'You're hoping for a miracle,' Sir Winters replied. 'Nothing can be done to make the leg fit again, Princess.' His voice was filled with kindness.
'Yes,' she whispered. 'I was hoping for a miracle, I suppose. Still, your suggestions will prove helpful. If you think of anything more to add, will you pen me a note? I could use all the advice you can give.'
Sir Winters took the last biscuit from the tray. His mind was fully occupied with Colin's condition and he didn't realize he'd eaten all of the treats. Alesandra filled his cup with more tea.
'Are all husbands stubborn?' she asked the physician.
Sir Winters smiled. 'It seems to be a trait most husbands share.'
He told her several amusing stories concerning titled men who refused to acknowledge they were in need of a physician. His favorite was the tale about the Marquess of Ackerman. The gentleman had been involved in a duel. He'd been shot in the shoulder and wouldn't allow anyone to see to the injury. Winters had been called by his brother to tend to the man.
'We found him at White's at one of the gaming tables,' he told her. 'It took three of his friends to drag him away. When we got his jacket off, why, there was blood everywhere.'
'Did the marquess recover?'
Winters nodded. 'He was too stubborn to die,' he remarked. 'Kept referring to the injury as a paltry nick until he passed out. I advised his wife to tie him to the bed until he recovered.'
Alesandra smiled over that picture. 'Colin's every bit as stubborn,' she announced. She let out a sigh. 'I would appreciate it if you would keep this conference secret, please. As I said before, Colin is quite sensitive about his leg.'
Sir Winters placed his teacup and saucer back on the tray, picked up his satchel, and stood up to take his leave. 'You needn't worry, Princess. I won't say a word about this visitation. You'd be surprised if you knew how many wives seek my advice concerning their husbands' welfare.'
The door to the salon opened just as the physician was reaching for the handle. Colin moved out of the way to allow Winters room. He gave the physician a quick nod in greeting and turned to his wife. 'Flannaghan said you were ill.' He didn't give her time to answer but turned to Winters. 'What's wrong with her?'
Alesandra didn't want the physician to lie for her. 'I had a tickle in my throat, but it's better now. Sir Winters suggested hot tea,' she added with a nod. 'Yes, I did,' Winters agreed.
Something wasn't quite right, but Colin couldn't put his finger on what was wrong. Alesandra couldn't look him in the eye. He knew her well enough to know she wasn't telling him the truth. She didn't look ill. Her cheeks were high with color, indicating she was embarrassed about something. He decided then he would have to wait until they were alone to find out what was really wrong.
Alesandra stood by Colin's side while he visited with the physician. She happened to glance over her shoulder and found Flannaghan standing just a few feet away. The butler was giving her a sympathetic expression.
She already felt guilty because she'd lied to her husband and Flannaghan's expression made her feel worse.
Her motives were pure, she immediately told herself. She let out a little sigh then. She'd used that very excuse when she'd made the second set of books for the mother superior. A sin is still a sin, or so the nun had proclaimed when she'd found out about the little deception. Large or little, it didn't matter. God, the mother superior assured her with great authority in her voice, kept an accurate list of each and every sin committed by every man and woman on this earth. Alesandra's list, the nun speculated, was probably long enough to reach the bottom of the ocean.
Alesandra didn't believe she'd sinned that much or that often. She imagined her list was about the length of her shadow by now. She wondered if her Maker had two columns on his sheet of paper for her-one for small infractions and the other for more substantial offenses.
She was pulled back to the present rather abruptly when Sir Winters said, 'I was sorry to hear about the loss of the
'You've lost a diamond?' Alesandra asked, trying to understand.
Colin shook his head. 'It's a ship, Alesandra. She went down with a full cargo. Winters, how did you hear about it so soon? I only just found out yesterday.'
'A friend of mine had some business dealings at Lloyd's today. One of their agents mentioned it. They insured the loss, didn't they?'
'Yes.'
'Is it true it was the second vessel this year you and Nathan have lost?'
Colin nodded.
'Why didn't you tell me?' Alesandra asked.
She tried to keep the hurt out of her voice. It was a difficult task.
'I didn't want you to worry,' Colin explained.
She didn't believe he'd given her the full reason. Yes, it was probably true that he didn't want to worry her, but more important, he didn't want to share his burdens with her. She tried not to be offended. Colin had kept his own counsel for a long while and it surely wasn't easy for him to take anyone into his confidence, not even his wife.
She was going to have to be patient, she decided. Colin would have to get used to having her around before he felt comfortable enough to confide in her.
Her husband was still talking to the physician when she excused herself and went upstairs. She went to her room and started her list of suggestions Winters had given her to help ease the pain in Colin's leg, but her mind wasn't on the task.
He should have told her about the ship, damn it. If he was worried, she had every right to be worried too. Husbands and wives were supposed to share their problems, weren't they?
Flannaghan came to fetch her for dinner. On the way downstairs, she asked him for another favor.
'Have you heard about the Viscount of Talbolt's troubles?'
'Oh, yes,' Flannaghan replied. 'Everyone's talking about it. Lady Roberta left her husband.'
'Colin has forbidden me to talk to the viscount and I must go along with his wishes. My husband believes I'll upset the man.'
'Why do you want to talk to him?'
'I believe there might be a connection between his wife's sudden disappearance and that of my friend, Lady Victoria. She disappeared, too, Flannaghan. I was wondering if you would mind talking to his servants for me. I want to find out if Lady Roberta received any little presents from an unknown admirer, you see.'
'What kinds of gifts, Princess?'
She shrugged. 'Flowers-perhaps chocolates,' she said. 'Wouldn't the maids notice such gifts?'
Flannaghan nodded. 'Yes, of course they'd notice. They would talk amongst themselves, too. They won't talk to me, though. Now Cook could learn a thing or two when she goes to market tomorrow. Shall I put the request to her?'
'Yes, please,' Alesandra replied.
'What are you two whispering about?'
Colin asked that question from the entrance to the dining room. He smiled over the startle he gave his wife. She jumped a good foot. 'You seem a bit nervous tonight,' he remarked.
She didn't have a quick answer for that remark. She followed Flannaghan into the dining room. Colin held her chair out for her and then took his place at the head of the table, adjacent to her.
'Am I going to have to stay locked inside for a full month?' she asked.
'Yes.'
He was occupied sorting through a stack of correspondence and didn't bother to glance her way when he answered her.
The man couldn't even take time away from his work to eat a proper meal. She wondered if he had digestive problems and almost asked him that personal question. She changed her mind and turned the topic to a more pressing matter.
'What about Catherine's first ball? It's only a week away, Colin. I don't want to miss it.'
'I'll tell you all about it.'
'You'd go without me?'
