Page 44 of The Love Potion
“Where is your lock box? Your important papers?”
“What?”
“I’m taking you to my home, and I don’t trust your butler as far as I can throw him. Tell me what you need to have with you because, by God, you are not staying here.”
Nate blinked open one eye. “I don’t need—”
“The hell you don’t.”
“I’ll not be another Broderick.”
Ras growled in frustration and fear. Nate had long since proven he wasn’t a leeching sycophant. “You’re a bloody idiot!” he fumed, startled when he realized his curse was literally true. “Now let me make sure you don’t die. If you must pay me back, you can scrub my floors afterwards.”
“You scrub your floors,” his friends muttered. “I need a nap.”
He needed a doctor, clean sheets, and good food. And someone who took care of matters rather than argue with Nate’s pride. So Ras didn’t say more. He just took charge.
Looking down at Nate’s feet, he decided that there wasn’t a prayer in hell that Nate could get shoes on. Which meant he’d have to hobble barefoot down to the carriage. Or be carried, which would not go over well. But at least he could have on thick socks so that there wouldn’t be any more damage.
He was just looking about the room when Tillman showed up. “Your Grace?” he said as he bowed.
“Find a pair of socks and put them on him. We’re carrying him to the carriage.”
The man didn’t so much as blink. He nodded then began the search. The same could not be said of Nate who moaned as he pushed himself up onto his elbows.
“Have done, Ras. You’re a good friend. A stand-up duke and all that, but I’m too tired to fight you. I’ll be fine.”
“Of course, you will be.” Because he’d be at Ras’s residence.
The water in the basin was now dark red, and the cloth would never be clean again. He carried the things out into the hall where Hopfer stood watching with undisguised curiosity.
“Excellent,” he said as he shoved the basin at the man. Hopfer had to take it or let it drop on his feet. “Be aware that I will send my secretary and housekeeper to clean these rooms.” His secretary would sort through whatever papers Nate had lying about and collect what was important. His housekeeper would see everything cleaned properly, and then the two would put a new lock on the door. If nothing else, it would keep what was left from being ransacked.
Predictably, Hopfer cut up stiff. “This house has no thieves. I run a proper household, but I cannot account for how the gentlemen spend their time.”
Ras didn’t bother answering. He’d known Nate since they were young boys at Eton. The man was casual about his papers, but he was neater than this. Or he had been when they were at school. Ras was startled to realize that he had no idea how Nate usually lived now because they’d always met elsewhere. This was the first time he’d been in the man’s rooms since school.
Ignoring that unsettling realization, Ras sat down on the edge of the bed and regarded his friend. Though Nate was sitting upright, he looked pale and sweaty, which was not a good sign.
“Do you need a bucket?”
“No.” The word came out as a bare whisper.
“I’m going to help you up. Tillman will be on the other side. Then the three of us are going downstairs to the carriage.”
“God, Ras. Leave me alone.” There should have been a bite to the words, but Nate was in too much pain to put force into his voice.
“I’m sorry,” he said gently. “I can’t.”
Nate let his head drop. “Just leave me alone.” There was a plaintive note in his voice, so different than his usual irrepressible humor. It suggested more than physical pain. There was despair.
Ras squatted down until he was eye to swollen eye with his friend. “What. Happened?”
The man wasn’t going to answer. He set his jaw and looked away, but Ras wasn’t going to let him hide so easily. He gestured Tillman to take Nate’s things down to the carriage and he glared at Hopfer until the nosy butler shut the door. That left Ras and miserable Nate in the room.
“Tell me,” Ras ordered.
Nate sighed. “Becky’s here.”
