She considered gravely. “He might. But there’s no point challenging him to a duel because he’d be bound to appoint a champion, so the whole thing would be a waste of time.”
Carey smiled wanly. “I thought of that. When I talked to him in Dumfries, after King James had arrested him, I told him that whatever way he hurt his wife, I would infallibly do the same to him twice over and be damned to my honour.”
“Well, you’d have to catch him first and beat off his surname, but I don’t think he will kill her. He’s old and he’s sick and he needs her to nurse him when he’s having an attack. In a way, I feel sorry for him despite what he does to Elizabeth.”
“I don’t,” said Carey.
Philly smiled. “Sleep well, my dear,” she said and shut the door softly.
By the time Barnabus went in to help him undress, he was snoring.