Page 67 of When We Touch

Now Gull turned and glared at Maggie. “Precisely what was happening when this occurred?”

She glared back at Gull. Jamie was pleased to see the temper and spirit that seemed to see her through most events leap to the fore. “We were just married this afternoon, Sir William.”

“You are saying that . . . ?”

“Good God!” Jamie found himself exploding. “Yes, he was in a state of sexual excitement!”

Once again, Maggie reddened. She didn’t dispute his words, nor did she elaborate on them.

“All of you, out!” Sir William said. “I will now see to the patient alone!”

Jamie was not about to be pushed about by the man. He approached Dr. Mayer, though. “Perhaps you could see to Lady Langdon. I believe she might require a sedative. I intend to stay with my uncle.”

Sir William glared at him.

“Are you suggesting, sir, that I need assistance?” Gull was outraged.

“Never, Sir William,” Jamie assured him. “It’s just that this man is very near to being a father to me, and I would not leave him now.”

“I’m . . . I’m his wife,” Maggie said, her voice one of quiet steel.

All three men looked at her.

Dr. Mayer was the only one with the sense to talk to her in a manner to improve the situation. He came to her, kneeling before her. “My lady, you are looking gravely ill yourself. Should he need your tender care in the days to come, you must see to your own health. Please, come with me.”

At his gentle behest, Maggie rose at last, and allowed him to lead her out.

Sir William Gull made a sniffing noise in Jamie’s direction, but then went on to examine Charles.

And when he was done, he turned to Jamie. “His heart.”

That was quite obvious. Jamie didn’t say so.

“He is in a coma. I don’t know whether he will survive the night or not. If he does . . . there is a chance that he will pull through. A slim chance. I will stay for the evening. However, if he dies . . . I shall autopsy the body.”

“For what reason?”

“I will see if he has been poisoned.”

“Why should you suspect such a thing?”

“That answer is quite obvious. The lady stands to make quite an inheritance, doesn’t she?”

“The title will be mine, Sir William.”

Sir William waved a hand in the air. To him, the answer was quite obvious. Jamie might have said that he would refuse to have an autopsy for his uncle.

But to do so would be foolish. And an autopsy would show the truth.

“I will stay here as well,” Jamie said softly, and took the chair by the hearth himself.

* * *

Maggie awoke in a state of misery. The world was foggy—Dr. Mayer had gotten her to take a dose of laudanum, and so she felt groggy, and her head pounded, but the events of the last evening were far too clear.

She had been sleeping in a guest room and some of her belongings had been hastily brought there the night before. She needed to rise, quickly dress, and prepare herself for the day, sure to be a long one. But she couldn’t quite bring herself to rise, her feeling of dread was so great.

As she lay there, trying to force herself to get up, her door suddenly burst open.