Selina tugged at the ribbon on her bonnet and removed the hat with care. “He started vomiting, lost his appetite and struggled to find the energy to move from his bed. At night, he often wakes in pain. Terence thinks it’s better to give him laudanum, as does Justin.”
“But you don’t agree,” he said.
“If it were my choice, I would hire every available doctor to determine the cause of these ailments.”
“How long has he been suffering?” Claudia asked, picking up an odd-looking green bottle and sniffing the contents.
Selina stared down her nose at Claudia. “He’s been confused and forgetful for a few years, but things took a downward turn about a month ago.” Selina looked at Lockhart. “Around the time your friend Lord Greystone returned to town.”
Lockhart frowned. Should he be suspicious of the coincidence, or more disturbed by the fact Selina had been monitoring Lord Greystone’s movements? Did she know of the house he’d leased in Russell Square?
“So you and Justin share the responsibility?” he sought to confirm.
“Yes, and occasionally Terence takes his turn when he’s not busy elsewhere.” There was a bitterness to her tone whenever she mentioned his brother.
“Why not hire a nurse?” Claudia said.
Selina snorted. “Because it’s an unnecessary household expense.”
Meaning his mother refused to have a stranger in the house or part with precious funds. Of course, all those people involved had an ulterior motive for wanting time alone with Alfred Lockhart. Perhaps the next step while waiting for the villain to make his move was to investigate Terence’s nightly habits.
Who supplied the medicine?
Why had his brother shunned his responsibilities?
Indeed, they had learnt enough for now, and the need to be away from this house proved overwhelming.
“We should leave you to your duties,” he said, placing his hand lightly on Miss Darling’s back. “We shall return with a doctor tomorrow.”
He observed Selina to judge her reaction. She inclined her head, but her expression remained sombre. “As you wish. Noon is best. Justin has an appointment with his tailor, and I shall be here alone.”
Was that a veiled warning about Justin?
Was that her way of offering the proverbial olive branch?
He gave a curt nod and guided Claudia towards the door.
Selina waited until they’d left the room before calling him back. “Hudson?”
Lockhart returned and lingered in the doorway. “Yes?”
A weary sigh left Selina’s lips. “I—I made a mistake that night on the docks. I should have gone with you to India.”
The words should have brought a sense of satisfaction, but they did not. “It’s too late for regrets, Selina.”
She took a step towards him, hope flashing in her sad eyes. “Perhaps there’s still time to salvage something from this mess.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Perhaps there’s still time for us.”
A fool would know what she meant.
Lockhart glanced back over his shoulder to see Miss Darling’s sweet smile as she waited patiently on the landing. The muscles deep in his core ached to have her. The muscle that was his heart pumped wildly in her presence, too. Even though this was all a game, he could not hurt her to satisfy his own needs for revenge. He would not make a fool out of his wife even if he was paying for the privilege.
“Forgive me,” he said, “but I’m in love with my wife.” A part of him almost believed it was true. “My loyalty will always be with her.”
And with that, he retreated and closed the door.
Chapter Twelve
Houses and shopfronts whipped past the carriage window. Costermongers crowded the pavements, selling their wares. The cries of irate coachmen, the constant clatter of horses’ hooves, shouts and jeers filled Claudia’s head, and yet Selina Lockhart’s parting words echoed through the din. I