Page 17 of To Win a Viscount's Heart
Gerald raked his hands through his hair in agitation when another groan brought his attention back to Selena.
“He locked me in my room… That demon. Percival…”
Tears flowed, from her closed eyes, wrenching Gerald’s heart.
“Selena, you’re having a bad dream. I’m here,” he said, taking her hand in his.
Selena whimpered.“…so dirty. He kissed me. Couldn’t breathe. Said vile things…Maman, I’m so sorry,”she cried.
Dear God, what have you been through? And who’s Percival?
The gut-wrenching pain coursing through him was only surpassed by the burning anger he felt at what Selena had suffered at the hands of this bastard named, Percival.
And then Gerald recalled his mother’s letter. She’d informed him that the late Viscount’s solicitors had taken months to track down the heir—a cousin by the name of Percival Bowles. He’d been a first officer aboard a merchant ship. The man was clearly a brute.
He reached out and caressed her cheek, it was burning with fever.
“Selena, you’re safe, my darling. I’m here. I’ll protect you. I promise.” He wished his parents were there. They might know what had led to this horrific situation.
“Selena…please, open your eyes,” he rasped, caressing her cheek. “You are safe. Everything will be fine, I promise.”
Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked at him, her translucent eyes burning with fever. “It’s y-you,” she whispered. “Y-you’re here. You were there…in the storm. S-so kind…so noble. You helped me…I’m so l-lucky. So lucky to have you…”
Gerald swallowed, at the revelation. Fever or no fever. “Was she referring to her status as his betrothed? This young woman had ridden in a rainstorm to the point of exhaustion and fell at his feet from her horse. He would have been a complete cad if he hadn’t helped her. “Many people would have helped you.”
“But I needed you,” she said in a broken voice. “I came here for a reason—even if I d-don’t know why…”
He wished he knew why, too. He surmised it had to do with that bastard, Percival, but he needed to know everything. My God, he was desperate to know what Selena had gone through. And when he did, he would deal with Percival Bowles. But at present, he had far more pressing worries than her lack of memory—with this raging fever, he feared for her very life.
He bent closer to bathe her forehead and was taken aback by her sudden movement, as she grasped his shirt and tugged him down to kiss him.
Her lips were soft and vulnerable and heated from her feverish state. Gerald’s mind swirled as she pressed her lips against his. Her guileless, fumbling feverish kiss, and the soft moan that escaped her were his undoing. Her innocently innate passion and the look in those beautiful blue eyes mesmerized him, and he abandoned his good sense. Uttering a helpless groan, he pulled her up against his chest, wrapping his arms around her, and deepened the kiss.
He was lost. Lost in the pure bliss of kissing Selena. His hands moved up and down her slender back, her nightgown was damp and plastered to her body like a second skin. She felt like heaven. He could not believe he’d ever thought her skinny.Her petite frame was deliciously formed with curves that fit his hands perfectly. Her breasts, pressing against his chest, made him feel as feverish as she was.
“I love you, Gerald,” she said in a breathy voice, and it was like a bucket of cold water splashed in his face.
What am I doing? She’s a complete innocent, he reminded himself.And I’m acting like a complete cad!Selena was injured and feverish. Worse…he knew she didn’t know what she was doing. Hell, she couldn’t even remember who she was. Not to mention, Mrs. Evans would be rushing into the room at any moment.
“I’m so sorry, love,” he pulled back and gently set her back down against the pillows.
“More kissing,” she whispered, a half-smile on her lovely lips, her eyes were closed as though she were dreaming. “Love your k-kisses. Love you…”
Oh God! She didn’t even know what she was saying. Gerald couldn’t help but smile at her impishness. The girl was burning with fever and delirious and here she was flirting with him, making feverish declarations of love.
“I love kissing you too. But it will have to wait. You need to get better.” He kissed his index finger and touched her lips just as a knock sounded on the door.
Blowing out a breath, he tucked the blankets around Selena’s shoulders and stood to open the door.
“My lord, my apologies, I was in the kitchen helping Cook when Anna found us and told us everything,” Mrs. Evans said as she bustled into the room with the young maid. “Rest assured, I sent young Joshua to fetch the doctor. That boy is faster than a fox on a hunt.”
“Cook and I prepared a mustard poultice and willow bark tea to help bring down the fever.”
“Good. Very Good.” Gerald rubbed the back of his neck, stepping out of the way as Anna set a tray next to the bed.
“Cook has a hearty breakfast ready for you and some good strong coffee,” Mrs. Evans told him.
“My thanks, Mrs. Evans.” He glanced at Selena, reluctant to leave.
