The Duke and the Dressmaker (The St. James Series) by Keira Montclair Page A

hurt dreadfully. Why? What had she done to it again? Why couldn’t she remember?
    The duchess. That’s where she was going. She was going to have dinner with the duchess. She reached with her right hand and rubbed her temple. Her hair was still damp. When had she gotten her hair wet? Confusion washed over her as she plodded along. Why were people staring at her strangely?
    By the time she reached Hearthstone Manor, her mind had slowed. Her thoughts were jumbled, her movements clumsy. When she reached the front steps, she stopped and stared up to the top step. How could she possibly make it all the way up there? Turning her head, she noticed a man coming from the stables. Now he was running. In fact, he ran toward her. She stared at him. He was very handsome. She tried to put one foot on the first step, but her feet were not working right. What was wrong with her? And why would a handsome man run toward me?
    Sara collapsed into the arms of Philip St. James. He tore up the steps, bellowing for his butler. The door swung open and he barked orders at the help as he continued down the hallway.
    Philip ra ced through the door and into the sitting room. He placed Lady Downey on the divan and turned to Stevens.
    “Summon the physician, Stevens, and tell him to hurry.”
    Stevens left and Philip turned to Sara. He froze at her beauty. Her long lashes touched her translucent skin. She smelled like flowers, her scent was intoxicating. His eyes followed the creaminess in her skin down to her rosy lips. He tried to ignore her breasts as he was already hard and didn’t want to make it worse. He reined in his thoughts and reminded himself of her present condition. What was wrong with her?
    “Sara?” He jostled her shoulder, but no response . Why had she passed out? His eyes ran down the length of her right hand to her delicate fingers and then switched to her left hand.
    “What the devil?” Philip’s eyes grew as he saw the damage and the bruising to her left hand. He roared again for Stevens. His mother rushed in.
    “Philip, what is the problem? Why are you yellin g?” Mary St. James stopped in her tracks, taking in the sight in front of her. Philip’s three brothers ran in behind her.
    “Dash it, Philip, what have you there?” Adam said with a grin. “What a beauty . Can I have her?”
    “Touch her and you are a dead man!” Philip snarled at his randy brother.
    “No need to get nasty. All you have to say is that she is yours,” Graham offered.
    “She is not mine, but she is off limits to all of you ,” Philip shouted.
    Mary immediately took charge. “Philip, stop shouting and pick the girl up. Carry her up to one of the guest rooms. Has Stevens sent for the doctor?”
    “Yes, I already spoke to him.” Philip carefully gathered Sara in his arms and headed up the stairs.
    “Do you want help?” Ben asked.
    “I will take care of her,” Philip said. His mother’s eyebrows raised a notch.
    As he settled her on a chaise in the first guest room, he tucked a blanket carefully around her while his mother fixed the bed.
    “What happened, Philip?” She reached for Sara’s left arm to remove her cloak .“Careful, Mother, be wary of her hand. I don’t know what happened. I was just returning from the lake when I noticed her walking toward the front door. However, her steps were not normal, but cumbersome. I suspect she fainted when I finally reached her.”
    Sara’s eyes fluttered open. She glanced around her and started. “Where am I? What happened? Why am I here?”
    She peered at Philip and his mother as he carried her to the bed.
    “I am sorry to bother you. I will go home now. I don’t know what happened.” Sara’s brow furrowed, and she stared at Philip in confusion.
    He sat on the side of the bed and rubbed her arm as he spoke. “Lady Downey, you are not well enough to go anywhere. You fainted on your way to our front door. Clearly, you are not well. I need to ask you what happened to your hand.” Philip