Jade Star - Catherine Coulter [118]
He realized, sighing more deeply, that he hadn’t even seen her naked. Her modesty dictated that the room be utterly dark. How could she love him, he wondered, and not want to see him or enjoy him physically?
He forced his attention back to his medical book. Surprisingly enough, it had been his father-in-law who, only three days after his stroke, had presented Thomas with the needed medical books, mumbling that if Thomas wanted to be a damned sawbones, he might as well get started, since Bunker fancied he’d need him.
“Not exactly yet, boy,” Bunker said. “Maybe later, when I really get ill.”
“Mr. Thomas.”
Thomas started at the sound of Ezra’s deep voice coming from the library doorway. The man walked as softly as a prowling cat, he thought. “Yes,” he said, but moved a bit in his chair, uncomfortable with a bloody butler.
“It’s your sister, sir, Mrs. Morris.”
Thomas rose quickly, undefined fears churning in him. “For God’s sake, man, show her in!” Was Saint blind permanently? No, that couldn’t be it. He’d spoken to Dr. Pickett and knew that Saint was healing.
When he saw her pale face, he rushed to her, every positive thought plummeting to his toes.
“What’s wrong, Jules? It isn’t Saint, is it?”
She shook her head. “No, he is resting at home,” she said. “He must rest, you know, Thomas.”
Thomas cocked his head at her. “Then you’ve come to see how your newly married brother is faring?”
“Not really,” she said. “Here, Thomas, read this.”
She thrust the paper into his hands. Frowning, Thomas unfolded the paper and read.
“That damnable bastard!” he said, his face darkening with fear and sharp anger. “Jules, when did you get this? Was it Wilkes himself?”
“No, a boy delivered it to me about an hour ago. I couldn’t worry Michael with it. All he could do is rant and rave and worry, and I can’t allow that. Thomas, why is Wilkes doing this? What am I going to do?”
Thomas was silent for a long moment. “Have you shown this to Thackery?”
“Not yet. I wanted to speak to you first, but Thackery suspects something is wrong. And no, I didn’t come here alone, Thackery is outside.”
“Wilkes is insane, he has to be to keep after you like this.”
“Thomas, I’m afraid.”
“Come, love, and sit down. Let me think about this. Would you like a cup of tea?”
She agreed, not really caring.
Ezra brought in a silver tray some while later, his disappointment evident when Thomas dismissed him.
“How is Bunker?” she asked as she stirred a bit of milk into her tea.
“Much better,” Thomas said absently, then smiled. “In fact, he’s a terror. He’ll be back to his old self in no time, I think. Saint was right about his constitution. I begin to believe he’ll outlive us all.”
“And Penelope?”
“She is fine,” he said abruptly.
Jules frowned a bit at this most unloverlike reply, but didn’t dwell on it. She was too frightened.
“You were right not to tell Saint about this,” Thomas said.
“Yes, I know, but I also realize that if he ever finds out, he’ll be furious with me. He’s so proud, you know, but—”
“Yes, but,” Thomas said, interrupting her. “Thackery is your only protection. It is not enough, not with Saint helpless as a baby.”
“Michael smashed my derringer,” Jules said, wishing now that she’d bought a dozen of the deadly small guns. She saw the look of bewildered astonishment on her brother’s face, and added quickly, “No, I refuse to explain. It doesn’t matter now in any case.” To her relief, Thomas let it pass. She watched him rise and begin to pace the library. He came to an abrupt halt, whirled to face her, a wide grin on his face.
“Here’s what we’re going to do, little sister. My new wife and I will move into your house until Wilkes is out of your life once and for all.”
Jules’s mouth dropped open. She waved a helpless hand at the opulent room. “Thomas, you can’t take Penelope away from this! Our house is small, and the spare bedroom would seem to her like a servant’s room!”
“She is my wife,” Thomas said in a very stern voice, “and she will do as I bid her.”
“But your father-in-law