Richard chuckled, leaning his head back against the pillows. “Oh, dear Mama. She is quite a meek, soft-spoken creature, you know. I think she nursed me back to health after my illness and simply asked me not to do such a thing again, but other than that, there was no punishment. I suspect she knew my father had taken the strap to me, so she did not see a need to say anything further. Good woman. I miss her greatly.”

“You could visit her, you know,” Adelaide suggested with a wry smile. “She is not dead. Indeed, I write to her more regularly than I do you, and I think she would welcome the chance to see you again, particularly now you are determined to lead a better life.”

He smiled at her, his dark eyes seeming almost soft as they looked at her. “Perhaps I should. You are so good, Adelaide. I’d be lost if it weren’t for you. I have no doubts at all it is your influence that has allowed my brother to keep me here as long as he has. I am so grateful.”

Adelaide blushed at the praise and shyly pushed one of her curls behind an ear. “I do not know about that. I may have insisted we keep you here while we tend you, but we have not discussed the matter since. I think Basset still has hope of you, and that is why you are still with us.”

“What an idea,” he murmured. He seemed to laugh very softly at it, then pushed himself to a full sitting position with some effort. “In that case, I must do my best to get better quickly, now I am out of danger. I must be of use. A few more laps today should help, and then you’d best get down to dinner, or Harry will think you like me.”

Awkwardly, Adelaide pushed herself up from the chair, taking a moment to find her balance when she did so. “Not likely. Come, I will help you.”

Richard gave her a bewildered look. “In your condition? Adelaide, you’ve got enough burden on you already, you hardly need my weight added to it.”

“I don’t intend to carry you,” she protested with a huff. “Just help you stay steady. I will be no good at all if you fall to the floor, so kindly don’t, and we won’t have any problem at all.”

He chuckled at that, nodding as he swung his legs gingerly over the side of the bed. “Fair enough. I can manage getting myself up if you will simply allow me to place my arm across your shoulders as I walk.”

Adelaide nodded with a quick smile. “Seems simple enough.”