“By all means, if you want him in a high fever. He may have a tisane, rather.”
Picturing the volatile Falcon sipping medicinal tea, Rossiter smothered a grin.
“I sent my woman to fetch some tea half an hour ago,” said Miss Falcon. “I suppose they are very busy in the kitchen. I shall have to go down and see if I cannot make it myself. Could you please stay with my brother, sir, until I return?”
The apothecary made a dart for the door. He most certainly could not stay. He had to take a man’s foot off in the morning, and must be up early. The door slammed behind him and they could hear him grumbling his way along the hall with many references to the cantankerous Quality.
“Good Lord,” muttered Rossiter. “I pity his patient! Well, I’ll get on my way, ma’am.”
She begged him to remain “just a few minutes” longer. He wanted nothing more than to get to his home, but he could not resist those pleading eyes, and agreed. “Though I doubt you’ll get Falcon to drink a tisane.”
An unexpectedly militant light came into her eyes. “He will drink it,” she declared, and hurried away.
Rossiter glanced at the closed bedroom door, then sat down and stretched out his long legs. Gad, but he was tired! He gripped his left shoulder and flexed it carefully, wondering if the confounded wound would ever stop aching. Of all the beastly luck, to be involved in this nonsensical farce instead of tending to his own—
A crash resounded, followed by Falcon’s irate howl. “Has everybody died? I require assistance! This year!Katrina!”
From the next room came a pounding on the wall, and an irritated guest roared something about being allowed to get some sleep. His answer was a crash indicative of glass shattering against the wall, followed by shouted insults expressing Falcon’s decided lack of interest in his neighbour’s wishes.
Rossiter stuck his head around the bedroom door. “You’ll have the Watch here if you do not cease your caterwauling. What assistance do you require?”
“Some brandy—and your blood,” snarled Falcon, sinking back against the pillows.
Despite his hostile manner, he was very pale and looked exhausted. Rossiter knew all too well what a visit from an apothecary could be like, especially if a bone was chipped, and he checked the scornful remark he’d been about to utter. Walking into the room, he said instead, “Try to behave with asoupçonof sense, else you’ll likely never kill anyone again.”
“Do not refine on that!”
“Dash it all, man! You certainly know ’twas an accident!”
“Easy to say, whenyou’restanding there, andI’mlying here.” Falcon’s jaw set. After a brief pause through which he appeared to be holding his breath, he said in a less sure voice, “I fancy you think this poetic justice.”
Rossiter leaned against the bedpost and watched him thoughtfully. “An you refer to our brawl at Eton, you must attach a deal more importance to it than I did.”
“Importance—hell! I thought it damned ridiculous. I did not plead for your so gallant intervention.”
“Charming as ever, I see,” drawled Rossiter. “You must not fail to write to me if ever you should plan on saying anything pleasant. I’d not miss it for the world.”
A faint glint of amusement came into Falcon’s eyes, but the single word he uttered was not conciliating.
“I entered your little fray,” explained Rossiter, “only because the odds were four to one. I’d have done the same for any fellow.”
“And won yourself precisely the same reward. A black eye and broken nose as I remember—no?”
“Your memory is reliable, at least. Most gentlemen would surely have offered a word or two of thanks. Still, I soon realized that the withholding of such courtesies was not remarkable in your case.”
“Then I taught you something,” sneered Falcon.
“Just so.” Rossiter straightened up. “Good day to you, sir.”
“No—don’t just walk off, dammitall! If you must abandon me, at least have the decency to fetch me some brandy before you go. There’s a decanter in that revolting parlour.”
“Yes, and your sister would have my ears did I give you some. She has gone to brew you a tisane.” He chuckled at the response, and when Falcon ran out of expletives, he said, “The lady has my sympathy. Is there anything you would like me to do forherbefore I leave?”
“No, fiend seize you! Wait! Be sure she has enough blankets. She’ll likely insist on me remaining in this accursed bed.”
“Yes. She seems a most unselfish creature.”
“Does she indeed! Keep your eyes from her, I warn you!”
