Page 59 of The Recluse of Wolfeton House (Ladies of Devon 4)

Hattie, it seemed, had come to the same conclusion. “Oh!” she said softly before falling against Bentley’s side. Her body pressed against him, and he was so caught off guard by her action that he delayed response, standing limply beside her like a simpleton.

“Put your arms around me,” Hattie hissed quietly. “I’m ill.”

Bentley complied, sliding his arms around Hattie’s waist just as she fell fully against him. He dropped his package of pigments on the floor and slid his free hand under her knees, lifting her in his arms and pulling her close to his chest. Her head lolled against his shoulder, and her warm breath puffed on his skin, sending a wave of shivers over his neck.

“Smelling salts,” she murmured quietly, so softly he hardly heard her.

“Smelling salts!” he called in his most authoritative tone. “The woman has fainted. Does anyone have smelling salts?”

“Oh, miss!” Agnes said, jumping to his side and taking Hattie’s hand, chafing it between both of hers. “I don’t have my salts!”

“I do.” The matronly woman near the door crossed to them quickly, her gray eyebrows raised high on her forehead. She pulled a vial from her reticule and popped the cork from the top, waving it under Hattie’s nose.

Hattie immediately stirred, sucking in a quick gasp as her eyes fluttered lazily.

Bentley looked down at her, the gold flecks shining so brightly within their copper brown depths. Or perhaps that was due to how close he was to her. His heart hammered in his chest, and he was certain Hattie could feel it, so fast and hard it was pumping. Bentley hoped she believed it was from the fear of nearly being caught in an intimate conversation with her and not the truth—that he was overcome by the perfection of holding this woman in his arms.

“Miss Green!” the woman said. “What has come over you?”

“I’m afraid I do not know,” Hattie replied in an alarmingly convincing manner, her tone faint and weak. “I am so embarrassed.”

“Hush, child. There is no cause for that.” The older woman looked up at Bentley with mild disapproval, her mouth pinched. “You are fortunate to have been so near this capable man when you felt weak.”

“Indeed,” Hattie agreed, closing her eyes again.

“Shall I fetch Mrs. Green?” Agnes asked.

When Hattie spoke, her eyes remained tightly closed. “You may go for the carriage. I don’t wish to spoil Lucy’s shopping. I can await her in there.”

The older woman sputtered. “But surely she—”

“Right away, miss.” The maid bobbed a curtsy and hurried outside.

Hattie looked up at Bentley meekly, her voice soft. “Would you be so good as to put me down, sir?”

The older woman sputtered. “But Miss Green, really, do you think you can stand on your own?”

Hattie looked at the woman. “Mrs. Naylor, I am so grateful for your consideration, but I do think I can manage it. With help, of course.”

With some hesitation, Bentley lowered Hattie’s feet to the floor, his other arm remaining around her in the guise of support. He was exceedingly aware of his hand on her waist, and he found that he’d enjoyed holding her far, far too much. Swallowing hard, Bentley glanced over his shoulder at the man behind the counter, who appeared slightly bewildered, as though he was uncertain what had just taken place.

Bentley felt somewhat similar.

Hattie stepped forward, leaning heavily on Bentley’s arm, and he helped her outside, Mrs. Naylor following closely behind them.

“Where is your carriage?”

She glanced down the street. “I’m assuming Agnes will direct it here.”

Bentley nodded.

“Oh, dear, look at the time. I really must be returning home,” Mrs. Naylor fretted. “I’ve yet to make my purchases.” She hesitated.

“I am in perfectly good hands,” Hattie said.

She was literally in Bentley’s hands. Something which did not go unnoticed by the older woman’s beady eyes. Was that the reason she seemed unwilling to leave?

Carriage wheels alerted them of the approaching conveyance, and it rolled to a stop just before them. Mrs. Naylor looked inordinately relieved. “Good day then, dear. Take a nice, restorative nap when you return home, and you will feel much more the thing.”

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