Page 17 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
Chapter 5
“Enter,” Jane said breathlessly.
The door moved a few inches.“Is there aught else you need tonight?”Jenny’s voice came from the other side.
She let out a long breath.“Bring some hot water and clean towels, the salve left by the surgeon, and my sewing kit.”
“The surgeon felt stitches weren’t needed,” Shaldon said.
“Because he’s a poor hand with a needle.Or perhaps you wouldn’t hold still for him.”
“It’s true I prefer your doctoring to his.”
Her cheeks heated.Before the retching started, nodoctoringwould have taken place between them last night.Shaldon would have had her skirts up and her spinster self under him as soon as he’d reached his bed.
“Are you going to examine me, Jane?”he asked warmly.
“When Jenny returns with the water.”
He took her hand in both of his and she gulped in air.
“I must clean off the fresh blood first.”
His warm touch crept up her arm, as insidious as his hot gaze.Kincaid had whispered that this warmth, this seductiveness, was due to the laudanum.Shaldon certainly had never been amorous with her before.
And yet there’d already been whispers about her presence in his home.His children might know little of his reputation, but she’d heard the talk over the years from the first time she met him in Kent, little more than a child herself.She’d been half in love with him herself for an afternoon.
A man this handsome, apart from his wife for so long, a man like this had women whenever and wherever he wished.She might like to be one of those women, but with the Spy Lord, it could never be on her terms.His price would be far too high.
“Your assistance has been invaluable, Jane,” he said.
Her breath eased.That had been said with a bit more propriety.
“I’m glad to have been of assistance to Lady Perry.”And she could help the girl more—and her own plans.“You asked me to make the journey here to preserve Lady Perry’s reputation.However, it appears you’ve solved that problem by sanctioning her marriage to Mr.Fox.I don’t know how much more I can do for a woman of four-and-twenty.”
“And?”
“She won’t wish to be parted from him, and I don’t think it’s wise to do so.You should let Fox travel with her.”
“And what of your safety when everyone has left?”
“It will only be for a few days.”
His mouth firmed.“Would that I could stay here myself and protect you, Jane, but the King is demanding my immediate presence.”
“I see.”The King’s command was not at all surprising.After so many years ruling in his father’s stead as regent, Prinny would have his grand coronation, and an earl, even this earl, disobeyed at his own peril.
Thank heavens for that order.It would get the troublesome Spy Lord out of her way.But she must somehow make sure he left the painting at Gorse Point Cottage.If he took it with him to London, it would be ten times harder for her to steal, especially if she was delayed caring for Kincaid.
“If Fox travels with you, and if Bakeley will see to the Special License, Lady Sirena can arrange for the wedding clothes and a small celebration.You should not delay the wedding.”
A frown started between his eyebrows.
“Or, perhaps, Lady Perry and Fox can travel to Cransdall with some of your men and marry there by banns in a few weeks.”
His frown deepened.“It may be too dangerous.The men traveling to Cransdall will be carrying the painting.”
Her heart slammed into a rapid beat.
