No Greater Love by Katherine Kingsley

Author:Katherine Kingsley [Kingsley, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION/Romance/Historical
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2013-10-07T13:00:00+00:00

12

Nicholas was gazing out the window lost in thought when a knock came at the door and Binkley entered with a breakfast tray. “Good morning, sir,” he said to Nicholas’ back. “A fine morning it is.”

“Indeed, Binkley, an extremely fine morning,” Nicholas said, turning around, and Binkley nearly dropped the tray.

“Oh, good heavens. Oh, good heavens,” he said. “Oh, my goodness! You’re back, sir!”

“Binkley, you’re babbling,” Nicholas said with a smile.

“I most certainly am not,” Binkley said, recovering his dignity, but he couldn’t disguise the tears that had sprung to his eyes. “Will you be taking your breakfast by the window, sir?” he said, blinking rapidly, and Nicholas grinned.

“Is that where I have been taking my breakfast to date?”

“Yes, sir. Is Mrs. Daventry aware of your recovery?”

“She is. She is across the hall, dressing.”

“And when did the recovery take place, if I might make so bold as to ask, sir?”

“In the middle of the night. I was gone one minute, and back the next, with no idea that there had been any passage of time. Most bizarre.”

“We have all been extremely concerned about you, sir.”

“And I am sorry for worrying you, but I couldn’t really help myself.”

“You had no business going in that water in the first place,” Binkley said severely.

“Yes, I imagined you would have a lecture to give me. Well, I’m sorry, Binkley, but lectures will go straight over my head. I’m too happy at being alive to feel remorseful. A nice shave, perhaps?”

“Certainly, sir. A nice shave it is, as soon as you have eaten your breakfast. You have lost weight, and you must apply yourself to recovering it if your clothes are to fit properly. I am very pleased you have decided to rejoin us, sir. Aside from our concern over your health, there has been much to do. Papers have been coming in from London and Bombay, and I have had no idea how to deal with them, other than writing to the necessary offices to inform them of your illness. You left me no instructions how to cope in such an eventuality.”

“Perhaps because I had no such eventuality in mind,” Nicholas answered with a smile. “Never mind. I don’t think too much harm can have been done in six weeks. Funny, isn’t it, the idea that one can disappear for six weeks?”

“I did not find it amusing in the least,” Binkley said. “I found it extremely alarming, and poor Mrs. Daventry was beside herself. First you won’t wake up at all, lying like a man cold in his grave, and then when you do finally wake up, you don’t bother to do the job properly.”

“I know, Binkley. It’s no way to behave.” He wobbled, and sat down abruptly.

“Sir? Are you feeling unwell?” Binkley asked with concern.

“It’s foolish, but I’m as weak as a babe. I suppose it will take a bit of time to get my strength back.’’

“Fresh air, good food, moderate exercise, sir, should see you fit in no time. But Mrs.

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