“She does that, Mother, although she doesn’t realize we know.” Honoria sent her an indulgent smile. “We’re all worried, Anne. I’m so sorry this happened on your wedding day.”
So was she.
Colin tooka seat next to his father’s bedside and prepared himself for whatever lecture lay ahead.
“I should leave you two alone,” Ashton said. “I’ll be right outside should you need me.”
“No. Stay. You need to hear this because I may need your assistance, Ashton.”
Why would his father need Ashton’s help? Although his father had always had a humorless nature, the stark seriousness of his expression sent a thousand possibilities winging through Colin’s mind. Dread, cold and suffocating as the murky waters in the lake, washed over him.
“Very well.” Ashton drew up a chair across the bed from Colin.
“Do not tell your mother or sister,” his father began, and the dread compressed Colin’s lungs tighter. “These pains of mine, they’re not simply from eating gooseberries or spicy foods, although my pain flares when I do indulge.” He paused as if drawing courage to form the words Colin didn’t want to hear. “My physician believes I have a cancer.”
Colin’s gaze jerked from his father to Ashton, seeking, hoping he would dispute the diagnosis.
“It’s possible. Or it could be an ulceration of the stomach.”
Neither sounded good to Colin. “Can you determine which it is, if it is either?”
“It’s next to impossible to detect an internal cancer while thepatient lives.” Ashton shot an apologetic glance toward Colin’s father. “It’s usually discovered through a postmortem autopsy. Whereas a palpable growth is much easier to detect, and if a sample of tissue can be excised and examined under a microscope, there are indicators.”
“Damn it, both of you!” His father groaned and pulled himself up farther on the bed. “That can wait. Colin, I want to apply for a writ of acceleration so you can assume my place in Parliament. Ashton, your support could be influential, and, of course, I’ll have to do some groveling to my son-in-law as well.”
“You won’t have to grovel to Burwood, Father. Drake would do anything for Honoria and, by extension, you. But it’s unnecessary. You’ll be fine.” Were his words meant to convince his father...or himself?
“But if I’m not. If I’m unable to get out of my damn bed, I need you to represent us. And when I die?—”
“Father!”
His father shook his head. “There is noif. I will die sooner or later, and if it’s sooner, we need to take action now for a seamless transition.” He drew a breath, and Colin convinced himself it didn’t have the rattle of death. “It’s taken me a while to come around, I’ll admit, but we’re so close to winning a victory for reform. One more vote in favor would help. Forget about that nonsense of running for MP in Commons; you belong in Lords.” He grabbed Colin’s hand lying on the bed next to him. “Promise me.”
“I will promise if you allow Ashton to examine you fully and stop seeing that charlatan you call a doctor.”
A grim smile crossed his father’s lips. “See, you are an excellent negotiator already. Ashton, can I count on your assistance?”
“You may, sir. For both your health and your appeal for a writ of acceleration,” Ashton said.
Slumping back on the bed, his father looked every bit of his sixty-eight years. “Now, leave me. You have a bride waiting for you and an heir to produce.”
Ashton glanced up as Colin rose to take hisleave. “If you would, Manning, tell my wife where I’ll be.” Concern on Ashton’s face did nothing to alleviate Colin’s fears.
For long moments, Colin stood outside his father’s bedchamber. All the hope, the anticipation, and yes, even the joy he’d felt that morning when he prepared for his wedding day transformed into bleak despair. Like most children do, Colin once believed his father was invincible, a tower of strength who would live forever. However, with Margery’s illness and death, the belief in his father’s immortality began to crack.
Now it was shattered, and along with it, his hope of becoming his own man, recognized for his own accomplishments in his own name. Not as Stratford in Lords, but as Manning in Commons.
Who was he fooling? He would always live in his father’s shadow, even when he inherited the marquessate. At least if a writ of acceleration was issued, he would serve in Lords as Baron Amesworth while his father still lived.
Finally gathering his composure, he went in search of the duchess and found her in the ballroom, directing the servants to remove the last vestiges of the evening’s ball.
He hadn’t had many interactions with Ashton’s wife, but when he delivered Ashton’s message, she confirmed all accounts that she was an uncommonly kind woman.
“I expected no less of Harry, Lord Manning. Of course he would insist on remaining with your father.” She placed a slender hand on his arm and squeezed. Her incredible violet eyes, filled with compassion, met his. “Rest assured, Harry will do his utmost for your father. My husband takes all of his responsibilities seriously, but practicing medicine is his one great love.”
Colin found a genuine smile tugging at his lips. “Aside from you. You are both very fortunate to have found each other.”
“We’ve had our share of trials.” She gave another squeeze and then released him. “But here I am detaining you when I’m sure you wish to be with Anne. I’m so sorry the joyful spirit of the day was dampened.”
