Beauty for Ashes. Dorothy Clark

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СКАЧАТЬ yanked her hand out of her muff and grabbed for the hold strap as the carriage bounced over a deep rut in the road. “It’s only that, for all your age and experience, you are still a man.”

      “And what does that mean?”

      He sounded a little huffy. She smiled. The judge did not take kindly to truth he perceived as criticism. “It means you are sweet…and protective…and, sometimes, manipulated by cunning women with pretty faces.” She put a teasing note in her voice. “I should know.”

      “That is different!”

      Now he sounded defensive. “It may be.” Laina made her tone placating.

      The judge crossed his arms and leaned back against the seat. “She refused the money.”

      He obviously thought that was a strong point in the woman’s favor. Laina sighed and leaned down to tuck the lap robe more closely about her boots. “That was quite clever of her. What better way to get into Justin’s good graces? Any fool would know the generous settlement he offered is but a small portion of his wealth. And if she can make him trust her…” Laina straightened up and tucked her hands back into her muff. “Well—we both know what can happen.” There was bitterness, fear and undeniable logic in her words.

      The judge sighed heavily. “We must pray, Laina. We must continue to pray for Justin.”

      She shot a look his direction, then turned and stared straight ahead. “You pray if you wish, Judge, but I will not.” Her voice was sharp with hurt and anger. “I prayed that God would keep Justin from ruining his life by marrying another low, greedy, scheming female and look what has happened. He’s married to that—that strumpet!” She withdrew her hand from the muff and wiped sudden tears from her eyes. “God does not answer prayer. And I won’t waste my time again!”

      Chapter Four

      T he cabriolet swept smartly into the courtyard of the Wetherstone Inn and rolled to a halt opposite the entrance. At last! Justin stretched the travel stiffness from his body, tossed his lap robe aside, and glanced at his bride—she was still sleeping. “Madam, wake up—we have arrived at our destination.” The carriage swayed as the driver climbed from his seat. The horses snorted. “Madam?” There was no response.

      Justin grasped his wife’s shoulder and shook her lightly. Her head, hidden by the fur-lined hood, lolled forward onto her chest. A scowl creased his forehead. No one slept that soundly. The woman must be ill. Footsteps signaled the driver’s approach. A blast of cold air hit him as the door was opened.

      Justin scooped his new wife’s limp body into his arms, climbed from the carriage and hurried toward the inn. With one booted foot he gave the door a solid, satisfying kick.

      “Breams? Josiah Breams! Open the door!”

      There was a protesting squeak of cold hinges. The door opened.

      “Good evening, sir. We’ve been expecting you and your— Good heavens, sir!” The proprietor of the inn stared down at the cloak-draped body hanging across Justin’s arms. “Has there been an accident, sir? Is your wife injured?”

      “No, there’s been no accident—she’s taken ill.” Justin pushed past the portly proprietor and headed for the stairs. “Have you prepared the room?”

      “Oh, yes, sir.” The little man closed the door and scurried forward, hurrying to get ahead of Justin’s long-legged strides. “It’s all exactly as you asked.” He puffed his way up the long flight of stairs, using the banister to pull himself upward. “I’m sure you’ll be pleased. I laid the fire and—”

      “Save your air. You’ll have an apoplectic fit.” Justin followed the puffing, panting little man down the hall to a small, corner room.

      “Yes, sir.” The corpulent proprietor gasped out the words and opened the bedroom door. Justin brushed past the little man’s protruding paunch and headed for the bed.

      “There!” He deposited Elizabeth on the quilt-covered mattress and turned toward the proprietor who was busily poking up the fire. “I’ll do that. You go get your wife to—What is it?” His eyes narrowed as he peered down at Josiah’s face. “What’s wrong?”

      “My wife’s not here.”

      “Not here? Then who is going to tend my wife?”

      “Perhaps I might be of some assistance.”

      Justin pivoted. A tall, thin man with dark, penetrating eyes and brown hair stood in the open doorway. There was a black leather bag in his hand. “And who might you be?”

      “Thaddeous Allen…at your service.” The man gave a small, polite bow of his head. “I am a physician with the Pennsylvania Hospital.”

      “Come in, Dr. Allen, come in!” Justin crossed the room in three long strides and waved the doctor inside. “I would be most grateful if you would tend my wife. She has collapsed, and I am at a loss as to what to do for her.”

      “Yes. I witnessed your arrival. You seemed in need of aid, so I went for my bag.”

      “In need of aid?” Justin’s left brow lifted. “You are a man of great tact, Doctor. I freely admit my helpless state.”

      “Then, if you will permit me?” The doctor’s gaze slid past Justin to Elizabeth’s still form as Josiah Breams left the room. At Justin’s answering nod he crossed to the bed and placed his black bag on the nightstand. “Tell me, Mr. Randolph, when did your wife collapse?”

      “You know me, Doctor?”

      “Indeed. All of Philadelphia knows of Justin Randolph—especially those of us who have occasion to visit the waterfront.”

      Justin dipped his head. “You’re too kind, Doctor. Now, about my wife…” He scowled at the inert form on the bed. “Perhaps collapse was too strong a word. She fell asleep while traveling and I was unable to rouse her upon our arrival.”

      “I see. I have one more question before I proceed. Is your wife with child?”

      “With child? Of course not. We—” He stopped, staring at the doctor in sudden, stunned silence. How could he know? It was certainly possible. With child! Justin gave a short bark of laughter. So much for his clever plan. He had been tricked again. Made a fool of by a…a—

      By sheer dint of will, Justin forced down the anger surging through him. “I cannot answer that question, Doctor. But, if you should find that to be the cause of her collapse, I would be most grateful if you would inform me at once. You see, we were married this evening.”

      There was a knock on the door. Justin whipped around and yanked it open. “What is it?”

      “I’ve returned, sir. Josiah sent me. He said your bride’s taken ill and you had need of me.” The proprietor’s wife glanced toward the bed.

      “I do indeed.” Justin stepped to one side allowing the woman entrance. His gaze swept to Thaddeous Allen. “Daisy will assist you in anything you require, Doctor. I shall be downstairs, awaiting your diagnosis.” With a curt bow of his head he left the room.

      The doctor whistled softly as the СКАЧАТЬ