Dr. Gold sighed. "It's all nonsense. Social standing, appearance, yet they ignore simple Christian charity." He fixed his friend with a long stare. "But just keep in mind that there's a huge difference between rape and murder. Or between vandalism and theft, and poisoning."
"I know."
"It's very worthy of you to take such an interest,"' John said, patting him on the shoulder. "We do seem to be plagued with more than our fair share of crimes in this small quiet area of the world, do we not. If we include the highwaymen on the London Road, we are indeed a most lawless place."
Clifford's expression grew thoughtful. "But the crimes have all happened over extended periods of time, and have seemed for the most part to be unrelated except to each other. What if they were related?"
Dr. Gold pondered this for several moments in silence. "Then I would say it is possible, except that Gerald would be awfully busy. And I would have thought that some time in the last few years he would have made some sort of error."
"The Bransons will check the records again carefully. He might well have and they did not appreciate it at the time."
"Well, only time will tell at this point."
"Yes, but until then, I think it's best to assume the worst."
The doctor gave a tight smile. "If I were you, I would worry about how you are going to convince her to marry you without telling her the real reasons. That you believe her life is in peril, that Gerald is a dangerous man."
"I'm not without my charms and personal attributes, John," Clifford said with a slight lift of his chin. "Don't sound so skeptical. She might actually want to marry me for myself, you know."
"Let's hope so."
"I shall do more than hope," he said, flashing his friend a bright grin which lit up his whole handsome face. "I shall do my best to win the lady's hand!" With a mocking flourish, he bowed and left.
Clifford went upstairs to read to Vanessa, and found her in a pensive mood.
"Are you all right? You seem awfully quiet."
"I hate being ill. Being forced to rest. It reminds me of when I was a girl and--" She clamped her mouth shut.
"And?" he prompted softly.
She shrugged. "Father telling me I needed to rest. That I would only get better if I did."
"Get better? Were you sickly?"
She blushed. "No, never, apart from the brain fever."
Clifford digested this information in silence. She looked so uncomfortable that he decided not to pursue the subject any further. He settled himself in the chair by her side, and read aloud her favorite poetry as she requested, until at last her lids began to droop.
Malcolm and his sister returned a short time later with some night rails, her robe, and brushes and underclothes from Hawkesworth House, and offered to take a turn sitting with her.
Clifford went to lie down in the chamber the doctor had assigned to him, but all he could do was toss and turn, thinking of the pain-filled amethyst eyes of the woman who had suddenly begun to mean the world to him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
At two o'clock in the morning, after tossing and turning as if sleeping on a bed of gravel instead of softest goosedown, Clifford could bear it no more and went in to see Vanessa. He relieved the Bransons and Emma was called to sit with him. Clifford spent all of his time staring at the sick woman's pale features.
Emma said quietly, "I'm so glad she's the one. If I couldn't have you myself, I'm delighted that none of our frivolous acquaintance, and particularly not the loathsome Widow Pearson, got their claws into you."
Clifford started and blushed. "Emma--"
"No, really, Clifford, you don't have to say a word. I didn't mean to embarrass you. You have always been so forthright and candid, I felt I should be the same. I really do wish the both of you a world of happiness. If she asks about your character, I shall say nothing less than the truth. That you're the best man I have ever met, though Henry and Malcolm are certainly very close to perfect themselves."
"I'm far from perfect. But I like to think I at least try to do better every day."
"Like the characters in Pilgrim's Progress. It always was one of your favorite books."
"I only hope I've learned all the lessons Christian does in the book."
"If you haven't already, you shall. I doubt you have so many to learn. You were born wise."
He laughed shortly. "Well, it was certainly a piece of folly to have gambled for a wife."
"No it wasn't," she said in a firm tone. "Not when you were trying to protect her good name. Besides, it was fate. The cards fell to you. You won her fairly. You're meant to be together, I just know it. What woman wouldn't love a man as dashing and devoted as you?"