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Before she could press him for more information on the exact location of a patch of untamed greenery she could visit and pretend to be in the country once more, the clatter of rapid footsteps sounded on the flagstones behind her.

“Emily!”

She swung around to see Adam hurrying toward her. A rapid mental review of her situation assured her that she was doing nothing untoward. She and Mr. Buckland were standing an appropriate distance apart, were yet within the lanterns’ light, and were within sight of several other people. Unfortunately, her positive assessment was not reflected on her brother’s face.

He came to a stop and acknowledged Mr. Buckland with a brief nod. “I beg your pardon, Buckland. I do not mean to interrupt, but my wife has fallen ill, and your aunt has called for the carriage and is insisting upon returning home with us.” He turned to Emily. “I’m sorry to cut your evening short, Em.”

“Nonsense,” Emily said. “I am in full agreement with Aunt Millward.” She tucked her arm through Adam’s. Phoebe had been horribly ill for the first four months of her pregnancy, and although she had seemed much improved over the last few weeks, it was not surprising that the extra exertion needed to prepare for the ball may have negatively affected her. “Is Phoebe suffering from the same sickness she has experienced before?”

He shook his head, and Emily caught the hint of fear in his eyes. “No. She is complaining of sharp pains.”

Emily’s grip on her brother’s arm tightened. “Where is she now?”

“She is with her aunt in the entrance hall, awaiting the carriage.”

“We must go to her.” Emily faced Mr. Buckland. No explanation was necessary; he had heard her exchange with Adam. But she wished she could offer him more than this hurried farewell. She dropped into a hasty curtsy. “I apologize, sir. I hope we will have the opportunity to renew our conversation before too long.”

“Of course.” He bowed. “Please give my best wishes to Lady Dunsbourne. I wish you both well.”

Henry stood at the stone railing as Miss Norton disappeared into the ballroom on her brother’s arm. What had come over him? The young lady was uncannily observant and refreshingly open, but he had deflected questions about his inability to identify colors before. Why had he not done so when she had asked? He released a frustrated breath. He had likely shared more than he should, but there was something about Miss Norton that made the concept of dissembling abhorrent. And even though he’d not been given the opportunity to ask for her confidentiality, he knew he had it. Just as she had his.

The image of her standing alone on the country road entered his mind, and he managed a smile. Her secret indiscretion was very minor. As minor as the freckles on her nose. His smile widened, and he started for the door. Perhaps it was for the best that Miss Norton was oblivious to the charm she exuded when she wrinkled said nose. She might stop doing it.

He entered the ballroom and looked around. It may take him a while to locate his parents amid this throng, but the sooner he did so, the sooner he could talk his father into abandoning this large social event in favor of playing a game of chess before the fire at home. With Miss Norton’s departure, the ball had completely lost its appeal.

Chapter 10

Adam made another circuit of the drawing room before stopping to glare at the door that separated him from the passage and the stairs leading up to Phoebe’s bedchamber. “What’s taking so long?” He ran his fingers through his hair. “This is all wrong. I should be with her.”

Aunt Millward handed Emily a cup of tea before pouring one for Adam. “As difficult as it is to hear, my dear Lord Dunsbourne, you are not wanted upstairs at the moment. None of us is. Dr. Thorndike is the finest physician in London. He will provide Phoebe with the best possible care.”

Emily picked up her teaspoon and stirred the steaming brown liquid in the cup she was holding. The light chink of the silver spoon touching the china filled the silent room. She stopped stirring and glanced at the clock on the mantel. They’d been waiting for almost an hour already. She was not sure that Adam would last much longer before he marched up the stairs demanding to know what the doctor had discovered.

The journey from the Tilsons’ house had been made as expeditiously as possible. Phoebe’s soft moans had been the only sound in the carriage, and upon their arrival at Aunt Millward’s home, Adam had carried her directly upstairs. Aunt Millward had sent for Dr. Thorndike, claiming that as a good friend of the family, he would respond to her request despite the lateness of the hour. She had been right. The doctor had arrived in remarkably short order and had been with Phoebe ever since.

“Have some tea, my lord,” Aunt Millward said, offering Adam the newly filled cup. “You must keep up your strength, and it has been several hours since we ate.”

Emily was not convinced that a cup of tea would make a marked difference in Adam’s vigor, but giving him something to do other than pace would benefit them all. He was likely to wear a path in the carpet if he continued unchecked.

Perhaps he also saw the wisdom in focusing on something else because he crossed the short distance to Aunt Millward’s chair and accepted the cup and saucer. “Thank you. You are very thoughtful.”

“Or it is simply that I do not have the energy to pace the room, and pouring endless cups of tea keeps me from watching the clock.” She eyed him meaningfully over the rim of her cup. “Thoughtful or lacking stamina. Both suppositions have merit, but I like yours better. Shall we stick with that one?”

Adam’s strained expression eased a fraction. “Certainly. But regardless of convention, if Dr. Thorndike does not appear within the next five minutes, I intend to enter Phoebe’s room to speak with him.”

Aunt Millward took another sip of tea. “I must say, it has been my observation that more often than not, conventions are best ignored.” She set her cup on her saucer. “If you go, I shall follow.”

Emily was trying to determine whether three anxious family members arriving outside the bedchamber would be too much for the doctor and Phoebe when the sound of a door closing above them was immediately followed by clipped footsteps on the stairs. Adam set his teacup on the end table and had almost reached the drawing room door when Dr. Thorndike appeared.

“How is she?” Adam asked without preamble.

The doctor, who could not be much more than ten years Adam’s senior, offered him a weary smile. “Her pains have subsided. I have given her some seltzer water elixir, and she is resting.”

“And the baby?”

“Thankfully, the baby appears to have decided to remain where it is for the time being.”

Adam ran his hand across his face, his expression of relief captured by Aunt Millward’s sigh.