Her eyes opened but staredwithout seeing. "The train. He's leaving on the train." She panicked."Don't leave me, Patrick."
"No one's leavingyou." His arms closed around her. God, she was hot. His heart was poundingas hard as hers as he tried to make her lie still against him. "It's allright. No one is going to leave you."
"Yes, he will. Unless Imake him take me."
"Christ, stop thrashingaround."
"Patrick!"
What could he do? She wasn'tin her right senses and he was afraid to leave her alone even to fetch help.Tamar wouldn't return until he brought breakfast.
"Please, I don't want tobe like her," she whispered.
His arms tightened around her.He knew who she was talking about and the memory she was reliving. While awakeshe may have conquered her demons, but now she was a child again with all thefears and torments of the mind let loose.
The torments he haddeliberately brought her here to set free.
Who could be hammering at thedoor at this time of night? Margaret wondered drowsily.
Then, as she came fully awake,she glanced quickly at Ian. Thank goodness he had not been disturbed. Shestruggled into her robe, thrust her feet into slippers, and marched across theroom to throw open the door. Ruel. She should have known who would be solacking in consideration.
"Merciful saints, mustyou come pounding in the middle of the night? Ian needs his sleep, and it's awonder you didn't wake him. Why could it not—" She broke off as she sawhis strained face and glittering eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I need you," hesaid hoarsely. "Can you come?"
"Come where?" Shecast a glance over her shoulder. Ian was still sleeping soundly. The pain hadbeen bad last night and she had been forced to give him extra laudanum. Shestepped into the hall and quietly closed the door behind her.
"The summerhouse."He took her elbow and strode down the hall, half leading, half dragging her."I need you."
"That's the first timeI've ever heard you say that," she said dryly. "I can hardly wait tohear in what manner."
"You know aboutsickness," he said jerkily. "You took care of your father andIan."
"You're ill?"
"Jane."
"Jane's here?" sheasked, startled.
"Would I be coming afteryou if she were not? Stop asking questions and hurry. I've left her alone toolong already."
Her pace quickened."What's wrong?"
"If I knew that, Iwouldn't have called you. Fever. Chills. She's out of her head. She doesn'tknow me."
"Have you sent for thephysician?"
"Of course I have, but itmay be hours before Tamar gets back with him. She needs someone now."
"What is she doing at thesummerhouse?"
He looked straight ahead."That's not your concern."
"What have you been upto, Ruel?"
He didn't answer.
It was clear he was not goingto confide in her the exact nature of this particular deviltry. "I may notbe able to help."
