Page 35 of Wicked Rivals
“Thank you, Jon. I appreciate that. I’ll see you both in a few hours.” He bid them good night, but stopped them as they left. “Jonathan? What sort of injuries did he suffer? Is it serious?”
“Just his arm, I believe. He said he landed on his shoulder.”
Ashton nodded and quietly closed the door. He was halfway back in his bed next to Rosalind when a thought struck him.
Rafe riding out in the storm…with an injured arm.
His gaze shot to Rosalind, and he recalled what she had said about a highwayman who’d looked like him. The one she’d shot in the arm.
Hellfire and damnation!
If Rafe had done something so daft and foolish to pad his pockets for the gambling hells…
I’ll bloody kill him!
Ashton was temporarily lost in thoughts of getting his hands on his wayward brother until a soft little sound from her caught his attention. Strangling Rafe would have to wait until morning. He had more important matters to attend to.
He eased back onto his bed, lying close to Rosalind, but unable to justify taking her hand again, not when she was burrowed so deep beneath the warmth of the blankets.
“Sleep well, my wicked rival, so we might fight again tomorrow.”
*****
Rosalind had the most peculiar dream.
She was lying in bed with a man, held close against his long, lean muscled body, his warm breath stirring her hair as he breathed deep and slow. It was a strange and wondrous feeling to lie so close to a man she’d been battling in business for months and feel so protected.
Her husband had always kept a separate chamber for sleeping and only visited her bed once a week; then after a sweet kiss goodnight, he’d leave her to sleep alone. It was an older custom, one more suited to noble classes, but she understood that Henry wished to let her have her privacy when they weren’t together. It had been sweet, but then again, Henry had been a wonderful man. A safe harbor from the storms of her past.
But this…this was a lovely dream. She’d heard Emily and her friends speak about the joys of sleeping so close to a man for the entire night.
I mustn’t let such stories fill my mind before sleep.
Sure enough, when she opened her eyes, there was no man beside her. Morning light cut through the half-closed curtains. Just beyond the windowpanes she caught a glimpse of flowering trees with white blooms. She smiled. Springtime was always full of magic with the warm sun, the heady scent of flowers and green everywhere. It was as though the world could go on forever, with days that never ended and dreams that seemed tangible enough to touch.
Birds chattered in the leafy branches, wild and excited the way birds usually did following a harsh storm. Storm… The memory of the previous night jolted her awake, her heart pounding.
“Good heavens!”
This was not her bed. This was not her room.
She fell back against the pillows as she recalled the wild series of events that had left her in Ashton’s bed wearing a borrowed nightgown.
The door to the dressing room opened a moment later, and Ashton strode in, fully dressed and looking far too pleased with himself. His valet trailed behind, carrying a recently pressed cravat.
“Save that for this evening, Lowell. I’ll be out in the fields today.” He shot a look her way. “Good, you’re awake. I shall be working to clear away some burned farmhouses if you wish to join me.”
“You want me to go with you?” That surprised her. She assumed that he wouldn’t want to be near her. Not after last night. A wet, bedraggled creature who’d shared her weaknesses? It was not her finest moment and certainly not her most attractive one.
The smile that curved his lips pricked her pride. “What else would you do all day? Mope about? Rosalind, you aren’t the sort of woman to remain idle during the day. So what’s it to be?”
The idea of spending a day indoors with nothing to do wasn’t at all appealing. But did she want to spend time with Ashton? She supposed she ought to given the ruse they’d agreed to play. And she supposed it would be interesting to see what he did most of the day.
Rosalind blinked. When had she become interested in Ashton’s daily life? Yet she was—and far more than idly curious. It wouldn’t hurt to indulge that curiosity while she played the part of a courted lady.
“I suppose I could accompany you…for appearances’ sake.”
The damnable man was still smiling. “Excellent. Your maid Claire just arrived with your coach. She’s eaten and is ready to assist you. Have a quick breakfast, and then we shall ride out.” He took the coat Lowell held out and strode to the door.
