Page 74 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

She wanted to fight him, wanted to hear more, but instead, she turned to him. “It just matters that Tim gets better. That the doctor can help him. I hope it is not too late.”

Her voice caught, and Nicholas, his eyes tender, pulled her close. Cordelia breathed in and held it, but she didn’t fight as she laid her head on his chest. He was still damp and yet so lovely and warm.

“I know it isn’t good for one so young to have such a fever. And I don’t know how he could have caught it. We’ve worked so hard to keep them safe and happy and healthy. And he can’t leave us, Nicholas. He can’t.”

She closed her eyes as his fingers slid slowly up and down the length of her back, not in a sensual way, only comforting. She felt the vibration of his voice through his chest as he spoke.

“The doctor will tell us just what to do. Tim is strong, like his father. Everything will be all right, my dear.”

She swallowed and nodded, not letting go of him. But when the doctor opened the door, she jumped back as if they were caught doing something untoward, and the doctor cleared his throat. She chided herself for her silly behavior.

Even when I am angry with him, I cannot seem to keep away.

The doctor held his bag and closed it as he left the room. “The immediate danger has passed, I believe. He will need a lot of rest and fluids. Do as much as you can to keep the fever down, as you have been doing. You must also give him this twice a day.” He lifted a small bottle out, and Cordelia took it from him, her heart leaping with hope.

The doctor glanced back at the room with a frown before he turned to them and lowered his voice. “However, I think you ought to remove the young girl from the room. It could be spread to her, and I wouldn’t want that. Keep them apart for a few days while the boy rests.”

Cordelia’s heart sank. She knew that was a reasonable request, but she did not relish the thought of tearing Olivia away from her brother.

“Very well, doctor. Thank you.”

“I have already given him his evening dose, but be sure to give this to him in the morning.”

“Thank you.”

“I will walk you to the door, doctor,” Nicholas said, and Cordelia let them go while she rushed into the room, grateful to be back at Tim’s side again.

Mrs. Browning smiled. “The doctor seems hopeful, Your Grace.”

“Yes, he does.”

Olivia was at Tim’s bedside, staring up at him, her thoughts of her toys forgotten. Cordelia looked at her, afraid of how she would handle the separation.

It must be done. For her own sake as well as Tim’s. It will just be a few days.

“Did you hear that, Olivia? Tim just needs some rest. That’s all.”

Olivia was frowning, staring at him, poking at his arm. “He’s warm,” she said, and Cordelia nodded, taking Olivia’s hand.

“Yes, but now we have medicine to help him get better. You would like that wouldn’t you?”

Olivia nodded. Cordelia could feel Nicholas before she heard him, standing in the doorway and looking at them all for a few seconds before he spoke.

“My dear Olivia,” he said, coming close, leaning down until he was on a level with her, his eyes looking fondly at Tim before he turned to Olivia. “Tim is a tired boy right now, and he needs a lot of rest. I thought perhaps, while he is resting, you and I could spend time together. We can eat and play games, and you can sleep by me for a few days. What do you think?”

Olivia’s lip trembled. “I want to see Tim.”

Cordelia’s heart threatened to break as she saw the tears in Olivia’s eyes. But she remained silent, the comforting sound of Nicholas’s calming voice a balm to her. He gave Olivia his most charming smile, and it was as if all the young women in the room let out a collective sigh.

He really does know how to charm with a single look, doesn’t he?

She felt a swell of affection for him, more than affection, but she pushed it down, knowing that he was doing what was best for Olivia and Tim and that was all. She had sent him notes, and he’d waited hours to come. She could not simply forget that.

“I know you do, Olivia. And we will check on him, but you want your brother to get better right?”

Olivia nodded, her lip still trembling, her arm still clutching her cloth lamb.

“Rest and quiet will make him better. Soon enough, he will be back playing with you in the garden. Come. I will ask Cook to make you your favorite biscuits before we go to bed.”