Page 74 of A Highland Duke to Claim Her Heart

The little girl hesitated, and Cassandra assured her, “Do not worry, my dear, your father’s illness is not contagious.”

Heartened by this, Annabelle crossed the room to her father and climbed up into the bed next to him. Then she folded her body into his outline and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I have missed you, Papa,” she whispered.

“I have missed you as well, my little one,” he said, putting his hand on the top of her head. “Soon I shall be well again, and then we will continue to build the duchess’s garden. Would you like that?”

Annabelle nodded. “I should like that very much.”

A comfortable silence fell between the three of them, and soon, Annabelle had drifted off. Ewan was not long behind her. After several minutes, the sounds of their rhythmic breathing filled the room, like a lullaby. Cassandra stayed and watched them both. She did not want to leave just yet. When they were all like this, she felt as if they were a real family. As if all the worries, fears, and threats from the outside world had dissolved and melted away.

When the door opened half an hour later, she felt her stomach curl as Christopher stepped into the room.

He froze the moment he saw her, then his face split into an unconvincing smile.

“Ahh, Cassandra,” he said, his lips quivering as he worked to keep the smile in place. “I did not know you would be here.”

“Yes,” she said, and then realized that if her plan was to work, she had to appear less hostile. She smiled. “I was just checking on my husband.”

“But of course.” Christopher reached into his jacket pocket and drew out another vial. The moment Cassandra saw it, she felt as if she might be sick.He has come here to poison him.It did not seem possible to her that someone could be so evil.

“I brought this for my brother,” he said, setting it down on the nightstand. “I know the good doctor wants to pre-approve everything Ewan drinks and eats, but I know this elixir works well. Doctors do not always approve of these ‘natural’ methods, but I would love to prove him wrong. So perhaps you will not tell him?” He winked at her, and her own smile grew harder.

“Of course,” she said. “Thank you, Christopher. Your care for your brother truly means the world to me.”

He bowed his head. “He is my brother. I would do anything for him.”

He had opened the door and was about to leave them when he paused. “Your mother arrived last night,” he said, the casualness in his voice clearly calculated. “I was surprised to see her.”

“Yes,” Cassandra said, turning to face him. “She has come to comfort me in my distress at my husband’s illness.”

“Ahh, and here I thought she might have come for another reason?” Christopher’s gaze moved to her stomach. “Perhaps to care for you during your convalescence?”

Remembering her mother’s words, Cassandra’s mouth grew dry. It was with some difficulty that she worked to keep the fear from showing on her face.

“Sadly, no,” she said, shaking her head. “The duke and I have not been blessed in that way. And with his illness now…” she looked away sadly. “I do not know what will happen.”

“Well, fear not, sister,” Christopher murmured. “No matter what happens, I will take care of you.”

It sounded more like a threat than reassurance. And with one last, sinister smile, Christopher disappeared from the room, leaving Cassandra feeling shaken and clammy in her chair.

Chapter 27

He remembered speaking with Cassandra. Something about a promise she had made. Something about the doctor and clear water.

And then Annabelle. He recalled seeing her in the doorway. Her voice, high-pitched with fear, and then her lying next to him, curled into him, her breathing deep and peaceful as she slept.

After that, he remembered dreams.

In some of them, he was with Margaret. It was the day of his wedding, and she was staring up at him with disgust as he repeated his vows.

This was not a dream, though. He had really been there. That had really happened. He remembered it, but he also knew years had passed. She was gone. But in his dreams, he was trying to change the script, trying to change the ending.

Could he have done something to save her? Could he have warmed her heart to him? Did he even want to?

I will always love Christopher.

Those words, which she had told him when she was with child.