“Yes, but I would have thought—it’s just—you’re not going to tell her good-bye?”
“I just did.”
“With a note.”
“And some very nice diamonds. Believe me, she’ll appreciate those far more than a few words from me.” He gave Graeme a half smile. “Don’t worry about bruising Ellie Hobart’s heart, coz. She doesn’t have one. That’s why I choose not to indulge in romantic encounters. There’s no emotion involved, only cash. No fuss and no tears.”
“No affection.”
James shrugged. “I don’t keep a mistress for affection. Come. Sit down. Would you care for a drink? Whiskey?” Graeme agreed, taking a seat in one of the armchairs before the fireplace as James crossed to the decanters. “What are you doing in London? I would have thought you couldn’t tear yourself away from domestic bliss.”
“It wasn’t easy.” Graeme took the glass James held out to him, his concerned gaze on James’s face. “I had to come to the city for business. I already miss Abby and Anna like the devil.”
“Of course.” James knew Graeme was speaking only the truth, astonishing as it was to James that anyone would prefer to live with a squalling infant.
“You should see her, James.” Graeme’s eyes lit up. “A full head of hair, jet black, just like Abby’s. She looks like her.”
James had seen the baby in question and as he remembered, she had not looked like much of anyone, only a tiny red wailing thing with a madly wobbling chin. He did recall, however, a burst of black hair spiking out all over her head like the raised hackles of a dog.
“It’s been only three months since you’ve seen her, but you cannot imagine how much she’s grown.” Graeme went on to enthusiastically detail the many changes.
Fortunately, Graeme did not require much response from his listener, for James heard only half of what he said through the pain that gripped him. The headaches came more and more frequently now, until at times he wanted to bash his head against the wall in search of blissful unconsciousness.
Graeme, watching him, stopped his flow of words. “James. What’s the matter? You look terrible.”
“Why, thank you, cousin. I am glad to know you don’t feel the need to flatter me.”
“You know what I mean. You look as if you haven’t slept in a week.”
“I probably haven’t.” He gave Graeme a thin smile. “I’ve had a little trouble sleeping lately.”
“I’d wager it’s more than that. You’ve lost weight as well. Are you ill? What is it?”
“Apparently, the doctors can’t agree on that. I’ve discovered recently the true depth of medical ignorance.”
Graeme frowned. “How many doctors have you seen? How long has this been going on? Does Aunt Tessa know about it?”
“God, Graeme, what in the world do you think my mother could do?”
“Point taken. But, really, James, you can’t just sit here and suffer.”
“Sadly, I have discovered that I can.”
“You should go see Dr. Hinsdale.”
“Who? You mean your Miss Hinsdale’s father?”
“She’s not my Miss Hinsdale. But yes. His family views him as a bit of a disgrace since he chose to actually do something useful with his life, but he’s one of the brightest men I know. Always up on the latest thing.”
“Thank you, but I suspect I’d be lucky to survive passing through his door, if the lovely Laura is there.”
“Don’t be absurd. Laura may, um . . .”
“Despise me?”
“Don’t be daft. Laura isn’t the sort to hold grudges. She knew you were only speaking the truth.”
“Mm. But truth is not something many people relish hearing.”
“Trust me. However she may feel about you, she would never turn you away. She is much too fair, not to mention kind.”
“Doesn’t your wife object to your blatant admiration for Miss Hinsdale?”
“Abby is much too fair, as well.”
James had to chuckle, despite the pounding in his head. “All your women are paragons.”
Graeme grinned. “Yes, I know. I’m a lucky man. But Laura is not mine. And Abby knows that I feel about Laura as one would about a sister.”
“Of course . . . if one had wanted to marry one’s sister.”
“That was eleven years ago. I was too green to understand what I felt. What I’m saying is, Abby knows I love only her. And stop trying to get me off the subject. We’re talking about you seeing Dr. Hinsdale.”
“Must we?”
“Yes. If anyone can find what’s wrong with you and fix it, Dr. Hinsdale can.”