Chapter 8Over the next week, Frank’s appetite and energy gradually increased as he began to recover steadily. After that, the doctor permitted him to leave the bedroom, so Frank sat in his fireside chair in the sitting room, a robe over his shirt and breeches, working through the piles of documents that awaited his attention until either John or Joshua, taking their lives in their hands, took them beyond his reach.
Joshua had remained to assist John in a united front to stop Frank from doing too much, too soon, only allowing emissaries from Lord Rockingham or Mr. Burke to drop off dispatches and rebuffing any speculative callers who would agitate Frank’s sense of responsibility and drain his limited strength. Frank seemed to accept Joshua’s constant presence without question. But tonight,
