“If we’re lucky, the fever will break by dawn,” Mrs. Reed said from across the room. “That’s how it usually goes.”
“Do you wish to sit with him awhile?” Evie’s tone was full of sympathy and concern.
Gray had no idea how to tell her that being in the man’s presence, even now, made his gut roil with tension and wariness. He knew that he should feel something beyond fear and loathing for the man, but his father made it all but impossible.
“I’ll stay with him a bit.” As much as he wanted Evie by his side, he couldn’t ask her to sit idly at the man’s bedside with him.
“Do you want me to go?”
Gray squeezed her hand and found a moment of peace when he looked into her green eyes. “I do, but I can’t ask you to. I thought the situation was dire, but it seems we won’t know more until morning.”
“I’m willing to stay with you.”
She meant now, to support him while he waited to see if his father’s health improved, but they were so close to the words Gray wanted to hear from her that he couldn’t hold back a smile.
Then a knock sounded at the chamber door, and they both glanced back to see who’d come up to visit his father.
“Oh good, you’re here.” Gray’s aunt rushed into the room and stopped near his father’s bed. “Is this the end?” she whispered worriedly.
“No, I don’t think it is.” Gray told her honestly. “I trust Mrs. Reed’s assessment that the fever he has now will likely break by morning.” Gray glanced back at the nurse. “But we’ll send for the doctor nonetheless.”
Mrs. Reed nodded and slipped from the room.
Evie had slid her hand from his as soon as his aunt approached, but Gray looked over at her now.
“Miss Granger pointed out that there’s no pallor to his skin and his breathing seems steady.” Gray offered Evie a soft smile. “She was good enough to accompany me up here.”
His aunt stepped back and assessed with Evie critically. “Yes, well, I’d ask that Miss Granger returns to the other guests.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Gray ground his teeth at how his aunt dictated Evie’s movements as if she was a servant to command.
Evie seemed to sense his irritation. “It’s all right. I’ll go.”
“Let your aunt know of Titus’s condition and do your best to reassure the young ladies that all is well with my nephew.” His aunt turned her gaze toward Gray. “It’s too late for any further games or dancing tonight, so we’ll start again bright and early tomorrow.”
“I’ll inform my aunt and the other guests.” Evie glanced at him, then stepped away.
Gray felt immediately bereft, as if her departure would take away all the warmth from the room, despite the overfed fire.
He followed her toward the door, ignoring his aunt’s gaze tracking them both.
At the threshold, he opened the door for her and then followed her out, pulling the door almost shut behind him.
“Aren’t you staying with him?”
“I will for a bit.” He didn’t honestly know how long her could bear remaining in the room. “But I still need to speak to you,” he said quietly.
She stared at him a moment, and he wished he could read her thoughts. Wished he could kiss her again andfeelthe power of what was between them.
“Tomorrow?” she finally asked on a husky whisper.
“Tonight?” Gray asked her boldly. “Let me come to you and you come to me.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know if I can.”
Gray reached out to tuck a strand of red-gold hair behind her ear, savoring the jolt of pleasure that ran through him whenever their bodies were connected.
