An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(29)
She moved closer and set her hands on his chest, rubbing his body soothingly, astonished by the confession but not the fact. There was little to love in a man who would behave as Lord Templeton had tonight.
Lord Maitland trembled under her touch, but it was not grief that had changed him. It was rage.
“It will be all right,” she promised.
“Will it?”
Very slowly, Theodora slipped her hands up to cup his face as Amy Cabot had done earlier. Lord Maitland had previously rebuffed Theodora’s romantic overtures, but in the wake of what had happened tonight, she might be excused in her bid to offer comfort.
His cheeks were hot with the evidence of his temper, and she scratched against the whiskers of his cheeks with a half-smile. Oh, this man was a challenge. One moment carefree and unaffected yet the next, brimming over with so many emotions he couldn’t hope to hide them from her. He would not want platitudes or promises of a swift recovery for a man he despised. He would want facts that meant something to him.
“It has been my experience that few recover from such an affliction as the doctor described. Templeton will linger, helpless as an infant, until he dies, most likely.”
Lord Maitland trembled and then grasped her elbows tightly. “I want that.”
Although surprised by his venom, Theodora leaned into his embrace, using her whole body to connect with him. What kind of monster had Lord Templeton been to his son that death was preferred, anticipated, with such violent longing?
They stood together for a long while, Theodora plastered to Lord Maitland in a way that made her pulse race. She stroked his face gently, tangled her fingers in his wavy hair until he relaxed against her fully. His head dropped to rest against hers and he sighed raggedly. Comfort, however, was not to be mistaken for affection or, by any stretch of the imagination, a prelude to intimacy.
Theodora slowly drew back, cupping his cheeks again and smiling up into his face. If Lord Maitland saw his father again tonight, he would no doubt become angry. Theodora could help him by stepping between them. “A good secretary might be asked to oversee the care of his employer’s family and report any developments as they occur.”
“And you are an outstanding secretary,” he whispered with a half-smile tugging his lips.
“The best you’ve ever had.” Theodora caught his eye and winked, hoping further levity might be desirable at a time like this. “I shall go down and await the carriage bearing Lord Templeton and report to you any new developments after he is settled in his bedchamber. You may depend on me to keep you informed. Where will I find you when I have something to report?”
“With my mother, most likely.” He shuddered and straightened from his slouch. “She will not want to sit at my father’s bedside, either. She has a sitting room next to her bedchamber. Look for me there.”
Theodora grasped his hand and squeezed. “I cannot imagine the pain you both feel today over such a terrible betrayal, but I promise to do all I can to lessen your cares.”
He ran one finger down her cheek, causing her to shiver. “You already have.”
On impulse, Theodora pressed a kiss to his cheek before she peeked out into the hall.
Lord Maitland caught Theodora’s hand before she could escape. “Thank you.”
She nodded and, when released, she left him quickly, hurrying downstairs to find a servant that could direct her to the rear of the house and the mews. The carriage should be arriving at any time now and she would wait amongst the household staff for Lord Templeton’s arrival.
Later, when Lord Maitland had time to grapple with his own feelings, he would come and speak to his father alone. She was sure there were many things he should get off his chest before it was too late to speak his mind to the man who’d betrayed him.
She did not have very long to wait for the cart conveying Lord Templeton, and he was carried inside, still and silent strapped on a house door with just a pillow under his head and a blanket over him. As Theodora glanced around her, it became clear there was not a damp eye among the servants of Newberry House. Lord Templeton was not likely to be missed by many here.
Once the earl was settled into his bedchamber, the evening dragged into the new day with no change in Lord Templeton’s condition and nothing worthy to report each hour. He clung to life with a tenacity Theodora never expected, living many hours beyond what she had initially been told he might. During the long day, a handful of highly regarded physicians came to examine him, prod him. One had even sent a current of electricity through his left hand in a bid to stir movement, to no avail.
Only the original physician remained to monitor the patient beyond luncheon.
There was not much to do or see. The only thing that caused any reaction was mention of Lord Maitland’s name in passing. Just the smallest hitch in Lord Templeton’s breath denoted awareness of his surroundings.
Theodora studied the prone figure across the room as the day drew to a close. As expected, neither her employer nor Lady Templeton had visited the patient. They awaited her hourly reports in other parts of the house; their only words were of thanks for her coming.
It was nearing time for her next report too. She stood, a little stiff from her hours-long vigil, and approached the bed.
Lord Templeton met Theodora’s gaze. He blinked several times.
Her heart skipped a beat at the response. “Can you hear me, my lord?”