Page 56 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
Julius had taken gentle care when removing her hat and cloak, and now did the same in removing her gloves.
Also galling were the tingles coursing through her body every time he touched her. “I will declare myself ruined and insist you marry me, if you do not stop fussing over me.”
“Is that supposed to scare me?” Julius knelt in front of her to remove her walking boots. “I’ll obtain the special license this very day and marry you tomorrow.”
“Lord Thorne!” Robbins was gaping at his master for Julius had taken improper hold of her leg, his hand wrapped around her calf to stop her from kicking him. “Lord Thorne…”
“What?” Julius asked with marked impatience, no doubt aimed at her since the poor valet had done nothing to irritate him.
Robbins raked a hand through his thinning hair as he cleared his throat. “Is this not…unseemly? Lady Gregoria is scheduled to wed Lord Allendale in a matter of days.”
“I am well aware. Have I not been taking her around on wedding errands all week long? Has this house not been turned upside down with her wedding preparations? Go polish some boots, Robbins. I do not need you taking her side.”
Gory meant to toss back a snide retort, but she suddenly couldn’t seem to form the words. Her head felt as though it was splitting in two. “Ow. Ow. Ow.”
“Robbins, wait! Apologies for my rudeness.” He caught Gory up in his arms as she started to fall forward off the bed. “Run downstairs and fetch Mrs. Quinn right away. Have her bring smelling salts and clean cloths. Hurry. Gory, stop fighting me. Your head is bleeding again.”
She stopped resisting because he sounded genuinely worried.
In truth, so was she.
The light had suddenly gone out of the room, which made no sense because it had been broad daylight only moments ago. Perhaps it was those gathering storm clouds causing the darkness. Yes, it had to be.
The possibility that she had just lost her sight was too horrific to contemplate.
“Just lie still, Gory. Dear heaven. What was I thinking to let you out of my bed?”
“It wasn’t your choice,” she said weakly, offering no resistance when he began to undress her. “Julius, what’s happening to me?”
“I don’t know, love. Please lie quietly. Let me get you comfortable.”
“I’m glad it’s you beside me,” she whispered.
“So am I, love,” he replied, his voice rasping. “I won’t leave you.”
“Why do you call me that? Love. It’s nice, you know. No one has ever called me by an endearment, not even Allendale.”
He said nothing as he loosened her laces and left her only in her chemise. “Gory, do you remember anything of what we said to each other last night?”
“No.” Perhaps this is what was giving her the pounding headache. “What did we say? Was it something important?”
CHAPTER 8
JULIUS PACED IN front of his bed while Gory slept peacefully under the covers.
Dr. Farthingale had come and gone, giving him assurances that Gory would be all right and that all she needed was a solid night’s rest. However, she was to remain in bed for the next two days at a minimum and that was a firm order, one that Julius was not going to allow her to ignore.
Even though her sight had returned almost immediately, she had scared the blazes out of him and there was no point in taking chances that she might incur permanent damage next time.
“I will make certain she behaves like a proper patient,” Julius had assured him.
It was now close to eight o’clock in the evening.
The sky had darkened and a night’s chill had set in, but all was warm within his bedchamber because he had lit a fire and made certain it remained stoked.
Adela and Ambrose had not arrived home yet.
In truth, Julius was in no hurry to have them return because Adela would take over Gory’s care and he would then be shut out. He was not ready to give Gory into anyone else’s care, not even Adela’s.
