you cannot speak in a manner that at least remotely resembles an intelligent conversation,” Adam said, “then stick with standing mutely and save all of our ears the agony of enduring you.”
Mr. Rigby audibly cleared his throat, and though Athena was not looking at Adam, she was certain the duke rolled his eyes. For once, she agreed with her irritable brother-in-law. Mr. Rigby was beginning to grate on her already-frayed nerves. Why was it that every gentleman she had been introduced to of late proved remarkable only in the absurdity of his shortcomings? If she was being fair, she acknowledged, noteverygentleman had proven flawed—only those Harry had introduced to her. She was struck again by the oddness of that realization. Perhaps when she was feeling better it would make more sense, or she would think of a reasonable explanation for what seemed to be an extraordinarynumber of coincidences.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lancaster.” Mr. Rigby abruptly dove into the expected exit dialogue. With a bow from the waist, he expressed his hope that they would meet again and, after a nervous glance at Adam, made a very hasty retreat.
“Coward,” Adam muttered under his breath.
“After the rumors I have heard this evening regarding your encounter with Sir Hubert,” Persephone said, “I am surprised Mr. Rigby had the fortitude to approach our party at all.”
“Fortitude?”Adam scoffed. “Idiocy, more like.”
They continued conversing, their voices growing quieter as the subject matter veered into topics they alone were interested in. Athena was grateful for the drop in volume. She dabbed with one gloved finger at her forehead, hoping to stop the beads of sweat forming there from trickling down her overheated face. She could no longer concentrate on anything beyond the need to remain upright and not simply lie down on the floor as she was tempted to do. There was no doubt in her mind that she was feverish.
Where is Harry?she wondered, searching the room with her eyes. He would see that she was ill and save her the difficulty of attempting to explain as much to Persephone. Athena felt entirely incapable of any degree of conversation. But Harry would understand. He always did. He sensed her feelings and struggles before anyone else. Indeed, she could not remember a friend who had understood her to the degree he did.
“Your lemonade.”
She had not even heard him approach. Much of the ballroom, as a matter of fact, had receded into an unrecognizable blur. Athena looked up in the direction of Harry’s voice. “I... do not... feel well,” she managed.
Words garbled all around her, though she could not make sense of any of them. Athena felt an arm wrap securely aroundher waist as she was assisted to her feet. She knew, on some instinctive level, that it was Harry and felt comforted despite the increasing weight of illness. He would not abandon her. He had listened to her frustrations and struggles from almost the moment they had first met. He had laughed with her, sat beside her when she was lonely.
Athena registered the smell of horses and knew she had been led outside and was being assisted into the carriage. Harry had not left her side, and knowing he would see to her welfare, Athena allowed herself to slip into a dreamless and restless sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
VW
“How is she?” Harry askedthe moment he encountered Persephone on the stairs as he made his way toward the Falstone House drawing room.
He had done little but worry about Athena since carrying her up those same stairs the night before. Athena had leaned heavily against him, heat emanating from her as her fever began to rise. Leaving her there so obviously ill had been painful.
Harry had repeatedly told himself that Persephone would take care of her sister. But he couldn’t help wishing he had the right to remain beside her, to see to her welfare himself. Harry was left to content himself with depending on the power of sincere and repeated prayers. What Persephone could not do, the heavens most certainly could.
“The fever continues.” Persephone sighed. Harry’s eyes were riveted to her. It was not what he wanted to hear. “The doctor assures us, however, that she is not in any danger.”
“He is certain?” Harry pressed, his fears not alleviated. “He knows what he’s about? You didn’t consult one of those imbeciles who ripped Adam’s face to shreds, did you?”
“Would Adam have permitted any of those men into his house, Harry?” Persephone gave him a look clearly commiserating his lack of intelligence, though softened by the hint of a smile that tugged at her mouth.
“Perhaps he wished to draw and quarter them,” Harry suggested with a chuckle. “Although I do believe surgeons arenot in season just now.”
“No,” Persephone smiled back, “insulting baronets are the current prey.” Her humor seemed less forced than Harry would have expected, suggesting she was beginning to recover from the insults Sir Hubert had heaped upon her.
“About time you made an appearance, you maw worm.” Adam’s growl joined the conversation as he approached the landing where Harry and Persephone had paused to continue their conversation.
Adam looked thoroughly annoyed, and he was flinging insulting epithets. If Athena’s situation had truly been dire, Adam would not have expended unnecessary effort on either. Adam was extremely focused when circumstances warranted it. Being referred to as an intestinal parasite was, actually, relieving.
“I am assuming those weeds are for Athena,” Adam said, pointedly eyeing the bouquet of violets Harry had almost forgotten he was holding.
“Of course,” Harry answered. “Ladies always like receiving weeds.”
“Well, take them up to her, imbecile,” Adam directed. “Convince the girl you haven’t dropped off the face of the earth so she’ll quit asking for you every five minutes.” Adam looked aggravated enough for the statement to be true.
“She’s asked for me?” Harry hoped his eagerness wasn’t apparent to the others.
