A Gentleman's Curse (Avenging Lords 4)

“Drugging him is hardly serving his needs,” Hudson countered, seemingly unaffected by her womanly wiles.

Numerous times, Dr Hewlett tried to ignore the hullabaloo and focus on the patient, but the argument proved distracting.

“Perhaps we should leave the doctor to his work,” Claudia suggested. “Complaining is helping no one.”

Justin screwed up his nose as if he’d suddenly caught a whiff of a foul stench. “This has nothing to do with you, so I suggest you remain silent.”

A growl resonated in Hudson’s throat. He marched around the bed, ready to throttle his cousin. Justin stumbled back, his hands outstretched in protest, but Hudson grabbed him by his fancy collar and dragged him to the door.

“Speak to my wife like that again, and you’ll be chewing on broken teeth.” Hudson opened the door and threw his cousin out. He ignored the man’s prattling and turned to Selina. “We will attend my father. Good day, Selina.”

Selina flung sharp daggers Claudia’s way. She snatched her pelisse from the chair and swept from the room.

Hudson closed the door and muttered a curse before turning to Dr Hewlett. “My wife is right. No man can work under such stressful conditions. Please, Dr Hewlett, I would be grateful if you would examine my father.”

Dr Hewlett nodded.

While the doctor retrieved various instruments from his leather case, Hudson drew Claudia to the opposite end of the room.

“What if this is all my fault?” he whispered, guilt evident as he brushed his hand through his mop of dark hair. “My father’s condition worsened a month ago. Perhaps Greystone’s return brought painful memories flooding back, caused some mysterious malaise.” A weary sigh breezed from his lips. “I should have remained in India. Heaven knows I wanted to.”

“Then why come home?” She touched his forearm, found that it wasn’t enough to ease her craving and so touched his upper arm in a soothing caress.

“It was always Greystone’s plan to seek retribution. The same was true for Drake. Sometimes the need for vengeance is too powerful to resist.” His brown eyes grew distant. “And the thought of being alone had little appeal.”

“What is it you seek, Hudson, vengeance or the truth?”

Hudson shrugged. “Maybe both. Maybe neither.” His weary sigh tore at her heart. “I want peace, peace to live my life without feeling the sharp stab of betrayal. I want the peace that comes with knowing who I can trust.”

She slid her hand up over his shoulder to cup his cheek. “Trust yourself. Love yourself. Forgive yourself. Don’t let your happiness be dependent on what others say or do.”

That was a sure road to misery and failure.

Moisture formed in his eyes as he stared at her. He captured her hand and kissed her tenderly on the palm. “Dariell was right.”

“Right about what?”

“You’re perfect—”

“Perfect?” she interjected, scared of what he might say. “Perfect to play the wife of a rogue? Perfect when it comes to challenging your opinion?”

He shook his head. “Just perfect.”

The air between them thrummed with energy. It was all Claudia could do not to kiss him.

A groan from the bed sent all amorous thoughts scattering.

“The effects of the laudanum are wearing off,” Dr Hewlett said. His comment drew Claudia and Hudson back to the bed. “I advise we wait before administering any medicine, and certainly anything contained in these bottles.” He gestured to the assortment on the side table.

“I spoke to the apothecary who dispensed them.” Hudson related the extent of his conversation with a man named Mr Wolfson.

“Do you think that’s the reason your father isn’t getting better?” Claudia said. What other reason could Terence have for requesting essence of peppermint instead of cough suppressant?

“We’ll know more once we wean the gentleman off laudanum.”

“Wean him off?” Hudson frowned. “But that can take days. And I’ve heard enough horror stories to enquire as to your meaning.”

Dr Hewlett arched a brow. “I’m not talking scalding baths and mustard plasters if that is your fear. I shall monitor him tonight and make a more definitive decision then.”