“It’s because I’m bored to death. A walk in the garden becomes an event. I want to go to the theater, Doctor. I’ve missed the first production altogether. Damn it, I don’t want to miss the opening of the second one.”

“Mmmm-hmmm. I’m told you’ve been refusing your medication.”

“I don’t need it.” She pillowed her head on her hands and scowled. “I told you I feel fine.”

“I’ve always considered grumpiness a sign of recovery,” he said mildly as he helped her to turn over.

“I’m sorry if I’m not behaving very well.” She drew together the bed jacket her father had brought her.

“No, I don’t believe you are.”

She had to smile. “Maybe not, but with everyone hovering around me. Dr. Franco, you can’t imagine what it’s like to be scrutinized. If Chris hadn’t convinced my father to go back to Houston, I’d have gone crazy. He was wonderful, of course. Everyone has been. The children have been drawing me pictures. Dorian smuggled in a kitten. You’re not supposed to know about that.”

“I will consider it privileged information.”

“Prince Armand has come in every day. He brought me this music box.” She reached over to touch the small hammered silver case on her nightstand. “It was his wife’s. He gave it to her when Alex was born, and he said she would want me to have it.”

“Because each of you gave him his son.”

“Dr. Franco, I don’t feel like a hero.” The tears started up again, as they had so often in the past few days. She hated them, hated being so prone to them. “I feel like a mess. I need to get on with my life, let other people get on with theirs. I have too much time to think lying here.”

“Your thoughts trouble you?”

“Some of them. I need to be busy again.”

“Why don’t we try an experiment?”

“As long as it doesn’t involve another needle.”

“No. You will sleep this afternoon.”

“Doctor—”

“Ah, wait until you hear the bargain before you complain. You will sleep this afternoon,” he repeated. “Then this evening, you will get up and put on your most elegant dress. I suggest a high back for a little while yet. You will go to the theater—” He paused as the light came into her eyes. “As an observer only. You will come directly back to the palace after the play. Perhaps we could allow a light supper. Then, like Cinderella, you will be back in bed by midnight.”

“Deal.” She stuck out her hand. As they sealed the bargain, she promised herself she would be back to work before the week was out.

* * *