She smiled at his concern. “No, you have not slept the day around.”
He nodded, some of the furrows in his brow easing. She watched him, fascinated by the evidence of some inner turmoil and concentration.
“Is Trevor here?” he asked suddenly.
She jumped at the unexpectedness of his question. “Yes."
"Send him in, please.”
“I don’t think you’re in any condition to—”
“Please, just for a few moments, and afterward, I’d love a light breakfast, then I promise to take my medicine like a good boy.”
“I don’t believe you were ever a good boy,” she returned archly.
He grinned. “That’s probably because I never had you nearby to make sure I was. I’m sure you could have taught my old nurse a thing or two.”
“Mr. Talverton,” she said repressively.
“Miss Mannion,” he returned equally serious, then his face took on a meek look. “Please?”
Vanessa sighed. “It’s against my better judgment, but I suppose if a man is beginning to think of food, he’s well enough for company. Nonetheless, he may visit for five minutes only!”
He nodded slightly and closed his eyes. “Thank you,” he said simply.
Vanessa looked at his still form doubtfully, her lips set in a straight line, then she turned and hurried out of the room with a swish of her skirts.
Hugh opened his eyes after she left, raising his hand to massage his temples. He was almost surprised to find a bandage there until he remembered the blow he took to the head. He was in severe pain, and in truth, he needed to sleep; however, he could not show Vanessa how debilitated his condition was lest she refuse him time with Trevor. He remembered the words he heard moments before the attack, identifying Trevor as their target. The question was, why?
He heard Vanessa and Trevor arriving moments before the door opened. He took his hand away from his head and willed the lines of pain on his face to ease, compartmentalizing his agony to another corner of his mind. He knew he couldn’t do it for long, and when he released his tremendous willpower, the pain would come rushing back tenfold, but that was a risk he had to take.
Vanessa opened the door and stood aside so Mr. Danielson could enter, bearing with him a breakfast tray for Hugh.
“Now remember,” she remonstrated him, “Five minutes, that’s all.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Trevor said smartly.
She glared at both of them a moment longer, then closed the door.
“Phew! I wish you happy, my friend, but I think you have a termagant on your hands,” he said, setting the tray on the bedside table and handing Hugh a bowl of thin gruel.
“My little general, more likely, not that she’d wish to be my anything.” Hugh looked at the gruel with undisguised dismay, then he wryly smiled and accepted the food.
Trevor rubbed his chin. “I wouldn’t be too hasty in that assumption. You were out cold and missed her fight to be your nurse.’
“She fought to assist me?” he asked before drinking the gruel. He found it surprisingly tasty.
“Determinedly,” his friend assured him.
Hugh expelled his breath slowly. “Thank you for that. But we must speak, and quickly, before the general returns,” he said, handing Trevor back the bowl. “Tell Mannion of my plan. He may cut up stiff that you know of the problem, but placate him as best you can. Convince him it’s for the best. Tomorrow, or better yet, later today, if you’re able, bring me paper, quill and ink. I must write a letter to the bank authorizing the draft. I want this done as swiftly as possible.”
He paused, running his hand unconsciously across his deeply furrowed brow. “It might be to our advantage to have Vanessa as my nurse since it may keep her out of circulation. Second, ask Mannion now for Adeline’s hand in marriage, then make as big and as splashy an announcement as you can.”
Trevor laughed. “I’m not averse to that, but may I ask why?”
“Because our attackers were afteryou, Trevor."
"What?”
