Page 75 of The Earl She Once Saved

Verity rose too quickly. The chair shifted behind her.

“The fever has worsened.”

“I see that.”

“He must be kept cool. There is medicine upon the table.”

Ezra nodded. “I shall see to it.”

Verity gathered the basin. She did not look at Rafe.

“Verity.”

She stopped. Rafe could not remember what he meant to say. Thank you seemed insufficient. Stay was impossible.

Verity waited, her back to him. When no words came, she left and the door closed. Rafe stared after her.

Ezra crossed the room and sat in the chair she had abandoned.

“You look dreadful,” he said.

Rafe let his head sink into the pillow. “Not the first time I have heard that.”

“I imagine you have earned it.”

The fever had begun to drag at him again, but one thought remained clear.

“She is the girl.”

Ezra paused with the medicine bottle in his hand.

“From the hospital,” Rafe clarified. “The one I drew.”

“Yes.”

Rafe opened his eyes. “You knew?”

Ezra shrugged. “I suspected.”

“How?”

Ezra poured the medicine. “You have drawn one face for years, although you were rather rude in not letting me see it. I did steal a few quick glances, though.”

“That does not explain—”

“You arrived at Edgeworth, saw Lady Verity and became incapable of behaving like a sensible man.”

“I behave sensibly.”

“You followed her into the countryside in the middle of the night.”

“She was alone.”

“You threw yourself beneath a horse.”

“She was falling.”

“You rode into a storm after an elderly dog.”