Adam blamed her for Steven's illness.

More than anything it mattered to Kathryn that Adam Brand should judge her fairly. How could he condemn her for refusing to marry his best friend and move to Africa? After all, she didn't love Steven. It was ridiculous to blame the blood disease Steven had picked up on her rejection of him. She considered writing to Steven, asking him to tell Adam the truth. But how could she explain why she cared what Adam thought? She couldn't even explain it to herself.

What is a woman to do when she finds herself in love with a man who not only does not love her but has been cruelly prejudiced against her even before they met? The problem if made even more difficult to cope with when they are brought together every day by thcir work as doctor and nurse. Kathryn’s solution, where Doctor Adam Brand was concerned was to take refuge behind a facade of pride — but she found it a very inadequate defence.