Page 14 of When the Marquess Was Mine
In fact, now that he thought about it, he could not actually feel his hands at all.
With monumental effort he pried open his eyes, and beheld a blur. Good God. What had happened to him? Was he blind as well as handless and paralyzed?
For the better part of an hour—in his estimation—he tried to bring his vision into focus. His eyes felt hot and sticky.Because they’ve been closed for a long time, he thought, and then wondered why, and how he knew that.
This, he realized, was no ordinary nap. Had he been drunk? This thought fell so easily into his mind, he thought it must be true—he was used to sleeping off drink. But he couldn’t shake the thought that he really had been asleep for a very long time, which made him wonder what on earth he’d drunk.
And why he couldn’t remember any of the revelry that ought to accompany a bender of this magnitude.
With another great effort he swept his gaze around the room. It was utterly unfamiliar—walls of pale green, a plain ceiling, some ordinary pictures... nothing felt right. Unsettled, he turned his head and almost screamed in pain as he looked right at the windows and the daylight hit his eyes like sharp needles.
There was a flurry of motion and noise on the other side of him. “My lord?” said a man’s voice. “Are you awake?”
“No,” he said. Moving his lips hurt; they were stiff and sore. On second thought, he didn’t want to be awake. He closed his eyes against the blinding light.
“I beg you, wake a moment longer,” said the man quickly. “Are you still in pain?”
Still. “Yes,” he croaked, suddenly more aware of the aches that seemed to pulse from his bones. “Who are you?”
“Daniel Elton, Your Lordship, a doctor. Lady Winston sent for me when you were found.”
Elton? Winston? He didn’t know anyone by those names. Where was he? Why was he here? He ought to be...
The first real feeling of unease prickled his neck.Whereought he to be? He wasn’t sure. This was not his bedroom, not his own house—he thought—so where was he?
“Lord Sterling... Lord Sterling,” that man was saying, louder and louder. “Can you hear me?”
Yes. He nodded.All too well. Please shut up.
There was a flurry of more noise; the doctor’s voice resumed, although he didn’t pay attention. But then there was a new voice, hushed and shocked... a woman’s voice. He forced up his eyelids again.
Things came into focus a bit better this time. Elton turned out to be an older fellow with bushy gray hair and spectacles on his long, large nose. He was beaming and leaning over the bed. “Ah, see, he’s awake!” Elton turned and motioned with one arm. “Come, my lady.”
And a young woman came into view.Beautiful, was his first thought. Golden-blond curls straggled out of the knot atop her head, and she gazed at him with wide green eyes. Her pink lips were parted in astonishment. Who was she?
As pleasant as it was to wake up to the sight of her, it was beginning to alarm him that he was surrounded by strangers.
“She must be a comforting sight,” Elton went on jovially. “She has been at your bedside the entire time, Lord Sterling.”
“No—” The woman bit her lip, and set down the tray in her hands. She came closer, although she looked half frightened to death. “How are you feeling, sir?”
“Not my finest,” he said. God, he still sounded drunk. What had happened to him? “Where am I?”
“Why, at—” began the doctor.
“Dr. Elton!” He winced at her exclamation. She gentled her tone. “Would you be so kind as to allow us a moment alone? His Lordship must be tired and—and perhaps a trifle bewildered after his ordeal...”
What ordeal? He frowned, even though that caused the skin of his face to pull painfully.
“Of course, ma’am,” said the doctor after a pause. “I shall speak to the cook about some broth for Lord Sterling.”
“Yes, brilliant!” she said quickly and a bit loudly. Her green eyes flickered to him, then away again. It struck him that he must look dreadful. “Thank you.”
“Wait,” he said, trying and failing to raise his hand. “What happened?”
“You were waylaid by thieves,” said the woman at once. “You suffered a terrible beating. I think you should stay calm and easy. There will be plenty of time to discuss it when you’re more recovered.”
He jerked in shock. “Thieves?”
