Stupid Laura.
If she needed an argument for not trusting Adam, not trusting herself with men, there it was.
Chapter Thirteen
Adam suppressed a curse.When he’d told Lord M about the painting samples, he’d hoped to reassure him. The old man had been worrying about the progress of the wedding arrangements and every time Nicole said she didn’t know what was going on with ‘the dress’ he became even more agitated. So Adam had tried to put his mind at rest and convey some of his own admiration for Laura’s work and her refreshing artistic creation. How was he supposed to know it would backfire?
To his increasing horror, Du Montford carried on scolding her. In front of everyone.
Strictly speaking, if Lord M wanted to reprimand one of his employees, it was not Adam’s place to step in. He was just a doctor. It was none of his business. Was it?
He stood up suddenly. “Excuse me everyone.”
They all turned to him.
“I need to examine Lord M now, so if you don’t mind, this discussion will have to be shelved for another day.”
Laura exhaled in obvious relief and was the first out of the room. While Nurse Ann poured another cup of tea and placed it on the little table by the wheelchair, Adam hurried out after Laura.
He found her at the top of the stairs, both hands braced against the banister, head down as if catching her breath after a long run.
“Are you alright?”
She turned slowly and he could see a shine of tears in her eyes. He moved closer her hand but she flinched away.
“Why?” she asked bitterly. “Why did you ask me to be friends yesterday?”
The question hit him like a slap. “Um...It’s not what you think—”
She didn’t listen.
“It’s hard enough doing this job for someone who’s out of the country, living in a house full of strangers and trying not to step on people’s toes or ruffle their feather when they keep getting in your face. But it’s even harder when you realize you can’t afford to let down your guard with anyone in case they’re collecting information to take to an irrational old man.” She tossed her head in the direction of the double doors to the study.
“I didn’t—”
“I know he has reasons to worry, and he’s an old man with a bellyache. But you? What did I ever do to you?”
The double doors opened as Liam and Nurse Ann came out. Adam nodded to them both, waiting for them to go downstairs so he could talk to Laura alone.
When he turned back to her, she was gone. Already half-way down the curving staircase.
“What’s wrong?” Ann asked, pausing beside him on the landing. “I’ve not seen him this vicious for a long time.”
Her words brought him up sharp. He had a patient to look after, and this patient seemed far from alright.
“And he’s not eating.” Ann placed the untouched breakfast tray on the round polished table in the centre of the gallery. “He says he’s lost his appetite. But he’s not had an appetite for a while. He just complains about the food and sends it back.” She sighed. “Just like the old days…but not the same.”
“What do you mean?” Adam made himself focus on what Ann said.
She walked a few steps away from the doors so as not to be overheard. “Until a couple of years ago, he used to do this a lot. We had a different chef then, Joanie, and they clashed like Catholics and Protestants in the Orangemen’s parade. He used to torment her by sending food back and making her cook him something else. Some days she’d make him five different dishes before he consented to eat anything.”
“But he would eat in the end?” Adam asked, already guessing the answer.
She nodded.
“And now he doesn’t?”
“I didn’t notice before because…” A worried expression crossed her normally placid features.
