Page 19 of The Marriage Debt
Katherine wrestled with hurt and anger.They are only things,she reasoned miserably.You do not need them to remember the people who left them to you.
‘Scruples… about borrowing…friends not stealing…sister,’ Theo rasped, opening his eyes and Katherine wondered at how good that flash of anger on her behalf felt. ‘Tickets?’
‘He left them in the study, I think.’
‘Redeem them. Will pay.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Arthur agreed.
The exchange appeared to have exhausted Theo. He fell back against the squabs, eyes closed again and Katherine watched him anxiously until they drew up in Clifford Street.
Between them John and Arthur got Theo out of the coach and up the steps to where Jenny was waiting. ‘Jenny, run and set water to heat. When John has helped Mr Lydgate up to Mr Philip’s room he can carry the bath tub for you.’
She and Jenny waited anxiously outside the bedroom until first Arthur came out grinning, followed by John with a bundle of clothes held at arm’s length. ‘These need burning, Miss Katherine. Mr Lydgate says, begging your pardon, that he isn’t a bl…er perishing child and can wash himself without assistance. And do we have a back-brush?’
Katherine smiled. At least if Theo was capable of throwing out his would-be helpers he was not at death’s door. ‘Fetch my back-brush please, Jenny. John, what are we going to do about a nightshirt? Philip’s will never fit, Theo is far too broad in the shoulder.’
‘I’ll get one of mine.’ John turned to go downstairs, then looked back. ‘Mind, I don’t think he has any intention of going tobed.’
‘As we’ve removed all his clothes, he had better,’ Katherine said. ‘Especially as I intend to go in and bandage his neck and wrists.’ She took the nightshirt when John returned with it and thrust both it and the back-brush into Arthur’s hands. ‘In you go, and make it quite clear he is to get into bed.’
Arthur grimaced, knocked and went into the bedchamber. No sound reached the listeners on the landing until Arthur appeared looking more than a little damp.
‘What on earth have you been doing?’ Katherine demanded.
‘He threw the sponge at my head when I refused to bring him any clothes. I suppose it could have been the back-brush.’
‘Has he gone to bed?’
‘Yes, but only when I told him that if he did not, you would come in with your salves and bandages anyway.’
With some apprehension she tapped on the door and entered. The tub stood surrounded by sodden towels and Theo was sitting up in bed wearing the nightshirt and looking pale and decidedly mutinous.
‘John…clothes,’ he croaked.
‘Not until tomorrow,’ Katherine responded calmly, setting the tray down beside the bed. ‘You need sleep and quiet and rest. Tomorrow I will see. If you are not better I will call Dr Wilkes. If you are better then you may get up.’
‘Managing woman.’ He broke off to cough.
‘I have had to learn to be. Now, if you will just sit forward and let me fold your collar down–’ She broke off at the sight of the ridged and purple flesh and swallowed. ‘Is your neck very sore?’
Theo nodded and winced. ‘Inside…out.’
‘Then try not to talk. This may sting a little.’ She smoothed the salve over the torn skin with as gentle a touch as possible, resolutely ignoring the indrawn breath that hissed through his teeth. ‘There, I will just put a soft bandage round to keep it incontact with your skin. Now, let me see your wrists.’
Obediently he held them out, then as she reached for them, caught her hands in his. ‘Tell…what happened.’
‘When you have rested.’ She looked down at their joined hands and told herself that it would be undignified to start struggling. ‘Let me go please, Theo.’ His pulse was strong where her thumb rested against his wrist and his hands were warm.
Slowly he freed her and she reached for the salve and bandages. ‘These are much better than they were a few days ago. Did you manage to keep the bandages on under your manacles?’
Theo nodded as she tied the last knot, then recaptured her hands. ‘Tell…now, Kat. Why…not dead?’
Katherine met his eyes and read in them a will which was stronger than anything she could summon up. If she did not tell him now he was quite capable of getting up and finding John or Jenny to ask.
‘If you promise me you will stay in bed until tomorrow if I do?’ He nodded. ‘I went to Hemel Hempstead, found the magistrate who had you arrested – Mr Highson, who was with us today – and convinced him he had mistaken his man. Once he realised the truth he determined to have you released as soon as possible. We were travelling back yesterday and the wheel came off. Poor Mr Highson was knocked unconscious and put his shoulder out of its socket and Jenny was badly shaken.’
‘You?’ Theo reached up and touched the bruise on her forehead. ‘Headache… where else you hurt?’
