Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1)

Chapter Forty-Three

"Her Highness is well," the physician replied. "I have clean and bandaged her wound. It should heal nicely, without scarring. But she should stay on bedrest for the next three days. That was quite the knock on the head she had there. If she should feel dizzy again or ill, call for me immediately."

Theo nodded tightly, not waiting to dismiss the man before rushing past him into the room. He found Addie propped up in the massive bed, wearing a pink dressing gown and drowning in the masses of costly fabrics. Usually, the sight of her in his bed would satisfy him to no end, but this provided him no pleasure.

Theo raced to her side, and she gave a small laugh. "I'm quite well, Theo."

"Is that why you are ordered to bedrest for three days?" he grumbled.

She frowned. "Three days? I can't stay here for three days. There are things I must see to. What of the king? What of Adam?"

"It has been taken care of, Adelaide," Will said from the doorway.

Addie's brows drew together. "What do you mean?"

"Adam's already been thrown into Newgate. He confessed to everything, the raving mad man. He traveled back to England after seeing a portrait of you from your wedding in a paper in Boston. Just a week ago he managed to get a position at Buckingham, using his connection to Kingfield to bait the prince."

"Oh my God," Addie said, barely breathing the words. Her hand flew to her open mouth and then hovered there, immobile. "He was the footman that George was talking to that morning. The one who was keeping tabs on you, Theo. And the one that was supposed to take you out of the picture."

Will confirmed it. "He said he was never going to harm Theo, though. There would have been no point if he had succeeded in poisoning you."

Addie nodded vapidly. Slowly, she lowered her hand so that it lay in her lap. She clenched the crisp sheets in her fist. "He wanted revenge for getting sent to America."

"Yes," Will agreed. "But he wasn't in his right mind, Adelaide. He was unraveled, going on about your deception and trickery. He didn't believe that you were royalty. He thought he would be doing the country a favor in the process of getting his revenge. Adam was screaming for the king, wanting to tell him that he had done it all in his name. Which just proves he is mad, since the king would cut his head off for killing his son."

"I am so horribly sorry," Andrew said, cutting in. His eyes spoke that truth. "I sent him to a workhouse in Boston, and I paid a man to keep him there, but he must have escaped. I never heard word from my man about it, either."

Addie just shook her numbly. "It isn't your fault."

"I think that's enough for right now," Theo said softly to Trotten and Andrew. They both nodded.

"And the king?" Addie asked, ignoring Theo's words.

Will hesitated but then decided to answer, likely noting Addie's tense face.

"He believes Adam's story. Ernest still does not feel fondly toward you, but he is no longer inclined to believe you killed his son."

Addie gave another absent nod.

"Is there anything else we can get for you, Adelaide?"

She shook her head. "No," she breathed. "not right now. I—I just need some alone time to think." Addie looked from Will to Andrew and then finally rested her gaze on Theo. They connected for a long time and Theo saw the plea in her eyes.

"All right," he said eventually, reluctantly leaving her side to exit the room, ushering the other two men out with him.

The three men walked back down the hall together in silence. Theo wasn't sure what to do with himself or them. Did he offer them a drink? A smoke? What did one do when they had foiled a murderer? None of them seemed eager to celebrate. But Theo didn't want to seem rude so he said, "Would either of you care for a glass of something? Preferably strong?"