Page 34 of Her Tempting Traitor
Each evening, she met in the suite of rooms Hunter had been given, and they went over his notes. Or, since he took notes as well as an inebriated penguin, she asked him questions and he did his best to answer.
Has she been nesting or showing any maternal behaviors—restlessness, moving hay, that sort of thing?
Is she producing any fluid or showing changes in her mammary glands?
How regular are her droppings? Any straining, dryness, or odd odor?
According to Hunter, the answers wereMaybe; I’m no’ investigating her titties, Gabby;andHow the hell would I ken what her shite normally is supposed to look like?
And so, despite having been here a week, and despite poor Elizabeth apparently becoming more and more lethargic,Gabby still didn’t have any idea what the problem was. How could she diagnose the poor thing if she couldn’texamineher?
So was it any wonder that her heart had sped right up at the possibility?
Forget investigating Cassian; forget traitors and the Crown and explosives and all the things men decide to entertain themselves with.Thiswas why she was here. This was what she’d been meant to do.
“Hunter?” she squeaked hopefully.
Her brother, unfortunately, winced. “Ye’ll be…present, Gabs.”
That didn’t bode well.
“For…a vaginal exam?” she prompted.
Her brother was clearly trying not to wince again. “Ye ken, for humans, those are the sorts of things that happen under the covers. I mean, under a blanket. Amodestyblanket.” Oh dear Lord, was Hunterblushing? Hewas! “We don’t have a modesty blanket big enough for an elephant—“Because her vaginal canal is the size of your torso—“but having another female present would surely calm her mind. Poor thing.”
That made zero sense, and the way Gabby was staring surely told her brother that.
It was Sir Dickie who explained. “Doctor Butcombe is concerned about Elizabeth’s delicate sensibilities. As a female, you’ll be present to assure that nothing untoward happens.”
What was it that Bull always said?
Oh, for fook’s sake.
The way her twin sighed and shrugged told Gabby that he’d done the best he could, and this was the only way he could get her to see the elephant.
“However, I am going to have to insist you stay in the back, my dear,” Sir Dickie announced sternly. “I’ve given Augustus permission to join us, and his father is welcome as well, of course—ifyou think Elizabeth won’t mind?” he asked Hunter politely.
Before her brother could speak, Gus blurted, “Oh, I’ll be as quiet as a mouse. Only, not abigmouse, I know elephants don’t like mice! My father and Gabby and I will stay in the back of the room and not make a peep!”
And really, when Sir Dickie nodded, there really wasn’t anything left to say, was there?
Except that with her standing in the back of the elephant stall, Gabby wouldn’t be able to pass her brother notes, even if shehadthought to bring a paper and a pen.
Oh well. She stifled a sigh.
Hunter has had his hand up enough vaginas in the last decade. He will just have to pretend he knows what he is doing.
As Sir Dickie turned to ask Gus and Cassian a question, she mouthed,Good luck, to her brother, and his wince told her all she needed to know.
He was going to need it.
CHAPTER 7
The invitation had been very clear.
Cassian,
Miss Butcombe, Augustus and I will be taking tea tomorrow afternoon in the salon and would request your company. We promise not to bore you.
