“People around town tell me, and they don’t lie. You really are a wonderful man. Who else would have put up with the kind of life my sis—” She suddenly broke off, and her face turned ashen.
“What?” His stomach clenched with uncertainty.
She swallowed hard. A pasty smile touched her mouth but didn’t reach her eyes. “What I meant to say was that people are impressed with the way you publicly handled my past transgressions.”
That wasn’t what she’d intended to say, yet he had no idea what had been on her mind just then. There for a moment, he thought she was going to saysister. If so, why would she say that?
He relaxed on his elbow. “Thank you.”
“Well, we better get some sleep.” She snuggled into the covers and lay on her back. “You have to get up early tomorrow and win the fox hunt.”
“I don’t believe there are winners or losers in this particular sport, my dear. Except for the fox, of course.” He chuckled again. “Have you never been to a fox hunt?”
She met his gaze. “No. I stayed home most of the time taking care of my ill father.”
Confusion washed over him. “I thought you told me your sister took care of him.”
Once again, color drained from her face. “Actually, both of us took care of him.”
“Oh, well… Then I feel sorry for your lack of knowledge on the fox hunt. Just don’t let the other women know tomorrow, and you will be just fine.”
“I appreciate the advice.”
He rolled on his back, making himself comfortable again, hopefully for the last time. But his mind swam with questions. Of course, it had been happening quite a bit lately, but tonight he’d received the impression she were purposely trying to hide something from him.
“Camilla?”
“Yes?”
“I have been meaning to ask since you returned from visiting your sister, but never had the chance.”
“Ask what?”
“How is she faring? Is she well?”
Silence followed, and he turned his head to see why she hesitated. She chewed on her bottom lip, making her appear much younger. Something pressed on her mind, that was certain, and he hoped she would share that with him.
She licked her lips and met his stare. “To be honest, she isn’t doing well at all.”
“What ails her?”
“Do you recall how my father died?”
“I think you mentioned he slowly lost his mind, and then his body ceased to function.”
“That is correct. Now my sister is showing the same signs. I’m extremely worried about her. I fear she may die, but her stay in the hospital is necessary and certainly creating bills.”
He turned to his side to face her again. “Was she like that during her marriage to the earl?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“How bad is she?”
“She is in an institution for those who have gone mad.”
He widened his eyes. “It’s that serious?”
“Yes.”
