Though Christopher felt for his friend, he needed to find a way to marry Sophie as soon as she felt better. He needed to keep her safe with him.
Finally, he nodded. As much as he didn’t wish to admit it, Andrew had a good idea that would help him.
“Is any of that house you bought livable? If you like, you could stay with us until it is.”
Having his brother extend so much felt odd, and Christopher backed away from it. “Yes, it’s livable, but I thank you for the invitation and for being willing to help me.”
“Chris, I know I haven’t always been the best brother, but I do wish you happiness. If you have found with Lady Sophie what I found with Amelia, then I’m happy to aid you in any way possible.”
“Thank you. I feel much more confident now. The only thing I can’t control is her health.”
Andrew stood and clapped a hand to his shoulder. “I promise you, she could not receive better care. Now, I suggest you change if you feel warmed enough and get a letter sent off to your Mr. Morton.”
Ignoring the twist in his stomach at the mention of Sophie’s precarious position, Christopher nodded, thankful he had a task to do. “Thank you, brother. I will do that forthwith.”
Andrew squeezed his shoulder then let go. “You best get dressed first. I have clothes you can borrow. The last thing I need is a bunch of ladies running into you in the hall with you half naked.”
As Andrew left through a connecting door, Christopher turned back toward the fire. All his plans seemed to have been swept up into a winter storm, yet he wasn’t as disappointed as he’d expected. If the sun shone afterward upon the head of Sophie, he could be content.
“Please live, Sophie.”
Chapter Eighteen
Two days later
“Rose, if youwant me to eat more soup, then you need to have Mrs. Boyd send up barberry ice cream. I know she has some.”
“Absolutely not. You’ve barely been warm for twenty-four hours. I will not have you eating anything cold.”
“Then I’ll go down and get some myself.” Sophie threw the quilt and sheet off and lifted her legs over the warm brick next to them.
“No!” Rose came around the bed and put her hands on Sophie’s shoulders. “You must stay in bed and stay warm.”
“Then I’ll wear a dressing gown.”
“Sophie Howard of Dowling, you are not leaving this bed.”
“Rose Ambrose of Enderly, Iamleaving this bed.”
At a knock on the door, they both looked that way. Sophie answered, “Please come in.”
The door opened and Tam entered, quickly closing the door behind him. “I need to speak to you.”
Rose let go of Sophie and stepped in front of him. “You can’t be in here. What are you doing?”
Sophie’s heart warmed. Seeing him was the best cure for falling in the pond. “Truly, Rose, this is the solution. I wish to go to the kitchens, and here is Tam ready to escort me.”
Rose swung around toward her, and in the morning light, Sophie noticed the tiredness about her eyes. The poor woman had not slept intwo days, her guilt riding her hard. “No, no, no, no.”
Tam opened his mouth, and Sophie quickly interjected. “Rose, all is well. Please stand outside the door to prevent anyone else from entering. I need to talk to Lord Tamworth.”
Rose looked about to argue, but as she turned and faced Tam’s scowl, she finally nodded. “Ten minutes. Not a minute more.”
As Rose brushed by Tam, he strode to the bed. “I had to see you for myself. Lady Sommerset said you are doing well.”
Sophie smiled, very happy to see him. “I am. I want to go back to my studies, but Rose is determined to keep me in my room.”
His gaze swept over her before he brushed her loose hair off her shoulder. “I don’t want to agree with Rose, but I do in this. Another day won’t hurt, will it?”
