Page 81 of My Darling Rogue
Gabriel’s head tilted, an eyebrow raising in dark amusement at her obvious tactic.
“If you are feeling well, you most certainly should do as you please, Lady Rosenthorne,” Dr. Franklin said with an encouraging smile.
“Thank you. How refreshing to discover your sage advice matches my feelings on the subject. Why, I might have just had the capacity of diagnosing myself all along!”
Celia found she could not move when Gabriel suddenly moved closer. Standing beside the bed, his hand clamped over her shoulder, keeping her pinned against the pillows. “It’s best you stay where you are. Just relax and let me tend to you. Even when you are somewhat petulant, I enjoy seeing to your needs.” His fingers drifted up and caressed the curve of her throat, his touch sure and possessive. “In fact, I insist upon it.”
Celia flushed, catching the meaning behind his words and his actions. She was behaving rather brattish, and Gabriel would not hesitate in correcting her once they had a bit of privacy. He might even punish her for speaking so freely to the doctor. Why her blood began racing through her veins at the very thought was a puzzle she’d yet to work out.
“I will walk you out to your carriage, Doctor Franklin. The marchioness and I both appreciate you coming so quickly.” Gabriel moved away, and Celia thought it was as if the sun had retreated. When he glanced back at her while escorting the doctor to the bedchamber door, Celia shivered at the promise in his dark gaze. “I’ll return in a moment, darling. Do not think of moving from that bed. Not even one inch.”
Celia should have thought twice, but her chin tilted high in a challenging manner. “I anxiously await your return, dear husband.”
Gabriel’s eyes burned at the unspoken challenge in Celia’s voice, a smirk twisting his lips. “Not as much as I do.”
* * *
Gabriel tookthe stairs returning to the master bedchamber slowly. He could not erase from memory how Celia had appeared just before she fainted. How frightened she appeared. It was as though she’d seen a ghost, her features so white and pale that she might have been an apparition herself. He literally panicked when she slumped in his arms. His usual, calm demeanor was almost comically obliterated by fear and irrational terror for his wife’s well-being.
He barely remembered bolting up the stairs, holding her body against his as if he could protect her from whatever caused her pain.
While the doctor’s examination left him with the peace of mind Celia had not fainted from an unknown physical ailment, Gabriel could not ignore the factsomethinghad happened.
The question was: what triggered it?
Gabriel dismissed the upstairs staff milling nervously about on the second-floor landing. Even Katie, Celia’s maid, was dismissed before he reentered the master bedchamber.
It was gratifying to see Celia still abed. She wore her traveling dress, although the hat and gloves had been removed. Even her hair remained twisted into a modest bun. During his absence, she’d moved and now sat propped against the headboard, numerous fluffy pillows piled high behind her. Her dark chocolate brown eyes followed him as he shut the door and then leaned against it with arms crossed over his chest.
“I’m glad you are feeling better,” he murmured.
Celia returned his stare. “I did not need the physician. I told you it is common for women to faint. Perhaps I overheated or did not eat enough lunch.” She shrugged. “Even the coach ride could be to blame.”
“Hmm,” was Gabriel’s reply. He considered that for a few moments then came closer, arms still crossed as he studied her. “Have you ever been to Rosenthorne Hall before?”
Celia shook her head. “It’s well known that your father rarely entertained. In the years since my coming out, no events have taken place here. Why do you ask?”
Gabriel knew he was missing something important when it came to this fainting business, but he could not reason it out. “I thought perhaps something about this place triggered a memory of something terrible. Or even sad.”
Was he wrong in thinking perhaps her face paled just a little bit more? There was a secret here, but damned if he could uncover it.
She let out a shaky laugh. “I hope you will not call for a doctor every time I sneeze, for heaven’s sake. I don’t know if I would like becoming one of Doctor Franklin’s regular patients, although I understand why some women would.”
Gabriel’s mouth tightened. “Did you enjoy yourexaminationby the good doctor?”
Her eyes narrowed at the unmistakable note of jealousy in his tone. He couldn’t hide it.
She shrugged. “You called for him, husband. Remember?”
“So I did. I trust you recall my warning regarding certain situations?”
Celia flinched, and while Gabriel felt a pang of regret for reminding her of his violent tendencies, he wasn’t sorry that it was true.
“Even more egregious than your flirtation is your impudence. Certainly not very marchioness-like, wouldn’t you agree?” His hand reached out, brushing aside a tendril of hair that fell across her smooth brow.
When Celia sighed, Gabriel sensed her gratitude that the subject had changed. He should investigate further into why that was, but the spark in her eye intrigued him more.
“I know I must work very hard at being a marchioness you will be proud of, Gabriel.” Celia’s chin tilted up in that familiar gesture he recognized so well.
