page22 (1/2)
Eversham nodded “It see a trauma—a blow, for instance—as it does in a number of other, quite different maladies The point is, my lord, your mother evidently suffered a severe concussion, which it is impossible to inherit”
He took up one of the sheets containing Gwendolyn’s notes “Furthermore, Her Ladyship has detected in you none of the usual sy, since there are none to detect”
Evershaly “You are remarkably fit,” he added, “especially for a me order Both your penical and orderly presentation of highly personal and emotionally-laden information leave that in no doubt” He returned his attention to the sheet in his hand “She reports no lethargy or fatigue No restlessness or sleeplessness No difficulties with attention to detail and concentration—as your proposal for the hospital clearly demonstrates” He cleared his throat “And it would appear that the reproductive functions are—er—functioning” He looked up, sratulate you, my lord That is a pleasant event to look forward to, is it not?”
His Lordship had only just est the matter of a concussion he could not possibly have inherited It took hi which he stared stupidly at Eversham
It took another ?” he asked, dazed “Look forward to—? I have—You have—” He thrust his hair back “Haven’t you overlooked sos The—the ‘visual chiical phenoical ailments, my wife said”
Eversha others, these are classic sy you”
“Migraine?” Dorian repeated “As in‘rims’?”
“Not ri headaches Still, they’re not fatal, for all that”
“You are telling round out, “that all this time” His face heated “All these ot is a bleeding, damned headache?”
Eversham frowned and returned the paper to the pile with the rest and straightened them, while Dorian listened to the silence stretch on and wondered ould come to fill it Eversham had just said they were headaches Not fatal Why then, was he hesitating?
GWENDOLYN HAD THOUGHT she heard Dorian’s voice, but when she reached the library door, all was quiet within She opened it for a quick peep to be sure
At that moment, another, equally familiar masculine voice broke the silence
“I wish I could say otherwise, h it has been studied for centuries, it rema I have never yet encountered two cases precisely alike I aret, for I know it is murderously painful And I cannot pro, for there is strong evidence that it is an inherited predisposition”
A choked sob escaped her
Two azes—one blue, one golden—shot to her before she could retreat
“Oh,” she said “I do beg your pardon I did not mean to interrupt” She hastily shut the doorand fled
Gwendolyn ran blindly down the hall, yanked the front door open, hurtled through it and down the steps—and ran straight into Bertie
“I say, Ghere are you—”
She pushed past hi, which one of the stable away
She snatched the reins froroom
Bertie hurried up to her “I say, Ghat’s happened?”
“Give htly
He bent and clasped his hands together “Don’t tell ain,” he said as he hoisted her up “I thought he’d get on well enough with Eversha out to let Dain knohen I seen you turn into the drive and never was so astonished in all my life You were supposed to be in—”
“Gwendolyn!”
Bertie swung round “There he is, Gwen Ain’t gone after all What was you—”
“Let go of my foot, Bertie”
He let go, but Dorian reached theht hold of the bridle “My dear, I don’t knohat you—”