“Exactly. Also because if anything happened to you because you ignored the doctors’ advice, I would never forgive myself. So indulge me, and do as you were told.”
She didn’t like it, but he had a look about him that did not encourage more rebellion. “I will stay resting in bed three days. However, if after that I am myself again, and have no pains or anything else, I will decide I am fully recovered and I want you to admit as much too.”
He closed his eyes in forbearance, but nodded.
“Now please move the lamp back next to the bed so I am not in shadows.”
A big sigh, but he did so.
She took his hand in hers. The knuckles looked red. “Where were you?”
“Out and about.”
She ran her thumb over those knuckles. “Did you kill him?”
“No.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “I brought Jeremy. His mission was to make sure I didn’t, much as I wanted to. There were some fisticuffs, however, in order to subdue him.”
She pictured him walking into that fetid chamber, hard and angry, with Jeremy at his side. Mr. Marin must have panicked at the sight of two men looking for vengeance. “What did you do with him?”
“I gave him a choice. He could enter one carriage that was waiting, that would take him to the establishment in the country where his cousin hoped he could be treated. Or he would enter another one, and be taken to the magistrate to answer for attempting to kill you.”
“I trust he chose to go to the country.”
“As I said, there were fisticuffs. I’m sure when it was over, he agreed with me that would be the better decision.”
She looked him over again. “You had better not let Brigsby see you, if he is still here. He will insist on bathing and grooming you within an inch of your life if he has the chance.”
“That is why I came right here. That and so I could make sure you were not being disobedient. Which you were.”
“Was it your intention to stand watch all night to make sure I did not move from here?”
“My intention was to stay here all night and lay cool compresses on your head. I did not expect to find you so recovered.”
She looked at her body making hills in the bedclothes. “You don’t have to sit in that chair. I have been ordered to stay in bed. I have not been ordered to stay in bed alone.”
He laughed a little. “Unfortunately, I was ordered not to impose on you. It was the last thing the physician said before going out the door.”
“Sleeping beside me is not imposing. I am sure I will recover all the faster if you hold me.” She moved over in the bed. “It isn’t big, but you should fit.”
“I’m sure I will.” He stood and shed his frockcoat and waistcoat. He untied and pulled off his cravat. After removing his boots and turning out the lamp, he lay down next to her.
“You could get under the sheet with me.”
“Beth is sure to arrive at dawn to take my place by your side. Better not to.” He did turn and slide his arm under, so he could embrace her. That felt unbearably good, as if his hold made the whole day’s ugliness go away.
“I realized something today,” she said. “When it was happening, I remembered something I had forgotten. It was just there in my head.”
He yawned, and turned on his stomach. “What was that?”
“That day when I was given that money, he said something to me. The boy who brought it. I forgot it almost at once. But when he handed that box over, he said something. ‘I was told to tell you, next time, fight back.’ I heard that in my head today. And I wonder—”
“Wonder what?”
“I wonder if whoever sent that money knew what was happening in our house.”
“I think he did know. I even think I know how. He had to know.”
“Because otherwise he would not have given me that money?”
