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Mrs Beecham shook her head “The doctor is still with him I will inform you as soon as there is any news In therooms downstairs”

Madeline prepared herself for an argument “I would rather—”

She was interrupted by the click of the doorknob as the valet opened it froed

Dr Brooke was ahairline and a pair of round spectacles that gave him an owlish look He had a kind face and dark, soleaze fell on Mrs Beecham, then Madeline

“I a forward “I came to ask about Mr Scott's welfare I am his…companion”

The doctor took her hand and bowed politely

“How is he?” the housekeeper asked

Dr Brooke's gaze encompassed them both “Recently I've seen many cases like this I'm sorry to say that this appears to be one of the worst Rather surprising for ain moderation, does he?”

“I'm afraid not,” the housekeeper replied ruefully

“I'll visit again toresses,” the doctor continued “Unfortunately he hasn't yet come into the worst of it Cool hiest feeding him jellies, broth, perhaps a spoonful of milk punch now and then”

“I have an old fa eucalyptus leaves in brandy,” Mrs Beechas?”

“I don't see why not” The doctor paused, his gaze lingering on Madeline “Miss Ridley, may I ask if you intend to help care for Mr Scott?”

“Yes,” Madeline said firmly

“Then I suggest that you limit your association with people outside the household The fever is highly contagious I wouldn't rule out the possibility that you may yet succumb to it”

Mrs Beechaarded Madeline with a perplexed expression “I suppose we'll have to ready a room for you”

Madeline understood the woe of her existence before now They obviously cared for theirsomeone to intrude on his privacy when he was helpless to prevent it “Thank you, Mrs Beecham,” she said quietly “I assure you, an…in every way I can”

The housekeeper nodded, still looking troubled, and gave instructions to the maid In the meanwhile, Dr Brooke bid the the initiative, Madeline slipped through the half-open doorway into the bedroom

It was simply furnished and decorated, with no artwork except a view of clouds and sky painted on the ceiling The rooe bed with a plum silk counterpane and feather pillows piled three deep at the headboard Scott lay covered with a sheet and light blanket, the counterpane folded back to his feet He had been dressed in a suit of flannels, the top half unbuttoned halfway down his chest He slept as if he had been drugged, the side of his flushed face buried in a pillow

As Madeline entered, the valet placed a jug of water and a pile of folded linens on the bedside table A small armchair had been positioned nearby, but Madeline chose to sit on the edge of the an to turn toward her with an incoherent mutter, his eyes still closed His breath scraped in his throat

“It's all right,” Madeline said softly, soaking a linen cloth in the water, wringing it out and laying it on his hot forehead The coolness seemed to soothe him, and he relaxed deeper into the pillow She reached out and dared to stroke his beautiful hair, as she had so often longed to do It was soft and thick beneath her fingers, like dark silk burnished with any

She studied his face, the pallor of his skin e the stark beauty of his bone structure His lashes lay in feathery crescents on his cheeks, the eyelids treh fever-induced dreams Such a proud, solitary man, rendered helpless in sleep, his lips parted like those of a child If she were in love with him, it would devastate her to see him this way

Madeline sat withoutto understand the dull pain that had settled in her chest If she were in love with him, the ache would never leave The memories of him would haunt her every day for the rest of her life…because there would never be another man like him

Briefly she thought of her own dilemma There was so little time for her Perhaps it was already too late, and her parents had discovered that she had left school If they had, they would be frantic orry They would look for her—and once they found her, they would browbeat and threaten her until she crumpled under the pressure She would end up as Lord Clifton's bride in spite of her best efforts to resist Unless she were daoods

She should leave here at once and find someone to have an affair with No doubt there were far ined it would have been so difficult to seduce hiained on his complexity or his unexpected scruples He had refused to dishonor her, and she wouldn't fool herself into thinking she could change his decision

She wasn't needed here Scott had servants to care for him, the services of an excellent doctor, more friends and acquaintances than he could count He would recover without her help Frowning, Madeline watched hi the cloth on his forehead or spooning a few drops of tonic between his lips when the cough became troublesome

Every now and then a servant ca, but she refused Except for those brief intrusions, it seemed that there was no world outside the bedrooan to fade and evening shadows approached

Just as Madeline considered sending for soan to waken He stirred and blinked, his eyes fever-bright Gently Madeline removed the dae of the bed “Mr Scott,” she said, s at him

He stared at her as if she were a figure in a dreahtly detached, and then an answering smile hovered on his lips He spoke in a rusty voice punctuated with harsh coughs “It seeet rid of you”

Madeline poured a glass of water and helped hi her arainst her supporting arm as he took a few listless ss He was very heavy, and thehih, he turned his face away, and she eased him back to the pillow

“Would you like me to leave?” she asked softly

He closed his eyes, taking so long to answer that she thought he ht have fallen asleep once more

“Stay,” he finally said

“Is there someone I should send for to take care of you? A friend or relative—”

“No I want you” He closed his eyes, the conversation finished His fingers curled in a fold of her gown