Part 4 (1/2)
”No, sir.” He stared down at Serenity's face, which was bleached with pain. In the shadow of the shallow brim of the bonnet he had obtained for her from Mrs. Bridges, he could see the angry color of the cut along her forehead. ”Serenity was the victim of a carriage accident.”
His grandfather's face became as ashen as Serenity's. ”How did that happen? Jenkins controls a carriage with rare skill.”
”Not Jenkins, Grandfather. Serenity's carriage went off the road and-”
”She was not traveling from London with you?”
Again Timothy wanted to spout his prayers backward, but he must act as calm as his supposed fiancee's name. He hated having to compound his lies with more out-and-outers. Yet this had gone too far to turn back now. ”We had planned to meet just north of York. We chanced to find her carriage overturned off a slippery section of the road.”
”Her companions?”
”Dead.” Felix stepped forward, surprising Timothy, because his cousin usually did not wait this long to become a part of any conversation between Timothy and their mutual grandfather. ”That she is alive is a miracle.”
Grandfather scowled. ”This young woman was in a carriage accident, and the two of you brought her here to jaw over formalities that could have waited until she was feeling better? Timothy, I expected better of you.”
Felix grumbled, and Timothy did not have to look at his cousin to know he was scowling. This was one thing that Timothy did find vexing about his cousin. If Grandfather complimented-or even chided-Timothy, Felix acted affronted that he was not included. Timothy could not guess why his cousin wanted to be dressed down for being a widgeon.
”Serenity has been eager to put the anxiety of her first meeting with you behind her with all due speed,” he said. That, at least, was the truth. Her fingers had dug into his arm more on every riser.
When she s.h.i.+fted in his arms and moaned softly, Grandfather said, ”See to her comfort, Timothy, and then return here. I have several matters I wish to discuss with you alone.”
”Yes, Grandfather.” As he turned toward the door, he caught a glimpse of Felix's face in the reflection of a mirror set by the windows. His cousin was glowering.
He was tempted to tell Felix that his cousin was welcome to stay here and speak with Grandfather alone. His own conversation with Grandfather was one that Timothy did not antic.i.p.ate with pleasure.
Five.
Serenity opened her eyes, but the world was still in motion. She looked up at the ceiling. It was not the painted one of the earl's parlor. What ...?
”Take care!” came a warning that echoed close to her ear.
She gasped when she realized she was being carried along a pa.s.sage. Carried by Timothy! ”Sweet heavens! What happened?”
”You nearly toppled on your pert nose in front of my grandfather.” He chuckled. ”If I had not caught you, you would have made an indelible first impression in the middle of his rug. How are you feeling?”
”Good enough to walk on my own, I daresay.”
”Do you daresay?” His smile grew tight. ”I daresay I would rather not test that on the runner in this hall.” When she opened her mouth to reply, he cut her off with, ”Here we are.”
She hunched and drew in her feet as he paused by a door, but he b.u.mped neither her head nor her toes when he pushed it open. When he kicked it closed behind them, she asked, ”Do you think that was wise?”
”What?”
”Closing the door. We are supposed to be only betrothed, Timothy, not wed.”
”I shall open the door again once you are settled comfortably. With your skittishness, you must have safeguarded your lady's virtue well.” Instantly he added, ”Forgive me, Serenity, for my thoughtless words. I should not remind you of your loss.”
”'Tis no loss, for I cannot recall anything about the lady I served.”
”That may be to your benefit now as you make yourself at home in your rooms.”
Serenity looked around the chamber that was beautifully decorated, completely unlike the plain room at the inn. Windows arched toward the distant ceiling. They were swathed in navy velvet that brushed the carpet, which was only a shade lighter. White furniture seemed to be floating on that sea of blue. Chairs were scattered about next to small tables where books were stacked. A dressing table was set beside a trio of windows where the drapes had been pulled back to allow in the faint sun's glow through the swirling clumps of snow.
When he carried her across the Persian rug set atop the carpet by the door, she bit her lip to silence her dismay. She might be a lady's maid, but even a lady's maid knew that a gentleman should not be carrying her toward a bed in a deserted bedchamber.
”Timothy, I can manage to get to a chair on my own now.”
”Your words sound more certain of that than your voice. You still have a gray tint to your face. Allow me to do the right thing.” He laughed without mirth. ”For once through this whole debacle.”
His self-deprecation dismayed her. She had most likely made the situation worse. How could she make it better? He would not want her sympathy, because that would exacerbate his remorse at lying to his grandfather.
Forcing a smile, she asked, ”You like playing the hero, don't you?”
”It seems I have no choice.” He set her on the pale coverlet atop the oak tester bed. ”You keep offering me the opportunity by threatening to swoon at the most inopportune moments.”
She let the pillows enfold her. ”I will try to recall that I should threaten to swoon only at the most opportune moments.”
With a chuckle, he leaned one hand against the headboard. ”How did you curb that tongue of yours when you were in service?”
”I don't know.”
Timothy swallowed his curse as the desolate expression stole the light from Serenity's eyes. Blast! He could not let her lighthearted jests tease him into hurting her by constantly reminding her how much had been taken from her in that accident. Not only her employers, who must have thought highly of her to have her riding in the coach with them, but she had lost her very self.
”I am sorry,” he said softly. ”Again. I fear, no matter how I try to watch my words, I will continue to say the mistaken thing.”
”You need not be sorry.” She put her hand over his on the bed. ”I appreciate all your kindnesses, Timothy. You have been a tip-top gentleman about the whole of this. I know you hate lying to your grandfather as you are.”
”It shows that much?”
She nodded.
”If he is as perceptive as you, this scheme shall be for naught.”
Pus.h.i.+ng herself up, she said, ”I promised to help you, and I shall.”
He knew he should answer, but he could not find a single word as he looked down into those silvery eyes he had never guessed he would see beyond his fantasies. His gaze slid along her slender nose to the warm curve of her mouth. It was a mouth that invited his kiss. And why not? This was the very woman he had created from his imagination. How many nights had he and Felix spent sitting in his book-room and making up details about Serenity Adams and the outings Timothy had enjoyed with her on their way to a betrothal? Egad, how would he recall the lot? Mayhap Grandfather had kept the letters. If so, he would have Branson obtain them for him.
”Let me help,” he said when she fumbled with the ribbons on her bonnet.
”Thank you.”
He bent to look at the tight knot. Prying it apart, he said, ”You have made a complete jumble of this.”
Her laugh stroked the side of his face with its warmth. As he drew aside the ribbons, she reached to lift off her bonnet. He halted her when his fingers edged slowly up her cheeks to lift it away. Her eyes widened at his presumptuous touch, and her hands settled on his. He smiled when she did not push him away. As the bonnet fell away to roll down the pillows to the coverlet, he let his fingers sift up through her sable hair. Her lips parted in the unspoken offer that had haunted his dreams, an offer that sent craving through him.
A throat cleared behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see a middle-aged woman standing in the door of what he knew was the dressing room. He was torn between laughing and cursing at his grandfather's wisdom. Mrs. Scott would be the best watchdog for any young woman in this house, for she had much experience keeping the maids and the footmen from entanglements that would create a to-do in Cheyney Park.