“Grandpapa!” Veronica exclaimed, finding her voice again. She lifted a hand and pressed her finger to her burning lips.

“I quite agree,” Sebastian replied to her grandfather, a completely roguish, unrepentant grin on his face. “I shall see to it at my earliest opportunity.”

Stifling a gasp, Veronica swiveled sharply on her heel to give Sebastian a warning look outside of her grandfather’s sight. Oh, she’d have plenty to say to her scoundrel of a husband the moment they were alone together.

Replacing her narrowed-eyed glare for a warm smile, she turned back to her grandfather. “How are you feeling, Grandpapa?” she asked in a desperate bid to change the subject.

“I’m feeling especially fine today,” the older man replied, a bright smile on his face. “Now that my V is here, I feel even better.” He reached out and patted her hand.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Veronica replied, leaning down and pulling the covers over her grandfather’s chest. She placed a hand on his leathery cheek. “You’re certainly looking fit.” She shot a questioning glance at her mother, who merely shrugged.

“He’s having a good day. Aren’t you, Papa?” Mama interjected.

“Where is Grandmama?” Veronica asked next.

“Her Grace is taking a nap,” the maid offered from her spot in the corner where she sat, overlooking Grandpapa’s bed.

Veronica nodded. “I look forward to seeing her.”

“Speaking of a nap.” Grandpapa stretched his arms above his head and let out an exaggerated yawn. “I am feeling tired myself at the moment. I should probably rest before dinner.”

“Dinner?” Veronica’s brows shot up. She frowned at him. “But, Grandpapa, you cannot possibly mean to come down to dinner.”

“I’d like to know why not,” Grandpapa replied, his own frowning gaze jumping between Veronica and her mother. “A man’s got to eat, doesn’t he?”

“Whatever you like, Papa,” Mama said, reaching down to pat his hand that rested atop the burgundy coverlet. “We’ll leave you to rest now.”

Mama quickly ushered Veronica and Sebastian from the room. Veronica didn’t speak until they were in the corridor again and many paces away from her grandfather’s door. “It can’t be good for him to leave bed, can it?”

Mama sighed. “The doctor told us he should be kept comfortable, but allowed to do whatever he seems fit enough to. He’s quite excited you’re here, darling.” She squeezed her daughter’s shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile. “I haven’t seen him this well in days.”

“But he’s so ill,” Veronica replied, biting her lower lip. “I certainly don’t want to be the reason his condition worsens. We should send up a tray.” Of course she didn’t mention that the more grandfather was around, the more she’d have to pretend to like Sebastian.

Mama chuckled as they began walking back toward the staircase. “I’d like to see you try to keep him away, darling. As you know, he’s always been quite stubborn. I’m afraid he’s even more so these days.”

“I say your grandfather should be allowed to do whatever he likes,” Sebastian chimed in as he strolled along beside them.