[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
"Good God! Er, I had no idea you were occupied." He looked amazingly
embarrassed.
"I'll return later. Er, carry on." He started to back away.
Jack rolled off the bed and rose in one graceful movement.
"I was just leaving." The intimate warmth had gone from his voice;
instead it was coolly reserved.
"Please don't let me interfere with your conversation."
Claire stared at him, her blood suddenly flowing as cold as his
voice.
"Jack, please wait..."
He glanced down at her.
"I will inform your brother we are leaving in two days." He stalked
out of the room with a curt nod at Harry. Harry waited for a moment
before crossing the room.
"Poor timing on my part. Although your message seemed rather urgent.
So, what did you want to see me about?"
A tear squeezed out from Claire's lids.
"Nothing." His brow shot up.
She slumped back against her pillows.
"I never sent for you. Could you please just go and... and leave me?"
He looked at her, a frown creasing his forehead, and then left.
Jane refused to let her come down to dinner.
ABC Amber Text Converter Unregistered, http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/processtext/
"You will need all the rest you can get if you are to leave soon."
"Jack told you that?"
"Yes. Edward was not a bit pleased. Apparently, Lady Rotham has told
him the castle is practically a ruin and he's convinced you'll end up
with a dreadful illness."
"Oh, dear."
Jane made a face.
"I fear we'll have another uncomfortable dinner as we did last night.
You will be much better off up here. The Duchess has finally persuaded
Lady Rotham and Alicia to come away with her tomorrow, so perhaps we'll
have a bit of peace."
"And you and Edward?" Claire hated to see them at such odds with each
other.
"We are at least civil to one another."
It didn't sound very good. But there was nothing Claire could think of
to do. Perhaps if they all left Jane and Edward could make up their
quarrel.
Still, it was difficult to eat by herself despite the excellent beef
and the side dish of peas. She ate a few bites of the mushrooms--a
dish she cared little for under the best of circumstances--and finally
shoved everything aside. Even the apricot tart, her favourite, failed
to please her appetite.
The maid came to take away her tray. Restless, Claire threw back her
covers and climbed out of bed. Her legs still felt shaky and the
slight nausea she'd experienced earlier had returned. She made her way
to the chair in front of her dressing-table and sat heavily, tears of
frustration springing to her eyes. Oh, why must she feel so unwell
still? And where was Jack? Perhaps he'd changed his mind about taking
her with him. He'd looked so grim again when Harry had interrupted
them.
She was beginning to feel even sicker, and her stomach had started to
ABC Amber Text Converter Unregistered, http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/processtext/
cramp. She tried to stand, but the wave of nausea that hit her made
her feel so faint she collapsed back on the chair. Perhaps, if she
rested her head on the desk for a minute, she could make it back to
bed. She closed her eyes and laid her head on her crossed arms,
willing the sickness to pass.
"Claire? What the devil are you doing out of bed?"
She barely managed to lift her head as Jack entered the room. He
stared at her and then was across the room in a few quick strides. His
face swam before her, and she was hit by another wave of dizziness and
nausea so strong, she started to fall. Strong arms caught her.
"I'm putting you to bed."
"No." And she was sick again at his feet.
Jack shot away from his position against the wall as Dr. Burke came
out of Claire's bedchamber into the passageway.
"My wife. How is she?"
The physician, a tall, thin man with a pair of intelligent eyes,
frowned.
"She has been bled, and I have given her a draught to help her rest.
She is calm for now. If I may speak with you privately, my lord."
"Yes," Jack said curtly. Icy fingers of fear clutched at his heart at
the man's expression. He'd never seen a person become as ill as Claire
in such a short time. He'd hovered over her, trying to help ease her
pain, until Dr. Burke had arrived, and then Jane had gently suggested
he leave. Both Jane and the Duchess were still in the room with her.
"We can go to my study," Edward said.
Jack started. He'd nearly forgotten Edward had stood in the hall with
him. He was about to tell Edward he would speak to the physician
alone, but the sight of his own fear reflected in Edward's face stopped
him.
Edward led them to his study. Dr. Burke put his bag on the desk, then
clasped his hands behind his back as he turned to face them. He rested
ABC Amber Text Converter Unregistered, http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/processtext/
his stern gaze on Jack.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plalternate.pev.pl
|
|
|
