Emily Hendrickson Read Online Free Page B

did ask for trouble, entering the house like that.” She folded up the last of the bloodied cloths, placing it atop the stack.
    Purvis gave a snort, adding, “Young men will do strange things around St. Valentine’s Day, won’t they?” She tidied the table and bed, then surveyed her patient.
    “I doubt that had a thing to do with this nocturnal call, however,” Elizabeth said in reply. Worry flooded her being as she continued to look at the silent man on her bed. “I shall sit up with him for what remains of the night. After all, it is my fault he is wounded.” Her eyes added the rider that he would not be in her bed if he had gone about the call in a proper manner.
    Aunt Bel materialized at her side, studying Lord Leighton with shrewd eyes. “I believe that would be permissible. You are betrothed as far as I am concerned.” To his lordship she added, “You have fulfilled my vision, sir, but you might have arrived at a more proper hour.”
    She motioned James to her side, then watched as he removed Leighton’s boots and settled the man more comfortably. Ignoring Elizabeth’s sputtering, Lady Montmorcy organized the room, seeing that her niece had all she needed, then retired.
    Once alone, Elizabeth met Lord Leighton’s drowsy gaze with trepidation. Swallowing with care, she said, “We are not, you know. She fancies the notion tonight.” She spared a glance at the mantel clock, then continued, “I shall convince her later that it is all a hum.”
    She paused by the side of the bed and admonished him, “What an exceedingly foolish thing to do, to be sure.”
    “It seemed like a good idea at the time. After all, Romeo tried it,” he murmured groggily. “Didn’t expect a gun.”
    “What with all that went on while I was in London, with those intruders, I find I have peace of mind with it under my pillow.”
    “I see.”
    “Besides, I was not the person you intended to see this night,” Elizabeth observed primly, annoyed at the feeling of ill-usage that grew within her.
    “And who did I plan to see?” he inquired.
    “This was Hyacinth’s room until this evening. She is the woman you aimed to call upon.”
    “Rubbish.” He stirred, then groaned. His sigh and look of reproach brought Elizabeth to his side with a cloth wrung out in cool water. She gently wiped his brow, then offered him a drink of water.
    “Hush, now. We can discuss this in the morning. You are in no condition to make sense of anything at the moment.”
    She watched with a kind of satisfaction as the potion Purvis had given Lord Leighton took effect. Those absurdly long lashes drifted down over ashen cheeks, and in minutes he slept.
    Three of the clock, and bitterly cold out. She wrapped the robe Purvis had fetched her more tightly about her, then strolled to the fireplace. She placed another scoop of coal on the fire, stirring the blaze absently. The flames leaped higher, and she relished the warmth. The French windows were now shut tightly, and shut they would remain. She wanted no chill to injure his lordship.
    Turning, she studied the man in her bed. He looked different now as he slept beneath the prim white covers. Innocent. Vulnerable. Odd, she had never associated those words with the rake she considered him to be. While in London he had teased her unmercifully, or at least, she amended in all fairness, he had teased her with the good-natured toleration of an older brother.
    He had driven her quite mad with all those taunting glances, the words meant to mock her. And as for those kisses he had stolen while at the Fenwick’s ball, well!
    And now he sought her dear cousin, Hyacinth. Regardless of his protests, she knew better. He must have bribed one of the maids to reveal the location of her cousin’s room. Hyacinth, with her glorious red hair and green eyes and flawless skin—but for two or three freckles that only added to her appeal.
    What would happen later this day at the ball? Elizabeth wondered suddenly. She could