another
dizzying wave of pain sweep over her, so fierce it caused her teeth to clench
and her hands to ball into small fists on top of the quilt. She heard Devlin
murmur something, and then a warm cloth was pressed gently on her forehead.
“This
should help with the headache,” he said quietly.
Opening
her eyes, Sarah turned to face him, focusing on his worried blue eyes as he
leaned over her, his hands braced on either side of her body. “Why are you
being so… so nice to me?”
Devlin’s
broad shoulders lifted and fell in a quick shrug. “Because I was rude to you before.
On both occasions,” he admitted with a wayward smile that did something
sinfully delightful to her insides.
Holding
the warm cloth in place – it did feel quite good – Sarah leaned up on one
elbow. Obliging as a well trained nurse Devlin automatically fluffed a pillow
to put behind her shoulders and she sagged against it gratefully. “You were
rather rude,” she said shyly, lowering her gaze to the flower pattern sewed
into the quilt.
“Which
is why I shall do my best to make up for it now. Is there anything else you
need? A glass of water? Something to eat?”
Embarrassingly
cognizant of her damp dress and tangled hair – her cloak and hat must have been
lost somewhere along the way – Sarah nibbled on her bottom lip as she thought
of the best way to phrase her next question.
“I
can have a maid draw up a bath for you,” Devlin said, his smile turning rather
impish as Sarah blushed. “And find a change of clothing as well. Arrangements
have already been made. You can stay here for as long as you wish.”
Her
eyes flew to his in startled alarm. “Oh, no, I could not impo—”
“You
are not fit to leave this room, let alone walk home. Not to mention, we are in
the midst of a snow storm.”
“A…
A snow storm?”
There
was an undeniable hint of smug satisfaction in Devlin’s tone as he crossed the
room and drew back the curtains.
Sitting
up a little straighter and squinting, Sarah could just make out a flood of
white falling with alarming intensity from the sky. Everything in sight was
covered; the roads not even clearly visible. Traveling home, even if she did
not have a pounding headache, would be nigh on impossible until the weather
cleared.
Her
shoulders drooping in defeat, Sarah sagged back against the pillows. “I suppose
a hot bath would be very nice.”
Leaving
the curtains open, Devlin turned to face her and crossed his arms, a faint
smile capturing the corners of his mouth. “I will have one readied for you
immediately.”
Not
trusting the mischievous glint in his eye, Sarah said, “Of course it will be a
very private bath.”
“Of
course,” he agreed readily.
“And
the change of clothing…”
“You
will have your choice of nightgowns and robes.” At Sarah’s raised brow, he
chuckled. “Very high necked nightgowns and robes fit for a grandmother.
Not to worry. You shall be covered head to foot. I can assure you, Lady Dawson,
I am not as much of a scoundrel as you seem to think I am.”
Saying
nothing, Sarah merely pursed her lips.
“Well,
perhaps I am a bit of a scoundrel. But nothing the right woman could not fix.”
On that rather enigmatic note, the Viscount left the room. Through the closed
door Sarah heard him requesting hot water to be drawn and the claw foot tub in
the corner of the master bedroom, half concealed by a silk screen, to be
filled.
Telling
herself she would only doze until it was ready, Sarah closed her eyes… and fell
instantly asleep.
When
she woke the room was dark save the flickering light that danced out from a
fire someone had started in the hearth. Staring at the flames helped Sarah
remember where she was, for her family was not so wealthy they had fireplaces
in every room, let alone the master bedroom.
The
throbbing in her skull had subsided to a dull ache, and when she gently touched
the lump on the back of her head she was relieved to discover it had
dizzying wave of pain sweep over her, so fierce it caused her teeth to clench
and her hands to ball into small fists on top of the quilt. She heard Devlin
murmur something, and then a warm cloth was pressed gently on her forehead.
“This
should help with the headache,” he said quietly.
Opening
her eyes, Sarah turned to face him, focusing on his worried blue eyes as he
leaned over her, his hands braced on either side of her body. “Why are you
being so… so nice to me?”
Devlin’s
broad shoulders lifted and fell in a quick shrug. “Because I was rude to you before.
On both occasions,” he admitted with a wayward smile that did something
sinfully delightful to her insides.
Holding
the warm cloth in place – it did feel quite good – Sarah leaned up on one
elbow. Obliging as a well trained nurse Devlin automatically fluffed a pillow
to put behind her shoulders and she sagged against it gratefully. “You were
rather rude,” she said shyly, lowering her gaze to the flower pattern sewed
into the quilt.
“Which
is why I shall do my best to make up for it now. Is there anything else you
need? A glass of water? Something to eat?”
Embarrassingly
cognizant of her damp dress and tangled hair – her cloak and hat must have been
lost somewhere along the way – Sarah nibbled on her bottom lip as she thought
of the best way to phrase her next question.
“I
can have a maid draw up a bath for you,” Devlin said, his smile turning rather
impish as Sarah blushed. “And find a change of clothing as well. Arrangements
have already been made. You can stay here for as long as you wish.”
Her
eyes flew to his in startled alarm. “Oh, no, I could not impo—”
“You
are not fit to leave this room, let alone walk home. Not to mention, we are in
the midst of a snow storm.”
“A…
A snow storm?”
There
was an undeniable hint of smug satisfaction in Devlin’s tone as he crossed the
room and drew back the curtains.
Sitting
up a little straighter and squinting, Sarah could just make out a flood of
white falling with alarming intensity from the sky. Everything in sight was
covered; the roads not even clearly visible. Traveling home, even if she did
not have a pounding headache, would be nigh on impossible until the weather
cleared.
Her
shoulders drooping in defeat, Sarah sagged back against the pillows. “I suppose
a hot bath would be very nice.”
Leaving
the curtains open, Devlin turned to face her and crossed his arms, a faint
smile capturing the corners of his mouth. “I will have one readied for you
immediately.”
Not
trusting the mischievous glint in his eye, Sarah said, “Of course it will be a
very private bath.”
“Of
course,” he agreed readily.
“And
the change of clothing…”
“You
will have your choice of nightgowns and robes.” At Sarah’s raised brow, he
chuckled. “Very high necked nightgowns and robes fit for a grandmother.
Not to worry. You shall be covered head to foot. I can assure you, Lady Dawson,
I am not as much of a scoundrel as you seem to think I am.”
Saying
nothing, Sarah merely pursed her lips.
“Well,
perhaps I am a bit of a scoundrel. But nothing the right woman could not fix.”
On that rather enigmatic note, the Viscount left the room. Through the closed
door Sarah heard him requesting hot water to be drawn and the claw foot tub in
the corner of the master bedroom, half concealed by a silk screen, to be
filled.
Telling
herself she would only doze until it was ready, Sarah closed her eyes… and fell
instantly asleep.
When
she woke the room was dark save the flickering light that danced out from a
fire someone had started in the hearth. Staring at the flames helped Sarah
remember where she was, for her family was not so wealthy they had fireplaces
in every room, let alone the master bedroom.
The
throbbing in her skull had subsided to a dull ache, and when she gently touched
the lump on the back of her head she was relieved to discover it had
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