Good lord, he didn’t even look up. His eyes were on the Chinese woman as she took the cup from his hand and gestured for him to pour the water in. He did so, and Emmaline had to look away as the lady stirred it quickly, then gulped it down.
In her defense, she appeared to despise what she’d done as much as Emma would. Her nose was wrinkled, her face screwed up in disgust, but she did it. And that, apparently, was the depth of her strength as she collapsed back against the pillows.
Max set everything back on the side table, his expression solicitous. “Is there anything else? Water? Food?” He made gestures with his hands as he spoke, but the woman shook her head. Instead, she pointed down to her feet.
“Must see.”
“There’s no need…”
Max tried to deny her, but the woman was adamant. She took a moment to gather her courage. Emma could see it in the way she squared her shoulders and narrowed her brows. Such courage in this foreign woman! Then she pulled herself upright to see her feet.
Emma winced, as did everyone in the room. Her feet were a red, swollen mess and the lady gave a mew of distress.
“It’ll get better,” Max quickly assured her. “You need time.” He quickly covered her back up.
Apparently, the woman had seen enough. She dropped back onto her pillows in misery, her gaze going back to Max. “Thank you,” she said.
“I’ll stay here with you tonight. You’re safe here.”
Again, Emma met Kimberly’s shocked gaze. Max was going to sit vigil? Didn’t he have to go entertain Prinny? Or perhaps discover a way out of this predicament? Apparently not because he settled his chair such that he could cradle the Chinese’s woman’s hand in his own.
“Are you feverish?” Emma blurted out. Good God, couldn’t the man see that he was coddling a foreign woman right in front of Kimberly?
“What are you about, Em?”
She was about to knock him about the head. “Max,” she said firmly, “your fiancée is over there!” She pointed to Kim who immediately straightened.
“I know where she is,” Max said, abruptly removing his hand from beneath Miss Wong’s. “Kimberly and I understand each other very well.”
“Well, the servants don’t. And I don’t. Max—”
Kimberly abruptly interrupted. “No, no! Don’t cut up at him.”
“What?” Emma demanded.
“He’s had a shock. You both have. Today has been incredibly difficult for all of us. He’s concerned for his guest’s health, and that is to the good. I, um… People tend to act very odd around death, you know, even a pet’s death.”
Max’s tone was hard. “She’s not dying.”
“What? No, I meant the other one. The…um…violent one.”
That silenced them all for a moment. The sight of the dead mandarin had not left her thoughts for one second. Perhaps cutting up at her brother was how she had distracted herself.
“Still, he cannot fawn over Miss Wong. It’s not fair to you.”
“I’m not fawning—”
“Of course, it’s not fair,” Kimberly retorted. “None of it ever is. But I have agreed to be Ophelia, you see. Not long, mind you, but for now.”
Emma had no idea what that meant, but Max clearly did. He tucked his hands into his lap and frowned at Miss Wong. Her eyes were open, her expression neutral. She was clearly aware of the discussion around her, but Emma had no idea if she understood enough English to follow it. Hell, English was Emma’s native language, and she wasn’t sure what was going on.
Meanwhile, Kimberly continued. “I’m going to leave now, Max, unless you want me to stay.”
“Good God no. There’s no need for us both to lose a night’s sleep.”
Emma huffed out a breath. “There’s no need for either of you to do such. We do have servants.”
“Who are terrified of her,” Max said firmly.
