He frowned as he looked at her. He rose from the bed. “Is it somehow related to Christopher’s kidnapping?” he murmured, his back turned to Christopher.
She hesitated, then nodded.
“I see,” he said heavily. His long face appeared longer, with concern etched on his features.
The door to the nursery opened and Rani entered. “I’m sorry, Krishan!” she called out before she saw Cecilia and the Earl in the room. She curtsied. “I will get Krishan washed and dressed now for breakfast.”
“Can I go downstairs?” Krishan asked eagerly, looking from one face to another.
“Doctor say today, yes,” Rani said.
Cecilia smiled at him. “Then we will wait breakfast for you. No need to hurry.”
“Thank you, madam,” Rani said.
“Is someone with Dorothy? How is she this morning?” Cecilia asked.
“Mrs. Dunstan is with her. She is unhappy we did not wake her to help last night. Nate told her all this morning. Dot is better. She retch one time only. She doesn’t feel good, but she will be fine in a day or so.”
“That is welcome news,” Cecilia said. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
“Yes, yes. I sleep on floor next to her bed.”
“On the floor!” Guilt, like a sea wave, crashed over Cecilia.
“Nate brought me blankets,” Rani said almost absently, as she went over to Christopher and sat next to him.
Cecilia sighed. “I’m glad Nate thought to help you. I am sorry I did not think of that.”
Rani smiled as she shrugged. “So much going on. But Dot will be fine. That is important thing.”
Soothcoor looked from one woman to the other but didn’t comment.
Cecilia nodded and opened the nursery door. She and Soothcoor left the room.
“Cecilia, what is going on?” Soothcoor quietly asked.
She shook her head. “We don’t know the whole of it yet. We have ideas, but nothing seems to come together. Let me tell the staff to hold breakfast for Krishan—I mean Christopher, then we can join James in the library.”
“I heard Miss Rangaswamy refer to him as Krishan. Owen, in his letters to me, called him Kit.”
Cecilia agreed. “It is my understanding his mother, Miss Rangaswamy, and other servants in India called him Krishan. I have fallen into the habit of calling him Krishan, as Miss Rangaswamy does.”
He nodded. “I will ask him what he wants me to call him.”
She turned to look up at him. “That is kind of you. Nate,” she said as they reached the entry. “Krishan will join us for breakfast. Please tell Cook and the staff to hold breakfast until he is dressed.”
“Yes, my lady.” Nate trotted down the hall to the stairs leading to the kitchen.
“The library is this way,” Cecilia told the Earl.
When they entered the library, Cecilia saw Mr. Martin before them, seated at the desk. He rose when he saw them.
“Soothcoor!” James said, delighted to see his friend recovered. He came around the desk. He gripped Soothcoor’s shoulders. “How are you today? No ill effects from your journey to get here? Did you sleep comfortably?”
“Yes, thank you. I am more at peace, especially now that I have spent some time with Christopher. But I admit I’m not as young as I used to be, and all parts of my body ache this morning. I don’t wish to do that ride again, but I’m damn glad I did.”
“Come and meet Mr. Lewis Martin,” James said. “Mr. Martin is with Bow Street and was instrumental in our finding Christopher.”
