Page 62 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
“Two days, Alison.” He had both her hands in his now, and he looked at her pleadingly.
Please, let me do this.
“Two days?” she asked. “And then you’ll be back?”
“Yes,” he repeated. “I promise, with all my heart and soul. This is something Ineedto do, but I’ll be back for you because life without you is not worth living.”
“I don’t suppose they can have me wed in two days,” she said, chuckling, although he could still hear the bolt of terror behind her words.
“No,” he said, “they most definitely can’t.”
* * *
When Alison awoke the following morning, it was with an instant feeling of dread. Even though she had complete faith that Luke would return, she felt entirely alone. He had gone to find his mother, and she was left with no one.
Even Teresa was gone—even baby Benjamin—both returned to their family home with the Duke of Lentingdale. The only people left were her parents, who seemed hell-bent on her marrying a man she despised. And then there was that man himself.
Alison sat up in bed and sighed. Her hair, braided for sleep, had long become unraveled thanks to her tossing and turning, and her eyes were lined with dark circles. She tried to shake away the feelings that roiled inside her. She was stronger than this, she knew that. She could face anything she put her mind to. But still she felt a black cloud hanging over her.
When her lady’s maid entered, rattling happily, her voice a merry ring in the air, Alison groaned and let herself fall back onto the bed.
“Not feeling well today, My Lady?” Fanny asked cheerfully.
The maid was young—younger than Alison by some years—and she still maintained a spritely, gay spirit. She was petite, but the roundness of her bust made up for what she lacked in height, and her brown curls tumbled around her freckled face.
She skipped over to the window and pulled back the drapes assuredly.
“Do we have to have the drapes open?” Alison asked, squinting into the light.
“I’ll close them if you wish, My Lady, but I’m sure a little sunshine will do you the world of good. There’s a bath prepared for you. Don’t want to let the water get cold, now.”
“Can’t I just stay in bed all day?” Alison groaned again, covering her face with her hands.
“That’s no way to face the day now, is it, My Lady? A good scrub and a nice cup of tea will set you up. Do you have a preference for a gown today?”
“No,” Alison said shortly, but she did as she was bid and rose from the bed. She felt a million years old, her bones creaking thanks to her lack of sleep and the awkward horse ride the day before.
Perhaps Fanny is right. A warm bath will soothe my body, if not my heart.
“How about a nice emerald green?” She marched over to the wardrobe, pulling it open and selecting the gown she had in mind. She took it off the rack and held it up for Alison to see, smiling all the while. “I do love green on you, My Lady. Suits your complexion perfectly.”
“I suppose it will do, if it even matters.” Alison sighed. “Am I even due to see anyone today?”
“You never know who’ll come knocking at the door, My Lady. Always worth looking your best. Now, let’s get you in that bath.”
She hooked the gown on the back of the door and led Alison to the bathroom. As promised, the tub was filled with warm water, the bottom lined with cloth to prevent the cold from seeping through.
Fanny helped Alison undress, then she climbed into the tub and sank as deep as she could into the water. Fanny began to scrub her back, humming as she did so, and lulling Alison into a gentler mood.
“Thank you, Fanny,” Alison said suddenly.
“What for, My Lady? I’ve done naught but my duty.”
“You do more than that, and you know you do. Were it not for you, I would still be in bed feeling sorry for myself.”
“Pity is no good thing, My Lady. My mother always said self-pity is a road to misery. Is there something wrong, if you don’t mind my asking?”
Alison was silent for a moment, considering whether to tell Fanny everything—about Luke, about the Earl. She no doubt already knew about the Earl and Alison’s upcoming marriage, and she had no doubt already formed opinions on him. But Luke was another matter.
