Dr. Copeland’s eyes shifted to Maeve’s left hand, and she saw he was checking to see if she were truly wed. When he looked back up, his expression was cool and distant. “Congratulations on your marriage, my lady.”
“Is he likely to live?” Maeve asked. She knew her treatment of Dr. Copeland could have been better, but surely the man realised that Silverton’s health took priority.
She looked back to the bed and the unconscious figure of Silverton. His chest was moving in a slow, rhythmic beat, but his colour was faint. She was furiously angry with him. With his secret keeping. With the lies. With how he had manipulated her. Yet all she wanted was for him to open his eyes and look at her again; then, she could continue being angry in good conscience.
“I can see no reason why he would not live a long life. Given his age and physique.”
“But he has been diagnosed with—”
“My master does not wish his condition to be talked over with anyone he does not trust,” Fischer interjected.
“I trust Dr. Copeland. Entirely. I worked with his sister before I wed his lordship. He is a dear friend,” Maeve said with authority, overruling Fischer. “We may tell him the truth. This is Lord Silverton. His personal doctor does not believe his lordship will live out the year.”
Benjamin’s pale-blue eyes rounded, then he looked down at the vial before glancing back up. “You may trust my discretion.”
“You are too kind.” Maeve followed him away from the bedside and across to the table, Fischer keeping close.
“It is hard for me to say precisely what is wrong with your husband. But I should like to test this medicine and come to a more definite conclusion. Take his blood and consult with my colleagues at the hospital.”
“You were awarded the Brighton position, then?” Maeve asked.
“Both of us have been elevated, it seems,” Dr. Copeland replied.
“I wrote to Miss Copeland.”
“Yes, I saw your note to Helen and your apologies.”
“I did wish to write to you personally but…” Maeve trailed off. She didn’t have the words to describe precisely how, as it appeared, she had fallen victim to the beguiling of a seductive viscount. Or how much it mattered to her that Dr. Copeland help Silverton now, regardless of how embarrassed she felt.
“Do you have more of the medicine?” Dr. Copeland waved away whatever she had been about to say.
“Yes, if you follow me into the side chamber, I will fetch out the rest of vials for your inspection.” She knew it was better than trying to separate the ever-loyal Fischer from his master.
Trailing in her wake, Dr. Copeland followed Maeve into the adjoining room whilst she searched through her husband’s belongings for the rest of his medicine.
“It seems an advantageous union for you.” Dr. Copeland’s eyes travelled over the numerous books, boxes of chocolates, and fresh flowers that had filled up the hotel room.
“My husband is most kind,” Maeve said. It was only a lie in part. Suddenly, she was feeling defensive of both herself and of her position. She found the vials and passed several across to Dr. Copeland. “How long do you believe your tests will take?”
“I take it that money is no barrier for these tests to be carried out?”
“No, none at all.”
Dr. Copeland slotted five of the offered vials into his satchel. “I will test these and check in on the patient, that way—”
The adjoining doorway was pushed open with a ferocity that surprised Maeve, and in marched the exhausted and drained looking Silverton, with Fischer hurrying by his side. Silverton looked from Dr. Copeland to Maeve with suspicious eyes.
“I heard you were old acquaintances.”
“That is right, my lord,” said the doctor.
Shooting out a hand, Silverton grabbed hold of Fischer to steady himself before he turned to look at Maeve. “I cannot stay here. But you must. Remain in Brighton until I send for you. Your services are not required by me, good Doctor. Pay him,” he muttered to Fischer as his eyes went to Dr. Copeland, and he gave the man a withering glance before returning to look at Maeve. He moved to her side, and said only for her ears, “I do not want to see you in London, am I understood? It is a matter of life and death. You will stay here until I deem it safe. I will write to you when my brother is dead.”
Despite herself, despite even Silverton, Maeve found herself nodding, and when she looked back up, she found she had been left with a confused-looking Dr. Copeland, and no idea where to begin trying to explain the situation to him. She was not even sure she could explain it to herself.
CHAPTER13
It had been three weeks since he had left his wife in Brighton, and Silverton wished it was just the weeks he was counting, not the hours and days. He had hoped to have returned to Maeve already, but so far it had proved impossible. His twin had insisted that Silverton was unlovable, and it might well be true. Of the opposing emotion, hatred, Silverton knew all too well, and it was his mission to remove his brother from the world.
