The Viscount Who Loved Me

Content Warning: The Chapter 12 Summary and the Analysis of this section include discussion of panic attacks.

Kate is unable to sleep because she cannot stop thinking about Anthony. Kate decides to visit the library for something to read to help her fall asleep. A thunderstorm starts outside, startling her with a sudden flash of lightning. Kate becomes overwhelmed by the noise and hides underneath a table. Meanwhile, Anthony sits in his study, watching the storm while he reviews some documents. He admits to himself that although Kate frustrates him, he respects her and admires her devotion to her family—the same principle he values for himself.

Partway back to his rooms, he sees the library door open and a faint candlelight inside. He enters the library to extinguish the candle, and he hears someone’s panicked breathing somewhere in the room. He searches and finds Kate under the table. Anthony gets under the table with her and puts his arm around her shoulders. He repeats, “I’m here. It will be all right” (222). Eventually, Kate’s panic begins to ease, and Anthony encourages her to open her eyes and look at him. Anthony reassures Kate and offers to just talk to her. Kate asks Anthony to tell her about Aubrey Hall, and about his father.