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Honoria let out a little snort "I’lad you’re not"

"I’ht Travers would propose Or if not hihaht they would, too Lord Bailey in particular see It was as if they lost interest overnight" She shrugged and looked back down at Marcus "Maybe it’s for the best What do you think, Marcus? You didn’t hed "Not that that has anything to do with it, but I suppose I value your opinion" She let out a tiny snort of laughter "Can you believe I just said that?"

He turned his head

"Marcus?" Was he awake? She peered down at hin ofanything

"What is it?" her mother asked

"I’m not certain He moved his head I mean, of course he’s done that before, but this was different" She squeezed his shoulder, praying that he could feel her through the haze of his fever "Marcus? Can you hear me?"

His lips, dry and cracked, moved the tiniest bit "Hon – Hon – "

Oh, thank God

"Don’t speak," she said "It’s all right"

"Hurts," he gasped "Like thedevil"

"I know I know I’m so sorry"

"Is he conscious?" herthe bed so that she could take Marcus’s hand She laced her fingers through his and held tight "You have a terrible cut on your leg We’re trying to clean it It’s going to hurt Rather badly, I’ave a small nod

Honoria looked over at Mrs Wetherby "Do we have any laudanuive him some while he is able to s"

"I believe so," the housekeeper said She had not stopped wringing her hands since she’d come back with the hot water and towels, and she looked relieved to have soht now There is only one place it would be"

"Good idea," Lady Winstead said Then she stood and moved toward the head of the bed "Can you hear me, Marcus?"

His chin moved Not much, but a bit

"You’re very ill," she said

He actually s in return, "stating the obvious, I know But you’re going to be perfectly fine, I assure you It’s just going to be a little painful at first"

"Little?"