Page 13 of An Arranged Marriage with a Mad Marquess (Marriage Mart Scandals #3)

Patrina paced up and down, glancing anxiously at the clock.

It felt like something out of a novel, sending a note to her own husband via her maid. Really, though, there seemed to be no other way to reach Neil, not without encountering either Clayton or Thomasin.

A full day had passed since their arrival, and the time had dragged after that fateful breakfast. It was clear that nobody else was particularly pleased at Thomasin and Clayton inviting themselves to stay, but neither would anyone say anything about it. Clayton stuck by Neil’s side like glue, and Thomasin similarly attached herself to Emma and Cynthia. Patrina found herself rather passed over.

Not that she minded. There was something which made her a little uneasy about the two of them.

You’re letting your imagination get the best of you, she told herself firmly. It’s only because they don’t like you. I daresay they’re just protective of Neil.

But she had to talk to Neil, and so she’d had Lucy deliver the note. It was a simple one: Meet me in the library at one o’ clock, I need to speak with you. Alone, please.

It was exactly five minutes past one, and Patrina’s chest tightened.

What if he doesn’t come?

She imagined Neil rolling his eyes, showing the note to Clayton, then chuckling as he crumpled it in his fist.

Patrina was in the middle of this miserable vision when the door opened with a creak, making her jump.

Neil stepped inside, glancing behind him, before closing the door and leaning against it with a sigh.

“I do apologise for my lateness,” he remarked, lifting his eyebrows. “My dear cousin never leaves my side whenever he visits. He took quite some shaking off.”

“It’s quite all right. I… I’m sorry to send you a message in that way, it’s just that I really did want to talk to you.”

Neil pushed off from where he leaned against the door, crossing the library towards her. He stood a little closer than Patrina was expecting, his fragrance sweet and spicy at once. She blinked, chest tightening for a reason she did not understand.

“It’s about them, isn’t it?” Neil said softly, looking down into her face. “My aunt and my cousin.”

She bit her lip, glancing away. “I hate to complain about your family. I know they’re just concerned about you, and…”

“Not about me,” Neil interrupted, flashing a brittle smile. “About the inheritance, I think. Any children we have would take my cousin out of the line of succession, as I mentioned earlier. It would affect my aunt too. Clayton always counselled me strongly against marriage. He claimed to be disinterested about the inheritance, but of course I don’t believe him.” He sighed, passing a hand over his hair. His pallor was a little brighter than it had been, which gave Patrina a twinge of hope that she doubtless had no right to feel worried.

“I don’t mean to accuse them of anything,” Neil said, after a pause. “I suppose with the title of Marquess and the estate involved, it would be hard not to think of anything else.”

Patrina nodded. “I understand. I don’t mean to complain, as I said, but I’m more sure than ever that they do not like me. Only this morning, your Aunt Thomasin trod on the hem of my gown deliberately. I know it was deliberate, and I simply can’t understand why she would do such a thing. She keeps me away from Emma and Cynthia, and Clayton keeps me away from you. I’ve been telling myself that it’s just my imagination, but I…”

“No, I don’t believe it is,” Neil interrupted. “No need to apologise, Patrina. I believe you. I know my aunt and cousin, and they can be a trifle jealous.”

Patrina glanced up at him, trying to read his expression. “I’m not suggesting you make them leave, you understand.”

“I know, I know. But I will speak to my mother, and to my Aunt Thomasin. Perhaps you and I can set aside time to spend together? If you’d like, of course.”

He added the last part a trifle hastily, glancing at her uncertainly. He’d suggested setting up appointments to spend time together just as lightly as if he were arranging a business meeting, and Patrina was not entirely sure how to react to that.

But he’d suggested it. He’d suggested that they spend time together, and for some reason, that sent a shiver down Patrina’s spine.

I do want to spend time with him, she thought, a little surprised. I enjoy his company. I like him.

That was generally a good sign – liking one’s husband – and yet it filled Patrina with dismay.

This is not a marriage of love. My husband is not even expected to be alive in two years’ time.

What good could falling in love possibly do me?

She cleared her throat, suddenly aware that Neil was looking at her, waiting for a response.

“I’d like that,” she said, as honestly as she could. “I don’t… don’t enjoy being separated from you.”

Neil flinched at this, eyes widening. “Truly? I rather thought my presence was irksome to you.”

She gave a short laugh. “Irksome? No, not at all. You are clever, and kind, and I enjoy your company very much. Very much indeed.”

He blinked down at her, eyes wide.

Has anybody ever told him this before?

“Patrina,” Neil began, a little hesitantly, “I ought to tell you…”

But there was never any chance for him to tell her what he meant to, because at that moment footsteps echoed in the hallway outside. They only had a brief moment to jump away from each other before the door banged open, and Clayton strode in.

“There you are, cousin!” he greeted, smiling cheerfully at them both. The cheerfulness did not quite reach his eyes. “I was looking for you everywhere. And good day to you, cousin-in-law. You were awfully quiet at breakfast. Is everything quite all right?”

“Not to worry, Clayton,” Neil said firmly. “Everything is fine.”

Clayton pursed his lips, glancing suspiciously between Neil and Patrina. “Are you sure? You went hurrying out of the billiards room as soon as you got that note. You barely finished your tea. Something is wrong, I know it. Come, cousin, won’t you let me share the burden?”

Neil opened his mouth, then froze, a confused expression coming across his face. Patrina blinked up at him, and saw the confusion turn to horror.

And then, just like that, Neil crumpled to the ground like a piece of damp paper.

She couldn’t help it. She gave a shriek of alarm. Neil hit the ground with a thud , lying crumpled on the floor. His body moved wildly, limbs twitching uncontrollably. She knelt beside him, turning him onto his side.

In two strides, Clayton had crossed the room, and began tugging on the bell pull to summon the servants. Then he knelt beside Patrina, pushing her none-too-subtly aside.

“Let me do this,” he said brusquely, not looking at her. “My cousin needs help now, not well-meaning fumblings. No offence, cousin-in-law. We have more experience with his condition.”

Before Patrina could think up a reply, the door flew open. Emma came running in, followed by Cynthia, the butler, and, of course, Thomasin.

Thomasin gave a theatrical scream and sank down onto a nearby chair.

“He’s dead!” she gasped. “He’s dead !”

Clayton threw his mother an annoyed glance. “Of course he is not dead, Mother. Please, let us stay calm.”

Thomasin looked as though she felt rather silly. Patrina found herself pushed out of the way, backing off to let others gather around Neil’s prone form on the ground. He was still moving wildly, eyes rolling back in his head.

“We should fetch Harry,” she heard herself say. Her comment was mostly ignored, except for Thomasin, who threw her a disdainful glance.

“The steward?” she responded. “I’m not sure why he should be involved in this.”

Patrina flushed. “He’s your cousin, I thought.”

Thomasin sniffed. Her earlier theatrics had disappeared entirely, it seemed. “Not exactly. I’m sure he’s very busy, so we shall leave him out of this, I think.”

“What could have brought this on?” Clayton muttered, shaking his head. “Someone must send for the physician at once, I think. Has Neil not been taking his medicine?”

Emma and Cynthia shot quick glances at each other. Not quickly enough, however, as Clayton saw.

“Aunt? Cousin?” he pressed, eyeing them both sternly.

Cynthia cracked first. “He wanted to stop the drops,” she mumbled, not looking anyone in the eye, “and Mr. Blackburn prescribed a herbal remedy. I don’t believe he’s been drinking it.”

Clayton heaved a sigh. “My poor, stubborn cousin. Who could have encouraged him to do something so foolhardy?”

Again, there was a brief silence. Emma glanced over at Patrina, just for an instant, but said nothing. Patrina found herself feeling relieved.

She had encouraged Neil to explore other treatment options. Could his latest fit really be due to not taking his medicine? Had she encouraged him to do something damaging to his health? Guilt stabbed at her chest.

She backed away further, coming up with her back against a bookshelf. Her heart was pounding. She felt ill.

As if he sensed her uneasiness, Clayton glanced her way. His eyes narrowed, just for a moment, and then he began to head towards her. Her heart sank.

“I don’t mean to pry, Patrina,” he muttered, lowering his voice so that only she could hear, “but I must know what you and my cousin were discussing before this attack came.”

She flinched. “I beg your pardon?”

“As I said, I don’t mean to pry.”

“Well, you are prying. I can’t see how it’s relevant.”

He chuckled wryly, tilting his head. “Really? Well, he often has fits when he is upset or distressed. Whatever you were discussing, it upset him enough to cause this.”

Patrina flushed. “Are you saying that this is my fault?”

Yes, was the unspoken answer, coming across plain and clear.

“Of course not,” Clayton responded smoothly. The smile on his face had not budged an inch. “I’m just concerned about my cousin, as I’m sure you can understand. Wanting to marry is an entirely natural feeling, of course, but frankly I’m not sure he is cut out for it. His health, you know. Still, what’s done is done, and you are of course part of the family now.”

Am I? Am I really?

“What was going on? Why was he in the library at this time of day?” Emma asked, voice cutting above the anxious murmurs and chaos. Cynthia had placed a pillow under her brother’s head, and the butler had draped a blanket over him. The physician had been summoned, and would apparently be there in half an hour at the most.

“He and Patrina were having a private conference here,” Clayton said, not looking at Patrina at all. “I believe she sent him a note – he and I were playing billiards at the time, drinking tea and having a little conversation – and he hurried off in a frightful state. I was a little worried about him, to be frank. I came to find him, and they looked… well, they looked rather serious, the two of them. And then poor Neil just collapsed.”

Patrina bit the inside of her cheek. Clayton had just stated the facts, but he really did make it sound as if it were all her fault. As if she had triggered the fit, somehow.

Perhaps I did. I don’t understand his condition. Perhaps this is my fault.

Emma glanced briefly at Patrina, lips pursed.

“What on earth was so important?” Thomasin demanded, voice high and shrill. “Why summon him away like that, Patrina? Did you give him some shocking news?”

“No, nothing like that,” she heard herself say, although her voice was weak and unconvincing. Emma still said nothing. Blame simmered in her eyes.

“Everybody out, I think,” Clayton said, clapping his hands. “Let’s give him some air, shall we? Patrina, would you mind stepping out too?”

“Yes, of course,” Patrina muttered, as if there was anything else she could have said.

The door was closed firmly behind her, and then she realized that she was the only one who had been ushered outside.