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Hathor was silent for a moment, so I reached out and touched her hand. “I am sure he will.”
“I like to think so too, but not everyone is fortunate to have a loving marriage. Sometimes I wonder if there is a finite amount of love. And if there is, how much is left? My parents, Lord Hardinge, Aphrodite, Damon…what if they have all taken the greatest of it?”
I was surprised she would think this way given she seemed so determined to be wed.
“What will you do if there is?” I questioned. “What if there is only so much love out there to be found?”
“Defy the odds and ensure my own.”
I smiled because, as simple as that, Hathor returned. “Such confidence.”
“Papa says if we dwell on our fears, they defeat us. I will simply tell myself I shall become a duchess until I become one.”
“A viscountess is not bad either. You very well could win Henry’s heart.”
“I wish not to be in competition, and this is not my point in telling you all this.”
“What is your point then?”
“Sometimes, my fears keep me up too.”
Oh, she was speaking of my nightmares…she was seeking to comfort me once again.
“Your mother is right, you are rather soft on the inside.”
“Oh, hush, you!” She shoved me and I could not help but giggle.
We spoke a little while longer until she fell asleep alongside me. I had never thought much about having a sister, yet Hathor seemed determined to make me one. I smiled…but soon my expression shifted as I thought of the very same thing I had pondered earlier that evening.
Hathor was right, there was a plague amongst us.
It was love.
For it must have been on the minds of every adult within this home, maybe within all of London. Love did not care if we were wed or not. Alive or not.
Love was at the root of it all.
13
Theodore
“Dr. Darrington? Dr. Darrington?”
I opened my eyes to see Mrs. Collins, the Du Bell housekeeper, before me. Confused, I sat up, my back aching from the chair I had fallen asleep in. It was then that I recalled returning to Lord Hardinge’s room after Verity had gone…I prayed it had just been a dream. That I had not crossed such lines.
“Forgive me for waking you, Dr. Darrington, but his lordship sent me to have you reminded of breakfast.”
“Breakfast?” My mind was still disheveled, and the pain in my breeches was considerable, as still I found my thoughts on her lips, on her body pressed against mine.
“Yes, the family are gathering now.”
Rubbing my eyes, I rolled my shoulders, trying to calm myself before I moved to Lord Hardinge’s bedside to check him over.
“His lordship had some clothes and fresh water brought for you to freshen up.”
“Do thank the marquess for me, but I shall eat here in the room—”
“Father will not be pleased to hear that,” Damon said, appearing at the door. Mrs. Collins curtsied to him before stepping aside. “And it would be deplorable for us to keep you here all night and not offer you a decent breakfast.”
“Dining with his lordship once was already beyond me—”
“Would it be better if it came not in the form of an invitation but an order?” he asked as he reached me. “My father requests you join us for breakfast, and you could not possibly deny him, could you?”
I frowned. “I must stay with my patient.”
“Mrs. Collins will sit with him while we eat. And despite how she looks, she’s a swift runner. She often chased my sisters down on our estate.” He chuckled, and the woman behind him smiled slightly. When I moved to speak, he put his hand on my shoulder. “Lord Hardinge is my godfather, and you saved him, so the very least we can do is give you a meal. Please do not be difficult, or I shall be forced to be difficult in return.”
“Very well,” I said, not because I truly wanted to but because my mind wished to piece together what was real and what was in my dreams last night. “I shall be done in a moment.”
He nodded and let go of me before facing Lord Hardinge. He patted the man’s leg once before turning and taking his leave. Mrs. Collins also stepped out, allowing me space to clean up. She had done more than simply bring fresh water but also a new shirt, scented oils, and face towels.
I sniffed my own shirt and cringed, then panicked. Surely, I had not smelled like this last night…Verity would not have been able to kiss a man who reeked as I did.
Verity? Had I already settled into calling her that now?
Pushing all the thoughts from my mind, I cleaned and changed quickly before stepping out once more to see Mrs. Collins and one other maid beside her.
