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he felt for her pulse. ‘You often have these nightmares?’
    ‘No,’ she admitted.
    ‘Is it a new thing for you to wander while asleep, then?’
    Kate answered for her, a knowing smile on her lips as she took in Margerie’s nervous reaction to his presence. ‘It is, sir, and it worries me greatly. Should Mistress Croft take a sleeping draught before retiring each night, do you think? Or perhaps you know of some infusion of herbs that would calm her spirits?’
    His gaze flicked to her face, then returned to Margerie’s. ‘Are your spirits upset?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Yet Mistress Langley has described you as being in a state of distress.’
    ‘Since I cannot recall what happened, I am not able to confirm that.’
    ‘Forgive me,’ Master Elton said, inclining his head, but she saw an ironic gleam in his eyes. ‘So you do not recall the dream that caused you to wander from your bed tonight?’
    She had been dreaming, yes. But her memories were so confused. It had been dark in her dream, she remembered that. She had been running down an unlit corridor. Hands had grabbed her from behind, pushing her to the floor. She had struggled, then someone had been kissing and crushing her, suffocating her . . .
    She put her hand to her throat. ‘No,’ she managed, then saw that the guard holding the torch aloft was staring at her meagre nightgown.
    ‘Might I return to bed now?’ she demanded of the doctor. ‘I am recovered from my nightmare, Master Elton, and have no need of your . . . services.’
    Kate stirred at this. ‘No, you must not be so foolish.’ She lowered her voice to an urgent whisper as Margerie turned away. ‘Margerie, you were screaming in your sleep. Trust me, you looked half-demented. Let the doctor examine you.’
    ‘You have a wise friend there, Mistress Croft,’ Master Elton murmured, watching her.
    ‘I am perfectly well, thank you, and need no examination.’
    ‘Go with him,’ Kate urged her softly. ‘He is a doctor, there will be no impropriety.’
    No, she would not be bullied into betraying herself with this man. To be alone in a room with him would be madness indeed, for she knew how hotly her blood beat for him. It would be but a small step between letting this doctor examine her and slipping into his bed, as willing for his hard body as any wanton.
    ‘You may leave us, Master Elton,’ she told him steadily, looking him in the eye. ‘Thank you.’
    She had expected to see anger in his face, for she had spoken curtly. Yet Master Elton did not seem offended by her dismissal, nor did he protest. His smile was fleeting but she was sure she had not imagined it. The doctor was amused by her refusal, not angered.
    He bowed, taking a step backwards. ‘If you do suffer more of this night wandering, Mistress Croft, there is a sleeping draught I could make up for you,’ he told her calmly. ‘My workshop and private quarters are on the second floor of the tower above the rose gardens. You can find me there most days, though occasionally I am called away to attend a patient.’
    ‘I will bring her to you, sir,’ Kate promised him, ignoring her stifled gasp.
    But Master Elton was already gone, the guard accompanying him back to his rooms with the torch.
    Margerie glared at her friend. ‘Why did you say that? Now he will expect me to visit him.’
    ‘You find him handsome,’ Kate pointed out, her smile broad now, ‘and he is not married. Why should you not visit him?’
    ‘You are not that naïve.’
    Smiling, Kate kissed her on the cheek. ‘So what if you end up sleeping with him? You have no virginity to lose, and if you are discreet, no one will chide you for it. Not at this court. And why should you not pursue a little pleasure while you are still young and unwed?’
    ‘I am hardly young, Kate. I am seven and twenty years of age. Nor am I ever likely to be wed. Not with my reputation.’
    ‘Reputations can be fixed.’ Kate shrugged carelessly. ‘Besides, there is always some wealthy