Page 72 of A Promising Little Scandal (Sensual Scandals)

“Very well, my lord.” The servant clasped his hands together before him. “I fear his condition is not very good. The servants have been taking turns attending to him since the episode. I called Dr. Evans and—”

Sebastian waved a hand. “That man is a quack. I’m surprised my grandfather is still alive if he’s been here. I don’t want him coming around again.”

“But, my lord, Dr. Evans is Lord Abersheen’s trusted personal physician—”

“I will be engaging the services of Dr. Thierry Haimlin,” he returned firmly. “He is progressive in his treatments and doesn’t use archaic methods like leeching or blood-letting.”

The butler inclined his head respectfully and walked away to give them some privacy. Sebastian cupped her cheek in his palm. “I’m glad you’re here,” he whispered.

“Me too,” she returned softly.

He glanced up the stairs. “I should go see him.”

“I’ll wait in the parlor.” She knew he needed some time alone to talk to the marquess and clear the air between them.

He nodded wearily, the fine lines around his eyes were more pronounced than usual. “I’ll make sure a tea tray and some sandwiches are sent in for you.”

She nodded, and with a quick kiss, he departed.

When Calliope was left alone, she walked into the parlor and sank down on the settee. She leaned her head back against the cushions and closed her eyes. She ought to send word to Isadora that she was back in London, as well as the reason for her being there, but she was too weary at the moment to do much of anything.

She stretched the kinks out of her back and considered taking a brief repose when she glanced toward the mantel—and froze. The portrait of Elizabeth and Thomas with their young son had been taken down and replaced with a painting depicting a fox hunt.

She blinked, because she couldn’t imagine that the marquess might have actually taken any of her advice to heart and might be attempting to lay the past to rest.

But for Sebastian’s sake, she prayed that was true.

Sebastian paused at the door to his grandfather’s chamber. He grabbed hold of the doorframe and released a heavy breath. He was tired and upset, because for all the marquess’s rough edges and blustery demeanor, he was still family, as Calliope had kept pointing out, and he had been there for him as an orphaned child dealing with a title and scandal that he’d no control over. Sebastian knew then that he would never forgive himself if the reason his grandfather had this unfortunate spell was because of their falling out. Granted, he wasn’t a young man anymore, and Sebastian knew he likely didn’t have too many years left, but he wasn’t prepared to lose him. Not just yet.

After he’d composed himself, Sebastian strode inside the chamber.

Other than a single lamp that was burning by the bed, that was the only light in the room. There was movement in a chair by the bed and a footman got to his feet. He bowed respectfully. “My lord.”

He inclined his head. “I’d like a moment alone with my grandfather, if you don’t mind.”

“Certainly.” The footman hastily took his leave, and Sebastian was left with the marquess.

Sebastian took the seat that the servant had vacated, and for a moment, he thought that his grandfather was asleep. Nevertheless, he was humbled by how pale he appeared against the dim glow. For the first time in his life, his grandfather actually looked frail.

“What are you doing here?” An eye cracked open.

Sebastian’s lips twitched at the surly command. It was just like his grandfather to offer such a stern greeting. However, it was the weak undertone, combined with his outward appearance, that sobered him. “I received word that you were trying to bedevil me from the beyond, so I wanted to come by to ensure that didn’t happen.”

The marquess grunted. “No doubt you would rejoice in my demise, just like my worthless heir.”

Sebastian shook his head. “On the brink of death and yet, you are still as sour as a lemon.”

“I have good reason,” he snapped. “I hope I lived long enough so that I could tell you that I didn’t take too kindly to your ultimatum. We are blood. You can’t just brush me under the rug as if I didn’t exist!” If he would have had access to his cane, Sebastian knew he would have slammed it down on the ground.

In turn, he lifted a brow. “Can you truly blame me for being upset? You pulled a nasty trick at Vauxhall. I’m fortunate that Calliope found it in her heart to believe me.”

Another grunt. “I suppose you’re going to marry the gel even with all my warnings to the contrary.”

He nodded. “As soon as I can convince her to do so, yes.” He watched his grandfather carefully. “She told me why you didn’t like the duke.”

Those sharp eyes fixated on him.

He sighed heavily. “You can’t tell me you harbor ill will toward her because my mother fancied herself in love with Marlington.”

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