A great fist of panic clenched around Henry’s heart. “Such as?”
“It can make a woman barren, Your Grace. Depending on how much actually made it into her body and into her blood, there is every chance that she will never bear children,” the physician explained in a heavy voice, laced with apology. “There has been some bleeding which confirms my worries, but I will keep an eye on her and let you know more in the morning. Until then, I am afraid I cannot let you see her.”
Henry bristled. “She is my wife, Doctor.”
“I am aware, Your Grace, but it is for her wellbeing,” the man replied. “She is in a fragile condition, and I do not know how much she is aware of in her unconscious state. I fear your presence might be a strain upon her heart if she were to hear you or sense you.”
Henry did not like it one bit, every impulse urging him to push past the physician and go straight to Thalia’s side. But what if Dr. Farnaby was right? After last night’s tensions, what if Henry’s presence made his beloved worse?
Unable to bear children?His heart broke afresh, understanding that he was now the cause of a second unfulfilled wish. Thalia had longed to be a mother so badly, and now she might never have the chance, all because of two wretched creatures from his family.
His silent question repeated in his mind, the tone shifting slightly.Unable to bear children?
A different sort of realization struck him, his stomach twisting at the pure evil of it. There must have been a thousand poisons that his cousins could have used if they wanted to get rid of Thalia, but they had chosen Pennyroyal. With a blinding surge of fury, he understood why: a double insurance for James’ hopes of inheritance.
“Excuse me, Doctor,” Henry said, turning. “I will be back by morning. If anything happens while I am gone, send word to me at Weverton at once.”
Thrumming with absolute rage, so powerful it made him shake, Henry ran out to fetch his horse. Knowing what he now surmised, he could not wait for Thalia to wake before he brought swift and harsh justice down upon the heads of his cousins. He would explode if he did.
Leaping from his horse at the porch of Weverton, Henry pulled off his gloves as he marched up the steps and straight into the manor, ignoring the cries of surprise from the servants there. He did not stop, his heavy footfalls echoing on the parquet, until he reached the drawing room.
Throwing the door opened, he was pleased to find James, Frances, and Walter sitting there, enjoying—somewhat ironically—a spot of evening tea.
“Cousin?” James got up. “Is there news of her? Has she woken up?”
Feeling unnaturally calm, Henry walked straight up to the beast and drove his fist directly into James’ nose, a satisfying crack ringing out through the drawing room.
A howling wail emerged from deep in James’ chest as his hands flew to his broken nose, his eyes streaming as he looked to Henry for explanation.
But it was Frances who screamed, “Henry! What is the matter with you? I realize your wife is unwell, but there is no need for this!”
“You are lucky you are a woman,” Henry spat, glowering at her. “I would not deign to strike you, though you very much deserve it for your wickedness.”
Frances clasped a hand to her chest, feigning affront. “Wicked? Whatever do you mean? I have done nothing!”
“My wife is unconscious, in a fragile condition, her dreams dashed, because of you,” Henry shot back. “And what is more, it is not the first time. The two of you certainly have heeded the family motto of perseverance; I grant you that.”
Fanning herself with her hand, Frances continued the ruse. “You have gone mad, Henry. Clearly, what has happened to Thalia has made you lose your mind. If it were not for me, there would be no physician. Ihelpedher; I did not harm her.”
“You are better liars than I thought you were, but you are liars nonetheless,” Henry snarled, returning his attention to James. “Are you sure you are notmyfather’s son? He was a monster, too. Or, perhaps, this is whatyourfather trained you for, and what you will train your son for, until you finally have what is not yours to take.”
Henry saw James’ fist fly a second before it struck him in the face.
CHAPTER 33
Henry moved his head at the last moment, but it was not enough to avoid the stinging graze of knuckles against his cheek.
“This is nothing to do with my father,” James spat, smearing the blood from his nose on his sleeve. “My father was his brother’s foot-licker, always comparing me to you, always finding me wanting, always telling me I would never be good enough, making me look up to you. You! A pathetic little man who could not even fend off his own brother’s taunts without me stepping in.”
He lunged again, but Henry was more than ready this time, blocking his cousin’s arm.
“My children willnevergrow up as I did, forced to look up to unworthy counterparts,” James snarled. “Theywillgain what they deserve. I do not mind being patient. I have patience in abundance.”
Henry grabbed his cousin by the cravat, twisting. “Mywifedid not deserve to be harmed! If you had a quarrel with me, you should have come to me and dealt with it like a man, not a coward!”
“It is your fault,” James croaked. “All you had to do was stay away from her, and she would be fine.Ido not care if I am ever the Duke of Holdridge, but I want it for my son. I will have it for my son!”
“You will have nothing when I am done with you.” Henry gripped the cravat tighter. “You will not even have Weverton. I will take care of your boy, and that shall be your punishment, watching him look up to me instead of his wicked father, who shall never see freedom again.”
