Page 65 of Wicked Again
“Goodness, no.” The very idea would compel Marissa to take another swallow of the medicine Doctor Steward had left behind, and she detested laudanum. No wonder she felt hazy.
“How are you feeling? I’ve checked your pupils—”
“You did what? While I was asleep?”
“I overheard Doctor Steward tell Papa what to look for. Are you well?”
“I am, but not so recovered to allow you to read to me from such a thing.” Marissa tilted her head in the direction of the book. “I fear I am squeamish at best.”
“Only of medicinal things? I truly thought you might have a fit of apoplexy when I asked Mr. Coventry about the little sponges he sells. I wasn’t sure how I would explain that to my father.”
“You shouldn’t even know of or ask about such things.”
“I think you are incredibly brave, Marissa. You took me on and,” she said conspiratorially, “everyonein London has heard of your niece.”
Marissa placed a hand over her eyes. “I fear my influence has not been beneficial.”
“Do not blame yourself. One moment I had settled myself in the carriage—”
“Leapt in,” Marissa corrected her. “Your jumping was reminiscent of a grasshopper.”
Jordana bit her lip. “Imayhave startled the footman. George is new.”
“His name is George?” Marissa tucked the name away.
“Yes. And he has a nervous disposition to begin with—”
“All the more reason for him not to be my footman. How do you know his name?” Marissa narrowed her eyes. Was Jordana flirting with a footman? It seemed unlikely, but stranger things had happened.
“Greenhouse told me. George is his nephew.”
Well, that explains things.
“I think he became more clumsy thinking he would displease you,” Jordana finished.
“Well, I assure you, allowing my own purchases to assault me, like an attack from the heavens, did not endear him to me. Your father wants me to sack him.” Marissa shot her a look. “But I won’t.”
“Papa wasveryupset,” Jordana said in a serious tone. “Very.”
“I’m sure Lord Haddon was only concerned foryoursafety. You’d been entrusted to my care, and after seeing what my groom and driver managed today, chances are he won’t allow you out with me again.”
“I doubt that.” Jordana placed her elbow on the arm of the chair, propping her chin up with one hand. The silvery eyes held a hint of mirth. “I’verarelyseen him in such a state, which is saying something as he lives with me and my horrid sisters. Yes,” she leaned forward, “all the tales of us are true. Even so, Papa rarely raises his voice, not even when a slew of governesses quit or the dancing instructor he hired from London ran out of the house. But that was because Poppy stuck a frog down Mr. Monograt’s trousers.”
“I see.”
“You wouldn’t have liked Mr. Monograt,” Jordana rushed to assure her.
“Possibly. Lord Haddon possesses a patient and calm demeanor.” No one was more appreciative of such a character trait than Marissa.
“I would not have called him patient or calm earlier today.”
Marissa plucked at the coverlet. She didn’t care for the turn of this conversation. “I’m surprised he noticed us at all. But how fortuitous he was there.”
The silver of Jordana’s eyes shifted, making her appear much older than she was. “I’ve only ever seen him run so fast one other time,” she said matter-of-factly. “When Martie fell from her horse while riding bareback.”
“Bareback? That is hardly something a young lady should be doing.”
Haddon had run to her aid? In the middle of Bond Street?
