Part 8 (1/2)
”That is a reasonable conclusion,” he chuckled and caught her hand in his. ”Why should that concern you?”
”It does not-no. I am glad to see you in possession of your senses once more.” Juliane reached across
with her free hand and laid it on his forehead for a moment.
”Ah, the fever is gone,” she smiled. ”We were very concerned.”
”While grateful for the care, I am most contrite to have caused a beauty such as you to worry.” He
winked.
”My lord,” Lady Juliane said indignantly and angrily drew her hand from his.
”Never did I observe a compliment to upset the likes of your sort. Come, what must I do for amends?”
the earl glibly asked.
”Really, my lord. You presume too much. I know not what gives you the...” She halted in mid-sentence, suddenly aware of her position. Blus.h.i.+ng profusely, Lady Juliane reached to throw back the coverlets. ”Ah, no, my beauty. Surely you mean to do more than warm my bed,” he laughed and took hold of her arm.
”You do not understand, my lord. Release me,” she gulped.
”I think I understand. You are concerned for blunt. I promise to provide a better love nest in London.”
Lady Juliane gaped in disbelief at these words. He thought her a common-a common ... She would not
think it. How infamous, and after all her nursing. Anger lit her eyes.
”You are a beauty,” he breathed and drew her closer.
”May I remind you, my lord, that you have been ill. Very ill,” she grated out.
”Then you should be very solicitous of my health and wants. The best thing for my health, now, my
beauty, would be a kiss.” He began to lie back down and drew her with him.
Juliane wildly scanned the bedside as conversation had proven fruitless. The mug of honeyed water caught her eye as he released her hands to place his on either side of her face. Tretain drew her ever closer. Juliane reached wildly for the mug. As his lips played over hers, her fingers touched the mug. For a second Lady Juliane had the wild thought of giving in to the feelings aroused by his lips. This turbulent thought she flung aside, clasped the mug firmly, and brought it down. It met the earl's head with a dull thud.
It did not knock Tretain senseless, but diverted his attention. When he clasped his head and cursed, Juliane scurried out of the bed. Circ.u.mstances completely out of control for the first time in her life, she fairly well screamed, ”Mallatt!”
CHAPTER 8.
Mallatt dropped his spoon in mid-bite at the half-frightened, half-angry scream. He and Meg strove to get up the narrow staircase simultaneously. Due to his small size, Mallatt got a leg in first. After a short struggle Meg conceded defeat and allowed Mallatt to bound up the steps first.
The valet barrelled into the bedchamber. He expected to find that Lord Adrian had thrown over his traces. Instead, he found the earl sitting up in bed holding his head and Lady Juliane angrily struggling into her wrap. It was not difficult to guess what had occurred.
Lady Juliane greeted Mallatt with a contemptuous glance that blamed him for not warning her about Tretain's pandering ways.
Meg was taken aback by this fierce. ”My lady, what is wrong?”
”Mallatt, rid my chamber of these-these people. Get them out of here. I want some explanations!”
commanded Lord Adrian.
”You just be calmin' yerself, milord. What you be meanin' upsettin' your good wife, why...”
”Wife?!”
”Meg, I think you'd best leave this to me,” Mallatt urged. ”You know the 'Quality.'” He winked at her.
”Well, I don't...”
”Never fear,” he soothed. ”I am accustomed to these outbreaks. I shall see it settled peacefully.” He
turned the woman toward the door.
Meg shot a glance at Lady Juliane. Her nod somewhat a.s.sured the farmer's wife. Glancing suspiciously at Lord Tretain's angry face and back to Juliane, who now faced the fire, she sighed.
Mallatt took the opportunity to propel Meg out the door and shut it before she could reply.