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“I agree. The little minx could use the fresh air.” Glory was a sweet little girl who had enchanted him too.
When his mind wandered to him, Rayne, and Glory as a family, he broke into a sweat and quickly switched the conversation. “What about Mrs. Mallory? Isn’t she due to deliver her babe soon?”
“Yes. In fact, with the size she is, I agree with her that she might very well be carrying twins. If that is the case, then she most likely will deliver soon.”
For some strange reason, that made him nervous. Why, he didn’t know since it wasn’t his wife delivering a baby. “It’s a good thing you are not planning to stay overnight with your father.”
“Just so. However, if she does begin her labor, it will take some time since it’s her first, so all should be well.”
A rapping at the door interrupted their conversation. Walter opened the door to admit Marcus Mallory who arrived at the doorway to the infirmary looking as if he had run the distance from his house. He was panting, sweating and almost wild-eyed.
“What is it? Is Lizbeth all right?” Rayne hurried to the sink along the wall in the infirmary and washed her hands.
“The baby.” Marcus took a couple of gulps of air. “It’s coming.”
Chapter 10
“Goodness. You have caught me right before I left for a trip out of town. Give me a moment to gather the supplies I will need.” She shook her head and muttered to no one in particular, “It appears my trip to see Father will need to be postponed.”
She hurried away to collect what she needed. Lizbeth’s labor had started earlier than Rayne had thought, but if she was indeed carrying twins, it made sense that she would be early.
“What can I do to help?” Edwin asked as she returned to the entrance hall and placed her medical bag on the floor and shrugged into her coat.
Marcus looked over at Edwin, apparently recognizing him for the first time. “Why are you here?”
Based on Marcus’s rather rude question, Carter had apparently shared with everyone in their circle of friends the story of Edwin’s clash with him over Lottie. To his benefit, Edwin did not cower or snap back at the man. “I help out in the infirmary occasionally. Dr. Stevens is good enough to accept my assistance.”
Marcus’s brows climbed up his forehead. “Indeed? And does that leave you enough time to drink?”
Rayne scowled. “That’s enough, Marcus, and quite rude. We have more important things to consider right now.”
Marcus’s shoulders slumped and he looked a bit sheepish. “You are right, and I apologize Lord Sterling. I’m afraid I’m a bit flustered at the moment.”
Edwin nodded. “Apology accepted.” He handed Rayne her bag. “I shall be happy to stay and receive visiting family members. Is anyone being sent home today?”
“Yes. Thank you for the reminder. Mrs. Wilson’s husband will be by sometime this afternoon. I have all the instructions for her in the file on the top of my desk. Walter should be back from his errands shortly.”
He opened the door to allow Rayne and Marcus to leave. “You have your carriage, Mr. Mallory?”
“Yes.” Marcus took Rayne’s arm as they proceeded down the steps to the Mallory carriage sitting at the edge of the pavement.
Once they were settled, Marcus shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “It is not my business at all, but I could not have been more surprised to find Lord Sterling not only in your infirmary, but actually working there.”
Rayne grinned. “Yes. It is a bit of a surprise, is it not?”
Marcus lowered his voice. “I feel the need to warn you that Sterling is not a nice person. He has quite a—well deserved—reputation.”
Rayne had no idea why, but she felt the need to defend the man. She thought of all his help with her finances, with standing on one leg for hours to bandage patients from the accident. Of sending a message to Addie so she could gather the other women to help her. She shook her head. “Perhaps he has a bad reputation, but I have not seen it.” God, of course, would forgive her for that little lie since he was certainly a bit of a mess when he first arrived.
Marcus shook his head. “You don’t know what you are getting yourself into.”
“I am not getting myself into anything, I assure you. I am grateful for Lord Sterling’s help. That is all.” She sniffed and turned her head, wondering if she had just told another lie. Was there more to Lord Sterling than someone who was helping her?
After a few minutes of silence, she asked, “How long have you known Lord Sterling?”
Marcus leaned back in the seat and rested his foot on his knee. “It seems most of my life. We were at Eton about the same time. Then, of course, we met at our clubs and at the numerous ton events, balls, and so forth in London. We were not what you might call close friends, however.”
Aside from her initial confrontation with Edwin over the brandy, and the few suggestive remarks he’d made at the beginning of his treatment, since then he’d treated her with respect, caring, and even protectiveness. Considering what she’d seen so far, she wanted more information about him. He was truly a puzzle to her. “Was he always as he’s been the past few years? Drinking a lot, rowdy parties, that sort of thing? Even when he lived in London?”
