She would find out what had happened before passing judgment, but if she did learn Robert had played her false, she would challenge him to a bloody duel. Not in defense of her own honor, but because her poor parents did not deserve to be put through another disgraceful ordeal.
But when she arrived at the hotel and inquired after him, the clerk at the front desk informed her that he’d not seen Lord Darlington since the previous day. “He had his dinner brought up to his room. Before the maid left, he told her he wanted an early night and asked not to be disturbed.”
“And you have not checked on him since?” Athena asked with growing concern.
“It’s not unusual for our guests to rise later in the day. Many of them are out until the early hours of the morning and—”
“I need a key,” Athena said. “To his suite of rooms.”
The clerk blanched. “I cannot provide you with that.”
“Then prepare to have every door kicked in until we find him,” Charles said.
“My lord.” The clerk’s eyes darted between them both. Realizing they were serious, he quickly collected a key and hastened toward the stairs. “I shall escort you.”
Athena picked up the hem of her gown and hurried after him with Charles immediately on her heels. When they reached the second floor, the clerk turned right and walked briskly toward the door at the end. Athena rather wished he would run.
“Lord Darlington?” the clerk called after giving the door a knock. “Are you there?”
“Does he not have a valet with him?’ Charles asked Athena. “Someone to send word if he was unwell?”
Athena raised her own fist and gave the door three loud raps. “Not everyone can afford such luxury, Charles. Robert has been trying to save the expense of unnecessary staff.”
“I see.”
When no one responded from inside the room, Athena said, “Open the door.”
“But—”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” She snatched the key from the clerk and thrust it into the lock. One second later she crossed the threshold and froze. The room was eerily dark with curtains still drawn. And there was a sound – a raspy sort of breathing coming from within the adjoining bedchamber. Leaping across the floor, Athena dashed to Robert’s side. “Bloody hell and a thousand damnations!”
“Athena, you shouldn’t—”
“Don’t you dare tell me what I should or should not do,” Athena snapped at her brother. Tears stung her eyes as her throat clogged with emotion. “Fetch the damn physician if you want to make yourself useful.”
“I merely wished to say that you probably shouldn’t get too close to him. He’s obviously deathly ill and I’d hate for you to—”
“Just go,” she sobbed as she pressed her palm to Robert’s scorching hot forehead. “Now!”
He was barely out the door before she’d located a handkerchief. After wetting it in the washbasin, she spread it across Robert’s brow. He groaned softly in response, drawing her attention to his chapped lips. Unsure of how to help him drink when he was lying down and barely lucid, she found another handkerchief and, after soaking it, attempted to squeeze the water into his mouth. He groaned again, though she wasn’t sure whether the sound he made was one of gratitude or irritation.
Tucking the covers around him, she made sure he was properly covered by his blanket, then went to open the window. The room was too stuffy. The sickly smell filling it would not improve anyone’s health. Of course, it was freezing outside, so she had to take care that letting a bit of crisp air inside did not make him worse.
Athena glanced at the fire burning in the grate, added a log, and turned to the clerk who still stood near the door. Uncertainty marred his features. “Some tea please, along with some honey and a bowl of hot soup, if you have it.”
“We have one with ox tail and one with chicken,” he said, shifting his feet. “Which would you prefer?”
“Bring up the chicken soup, please. Strained so the meat and vegetables are separate from the liquid.”
“I’ll see to it right away.” The clerk left.
Athena returned to Robert’s bedside, checked the compress and, finding it warm, went to soak it again in cool water before returning it to his forehead.
His eyes blinked in response to her touch. “Drink.”
She poured some water into a glass, did her best to raise him into more of a sitting position, and held the glass to his lips. With trembling hands, he clasped it, and drank. His