Page 41 of Black Widow

A bead of sweat dripped down the side of her face as she returned to her task. Amelia tried to minimize the jostling of the viscount’s injured leg as best she could, but she winced each time Crispin panted orgroaned.

“I’ve got it!” she exclaimed as the piece of wood broke off, freeing hisleg.

Her eyes gravitated to the darkness exposed by the removal. Her father had been right. This part of the house was over one of the largest of the subterranean rooms. If Crispin had fallen all the way through the floor, he would have plunged to hisdeath.

Ignoring fear for her own safety, she focused on helping Crispin, half-pulling and pushing until they reached Gideon’s position near thedoor.

The earl pulled her to her feet despite her protest he help Crispin first. She was set on the ground in front of the house without a word. Then he went back. He emerged cradling Crispin in his arms like achild.

Gideon carried the other man effortlessly, depositing him in one of the bedrooms of the cottage while she sent Gibson for a physician. The doctor was young, a man she did not recognize because he was new to the area. At Gideon’s suggestion, the doctor doused Crispin’s wound in strong alcohol before sewing it shut. Then he bound his ankle because it was badlysprained.

Gibson set up a pallet in the kitchen for himself so she and the earl could each take one of the two remaining bedrooms. She retired early, washing and collapsing in bed before the moon was high in the sky. But she couldn’t sleep. She lay staring at the sliver of the night sky visible through thewindow.

Her door opened a short while later.Gideon could have at leastknocked.

“Amelia?” He was holding ataper.

“I’m sleeping,” she said tonelessly, not bothering to turn and look athim.

He sighed and closed the door. But he was on the wrongside.

Amelia should have been outraged, but she was too tired. Her heavy limbs refused to rise from the bed to slaphim.

Gideon set the candle on the small table and sat down next toher.

“We need totalk.”

“What would be thepoint?”

“The point is I know the truth about Worthing and Martin. The viscount told meeverything.”

It should have alarmed her that she had failed to keep Martin’s deepest secret, but it was difficult to summon the energy. “Did he tell you why Martin kept the fire a secret?” she askedinstead.

“Yes, but first I need to apologize to you. I’ve been a fool. I allowed myself to be influenced by gossip, rather than my own knowledge of you. I should have believed in you. You’re still the principled and compassionate girl I’ve alwaysknown.”

“I agree on one point—you are a fool,” she saidlightly.

His words were fine, but it was still a terribleapology.

He probably has few occasions to apologize to anyone.She really should savor theexperience.

Gideon grunted. “You scared the hell out of me today. What possessed you to go inside? Let alone climb those stairs. That could have been you instead of Crispin. He was trying to follow after us when hefell.”

He took her hand and lowered his voice. “Amelia, what were you doing in that room with the house falling down around you? If…if something had happened to you, I would never have forgiven myself. I know I hurtyou—”

“I wasnotgoing to jump,” Amelia snapped. “I’m not about to do myself in because your lovemaking was not up to snuff,” she added with a quirk of her lips, unable toresist.

“It’s not funny! You took ten years off my life. Martin will never forgive me for what I’ve done. I will never forgivemyself.”

His apology was no longer amusing.I can’t blame him for what happened—as much as I wantto.

“Gideon…you did nothing wrong. Naturally, you assumed I was a woman of experience. And I had a few delusions about the act itself. There, now I have absolved you. Please leave so I may go tosleep.”

“No.” He gripped her hand tighter. “I need to explain about what happened between us. You see…er…when a man and awoman—”

Amelia shook his hand off. “Don’t you dare condescend to me! I am not a child, nor am I animbecile.”

He scowled at her. “I’m aware of that. But you were ign—uninformed. The first time is always difficult for a virgin, but it improves. Under the right circumstances, it can be very pleasurable for thefemale.”

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