Page 3 of Impassioned
“A broken glass at the club. Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or do I need to go in search of Mrs. Haddock?” His housekeeper was the wife of his butler, and she would likely be abed by now. As Haddock typically was. Or at least not at their posts. Constantine had no idea what they did when they weren’t performing their duties, and it was none of his concern.
Haddock stiffened, his shoulders squaring as he met Constantine’s stare. “Lady Aldington arrived earlier this evening.”
The pain in Constantine’s spine sharpened, overtaking the wound in his hand. “I see. Thank you, Haddock.”
“Shall I have some bandaging and poultice brought up to Peale?”
The valet would offer to dress the wound, and Constantine supposed he should let him. “I’d appreciate that.” He started toward the stair hall but paused and looked back at the butler. “The countess’s arrival surprised you.”
“Yes, my lord.” Faint color rose in Haddock’s cheeks. “Perhaps you mentioned it to me, and I forgot.”
Constantine nearly laughed at the preposterousness of that occurrence. “You know that didn’t happen. I’m surprised too. Did she say why she arrived unannounced?”
“She did not.”
“I’m sure I’ll find out in the morning. Good night, Haddock.” Constantine left the entry hall and climbed the stairs. Passing the drawing room, he made his way to the sitting room that served as a sort of antechamber to his and his wife’s bedrooms.
Upon entering, he stopped cold. Seated in a chair before the fire was his wife.
Sabrina Westbrook was the most beautiful woman in England. Or so many had called her during her debut Season two years ago, including him. With her red-gold hair that made one think of honey glistening in the sun, her brilliant sky-blue eyes, and warm cream complexion, she was an ideal. To Constantine, she was the only woman who’d taken his breath away the moment he’d seen her. That she was the young lady his father wanted him to wed had seemed an impossible dream.
Too bad his dream wife had tried to avoid marrying him and was clearly filled with so much loathing that their union was damned from the start. Oh, she could be pleasant and polite, but there was no question that she detested being forced into this marriage and despised his nearness and his touch. Constantine had done a fair job of burying the hurt he’d felt then. So much so that he could almost forget it. Almost.
“What happened to your hand?” She came toward him, jolting him from his reverie. The skirt of her dark green dressing gown swirled about her ankles. Without waiting for his answer, she reached for him.
He took a step back, shocked by her approach. “I think the more important question, madam, is what are you doing here?”
Chapter 2
Sabrina froze, her mind arresting on the fact that she’d almost touched him. They only ever touched in her bedchamber, on the rare occasions that he’d visited her in the not yet two years of their marriage. She hadn’t even realized she was going to touch him, and if she’d thought about it, she would not have tried. But she’d seen that he was hurt, and her instinct to care for him—for anything or anyone who needed help—had taken over.
“I live here.” She met his gaze with a haughtiness she’d never managed before and was proud that she’d been able to do it. Her anxiety with people, particularly strangers—and her husband was little better than a stranger—had always been crippling. But no more. She needed to emerge from the shadows, to claim her role as countess, both in public and in private.
His expression flickered with surprise, and she felt a flare of satisfaction along with her pride. He was expecting the shy, malleable wife he’d married.
“You could have sent word that you were coming so that the household was prepared.”
She really should have, particularly since she was in need of a new ladies’ maid. Hers had married last year and was now expecting her first child. She’d resigned her employment before Sabrina had left for London, and one of the upstairs maids here at Aldington House had been unceremoniously thrust into the position upon Sabrina’s arrival.
“My decision to come was made rather hastily.” Once she’d decided to make a change, she’d moved quickly before she could lose her courage. “I apologize if I’ve upset you or the household.” She used a neutral tone just as he had.
“You could never do that,” he said.
Sabrina wasn’t sure how that made her feel. On the one hand, she liked to be amenable and would hate to cause trouble for anyone. On the other, her husband’s easy insistence that she would never be a bother made herwantto be. If only to prove that he barely knew her.
Except he was right. Did that mean hedidknow her? At least a little?
His valet, Peale, entered the sitting room bearing a tray with what looked to be supplies to care for Aldington’s wound. Summoning the bravado and steel she knew she needed for this entire trip, Sabrina strode toward him and took the tray. “I’ll take care of his lordship. Thank you, Peale.”
The valet’s auburn brows arched briefly before he inclined his head. “Of course, my lady. May I say what a pleasure it is to see you.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to be back in London.” She clutched the tray in front of her.
Peale flicked a glance toward Aldington. “Just ring if you require anything further.” He bid them good night before departing the sitting room.
Sabrina set the tray on a nearby table and went back to her husband. Her gaze dipped to the triangle of dark ivory flesh that was exposed at his throat due to his lack of cravat. She wasn’t used to seeing him like that. Her mouth suddenly felt a bit dry, so she licked her lips. “May I see your hand?”
As he unwrapped the cloth, she realized what had happened to his cravat. Moving toward her, he held his hand out, palm up. The uneven gash was midway between his thumb and forefinger. Dried blood clung to his flesh.
