Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(38)

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m positive. It’s a second marriage for both of us. A grand affair wouldn’t be appropriate. And I’ve no desire to hobnob with a bunch of people I hardly know.”

“I think an intimate gathering sounds wonderful, Iris,” Lucy said. “Maggie and I and the girls will have loads of fun planning it, won’t we?”

“I’m chock-full of ideas, Auntie Lucy,” Ally gushed. “Do let’s go start planning!”

“All right, dear,” Lucy laughed.



Cameron and Tricia stopped in a small shop in Bath to pick up the quills and parchment that he needed, and then they rode to the hospital. A young nurse showed them to Kat’s room. Kat was sitting up in bed, and her mother was feeding her broth.

“Cam!” Kat shouted.

“My sweet Kitty-Kat,” he said, “you’re better aren’t you!”

“Much.”

“Mother?” Tricia asked hesitantly.

“I sent word this morning,” Mrs. Price said, her face beaming. “Of course I knew it wouldn’t reach you until tomorrow or the next day. I had no idea you were coming.”

“Tricia wanted to come, and I finished work on my new commission, so we had some time. What happened?”

“Kat had a terrible day yesterday. Her fever escalated to nearly one hundred and six degrees, and it wouldn’t come down. The doctors and nurses were beside themselves.”

“Oh dear,” Tricia said.

“Then she had another seizure.”

“Yes, I was shaking and drooling and they had to tie me down!” Kat laughed.

“Mum?” Cameron said.

“She’s right, I’m afraid. It’s was awful.” She looked to Kat. “Goodness, Kat, it’s not funny!”

“Sorry, Mum, but it is. I wish I could have seen myself.”

Cam smiled at his impish little sister. “Kitty-Kat, you will be the death of all of us, do you know that?”

“Tell them the rest, Mum,” Kat said.

“Dr. Blake said it was the worst seizure he had ever seen. They had to give her several different injections before she came out of it. And the doctor said”—Mrs. Price wiped her eyes—“had we not been here, in the hospital, Kat would surely have died.”

Tricia gasped.

Kat continued laughing. “Yes, I almost died, Cam!”

“That’s not the least bit funny, Kat,” Cameron admonished. “Thank goodness you brought her here, Mum.”

“Yes, I’ve thanked God constantly. But Cam, the bill has gone so high. It’s over one hundred fifty pounds already because of all the medication and the special doctors who have been in to look at Kat, and Dr. Blake said that she needs to stay for a few more days to be observed.”

“Don’t worry about the bill, Mum. I can take care of it. But why does she need to stay? Isn’t she better?”

“Yes. The fever has broken, and obviously she’s responsive now. But since they don’t know exactly what caused her illness in the first place, they want to make sure she doesn’t relapse. Evidently there are conditions that can recur, especially conditions that involve seizures.”

“Oh.” Cameron’s heart lurched. “Well, then you’ll stay of course. How many more days?”

“Three or four.”

“That’s no problem. We only want the best for our Kitty-Kat.” Cameron sat down on the bed next to his little sister, gathered her in his arms, and kissed her cheek. “Trish and I sure have missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Cam. I’m so glad you came. I’d like to have more visitors. Could you bring Lady Lily and Lady Rose to visit me?”

Cameron jolted at Rose’s name. “Kat, Lady Lily is the duchess now. She’s on her wedding trip. You’ll be home by the time she returns to the estate.”

“What about Lady Rose?”

Mrs. Price cleared her throat. “Cameron…”

“Mum, Kat, I’m going to go downstairs to the office and take care of the bill. Stay here, Tricia. I won’t be long.”

“But, Cam…” Kat said.

“I’ll be back in an instant, Kitty-Kat.”

“But when will you bring Lady Rose?”

“Hush, Kat,” Mrs. Price said. “Lady Rose is a busy lady of the peerage. She doesn’t have time to visit you.”

“She will if Cameron asks her to.”

“I’ll be back.” Cam walked out the door before he could hear any more of this dreaded conversation. He went down to the first floor and asked for guidance to the bookkeeping office. He entered and found a young man sitting behind a mahogany desk stacked with papers. Cameron cleared his throat.

“Yes?” the man said.

“I’m here to take care of a bill.”

“Of course. What is the name?”

“Katrina Price.”

“All right, give me a minute.” The young man regarded Cameron. “Are you the child’s father?”

“No, our father is deceased. I’m her brother.”

“Oh.” He shuffled several papers. “Yes, here it is. Your bill currently comes to fifty-six pounds.”