Page 63 of Wicked Again
“No. I only have a slight headache. And the curtains are not helping. I fear you weren’t exaggerating when you claimed I could assist you with your decorating. I thought, Haddon, you were joking. But now,” her eyes opened to see him watching her, not the least concerned she found his decorating atrocious, “I can see the situation is far more serious than you led me to believe.”
“There I was on Bond Street thinking to catch up with you and Jordana—” he started in a quiet voice.
“You were?” Maybe he hadn’t seen her watching him.
Haddon’s lips twitched. “I was right down the street, as you well know.”
Drat.
Marissa pursed her lips. “I don’t know what you mean. Certainly, if Ihadseen you, I would have flagged you down to ask your assistance. In doing so, I might have avoided being hit by a flood of boxes.”
“Of course.” His forefinger began to stroke a line against her palm. “Saved from having your junior footman—”
“He’saspiringto footman. I believe he was a groom not a week ago.”
“Whatever he is, my opinion is the lad should be sacked for allowing a small case holding several bottles from an apothecary shop,” another smile hovered at his lips, “to fall on his employer’s head.
Her hair dye. “Did any of the bottles break?” she asked cautiously, not wanting to disclose the contents.
“No. Had you been paying the least attention to your own safety, you would know that.” His voice roughened. “Instead, you were too occupied watching me and Lady Christina Sykes. A girl who you find too young for me but one you are convinced will give me the heir you assume I require.”
“All titled gentlemen require an heir.” She tried to pull her hand away.
“And whom you claim, very firmly, you don’t care if I marry. Which I think we can both agree is a lie.”
She tugged at her hand and he finally let go. “I wish to go home.” His observations made her sound ridiculous. Clasping her hands, she stared straight ahead, dismissing him.
“Good Lord,really? Not only can younotdismiss me in my own home, but you aren’t going anywhere.” He ran a hand through his hair causing the ends to stick up like spikes. “You aren’t to be moved, according to Dr. Steward. At least for the night.”
The night?She couldn’t stay with Haddon. “Just send a note—”
“I’ve already sent word to your niece, Lady Malden. She declined to come and fetch you, by the way.”
Well, this was mildly embarrassing.
“Spencer, then.” She waved a hand. “Lord Kelso. He’ll come fetch me.”
“Unfortunately, he can’t. He and Lady Kelso left this morning for Gray Covington. No one is coming to your rescue.”
Admittedly, it was slightlythrillingto be held captive by Haddon, despite his sudden air of annoyance. She preferred his concerned demeanor of a moment ago. But at least he wasn’t coldly furious as he’d been at the theater, thinking Nighter was her lover.
I don’t want another lover.
“But I’ve none of my things,” Marissa said tartly. Lifting the covers, she was shocked to see not the clothing she’d worn to take Jordana shopping, but a silk robe. At least she still had her chemise on. She sniffed at the silk. It smelled of Haddon.
“I appear to be wearing a man’s robe.”
“You are. I’m thrilled to see the little knock on your head didn’t damage your eyesight.”
“Does this garment belong to you?” Heat washed up her chest to her cheeks.Good grief. The physician had seen her wearing Haddon’s robe. “What will Dr. Steward think?”
He didn’t answer, but a mischievous glint entered his eyes. “You are my guest for the night until I can be assured you are well.”
“How kind.”
“It’s the least I could do for my daughter’selderlychaperone.”
He tried to take her hand again, and she slapped at it.
