Page 42 of An Arranged Marriage with a Mad Marquess
Shehadencouraged Neil to explore other treatment options. Could his latest fit really be due to not taking his medicine? Had she encouraged him to do something damaging to his health? Guilt stabbed at her chest.
She backed away further, coming up with her back against a bookshelf. Her heart was pounding. She felt ill.
As if he sensed her uneasiness, Clayton glanced her way. His eyes narrowed, just for a moment, and then he began to head towards her. Her heart sank.
“I don’t mean to pry, Patrina,” he muttered, lowering his voice so that only she could hear, “but I must know what you and my cousin were discussing before this attack came.”
She flinched. “I beg your pardon?”
“As I said, I don’t mean to pry.”
“Well, youareprying. I can’t see how it’s relevant.”
He chuckled wryly, tilting his head. “Really? Well, he often has fits when he is upset or distressed. Whatever you were discussing, it upset him enough to cause this.”
Patrina flushed. “Are you saying that this is my fault?”
Yes,was the unspoken answer, coming across plain and clear.
“Of course not,” Clayton responded smoothly. The smile on his face had not budged an inch. “I’m just concerned about my cousin, as I’m sure you can understand. Wanting to marry is an entirely natural feeling, of course, but frankly I’m not sure he iscut out for it. His health, you know. Still, what’s done is done, and you areof coursepart of the family now.”
Am I? Am I really?
“What was going on? Why was he in the library at this time of day?” Emma asked, voice cutting above the anxious murmurs and chaos. Cynthia had placed a pillow under her brother’s head, and the butler had draped a blanket over him. The physician had been summoned, and would apparently be there in half an hour at the most.
“He and Patrina were having a private conference here,” Clayton said, not looking at Patrina at all. “I believe she sent him a note – he and I were playing billiards at the time, drinking tea and having a little conversation – and he hurried off in a frightful state. I was a little worried about him, to be frank. I came to find him, and they looked… well, they looked rather serious, the two of them. And then poor Neil just collapsed.”
Patrina bit the inside of her cheek. Clayton had just stated the facts, but he reallydidmake it sound as if it were all her fault. As if she had triggered the fit, somehow.
Perhaps I did. I don’t understand his condition. Perhaps thisismy fault.
Emma glanced briefly at Patrina, lips pursed.
“What onearthwas so important?” Thomasin demanded, voice high and shrill. “Why summon him away like that, Patrina? Did you give him some shocking news?”
“No, nothing like that,” she heard herself say, although her voice was weak and unconvincing. Emma still said nothing. Blame simmered in her eyes.
“Everybody out, I think,” Clayton said, clapping his hands. “Let’s give him some air, shall we? Patrina, would you mind stepping out too?”
“Yes, of course,” Patrina muttered, as if there was anything else she could have said.
The door was closed firmly behind her, and then she realized that she was the only one who had been ushered outside.
