Page 15 of When a Duke Loves a Woman
Her lips turned up ever so slightly and there was a twinkle in her eyes. “I’m stubborn that way.”
“How fortunate I am then that it was you who came to my rescue.”
She nodded toward the bowl. “Would you care for more?”
Only then did he realize it was nearly gone. He’d been talking between bites, paying more attention to her than the food, regardless of how delicious it was. She was much more appetizing and interesting.
“Perhaps later. I don’t want to overdo it.” Besides, the effort had sapped nearly all his energy. He didn’t want her to have to spoon the pie into his mouth as though he were a babe.
Getting up, she took the bowl from him, set it aside, and returned to her chair. “Do you think you might feel up to traveling? Have you a home to go to?”
Her question took him by surprise, although on further thought he realized, living in this part of London, she probably knew a great number of people who didn’t have a shelter. “I have.”
“Your mother must be worried.”
“I doubt it. I was never her favorite.”
“I find that difficult to believe. Every child is a mother’s favorite.”
“Not in our family, I’m afraid.”
“I’m certain you’re wrong on that score. Sometimes—”
The knock on the door came loud and quick, followed by a shout. “Gillie!”
A man’s voice, an irritated man if he judged correctly. “I didn’t think you had a husband.”
“I don’t, but I do have a brother.” She was already on her feet and heading for the door. “Keep very quiet,” she tossed over her shoulder before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
Tossing back the covers, he gingerly moved his legs off the bed. Breathing far too heavily, he cursed the footpads who had left him in such a weakened state. He needed to at least get to the door, listen, and ensure he wasn’t needed to come to her aid. Although he couldn’t quite envision the most remarkable woman he’d ever met being in need of rescue.
Mick Trewlove didn’t wait to be invited in. As soon as she opened the door, her oldest brother strode boldly over the threshold as though expecting to find something amiss or some nefarious soul about who might try to stop him. Coming to a halt in the middle of the room, he glanced slowly around before finally turning to look at her. “I’ve heard you haven’t been working for a few days now. Are you unwell?”
“No. I simply wanted some time to myself.”
His eyes narrowing, he shifted his attention to the closed door that led in to her bedchamber. It took everything within her not to leap in front of him and bar his view, as though he had the power to look through wood to see what was being harbored on the other side. “I’ve been working since I was a wee girl. I didn’t think my absence would put everyone in an uproar.”
His gaze returned to her, but she could see suspicion lurking in the blue of his eyes. “I’m not in an uproar, but the others had concerns.”
“So they sent for you.” Because he was considered the oldest, even though none of them knew the exact date they were born—only the day they were delivered to Ettie Trewlove’s door. Interfering brothers, the lot of them. “That must have pleased your wife immensely, to be abandoned—”
“I’ll make it up to her when I return home, much to her delight I’m sure.” His gaze darted back over to the door. “Jolly Roger said you pop down every now and then to check on things—”
“Yes, everything’s running smoothly. He knows what he’s doing.”
“Do you?” he asked sharply, his eyes once again homing in on her, as though he were well aware she was harboring secrets.
But if he found out there was a man in her bed, it wouldn’t matter that the gent was injured or too weak to create a fuss or take advantage. Mick would see her married. Her brother cared far too much about respectability, which was one of the reasons that, two weeks before, he’d married an earl’s daughter. The other, and more pressing motive, being that he’d fallen madly in love with her. “Don’t you ever get weary of working all the time?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “What aren’t you telling me, Gillie?”
“Nothing. I’ll return to work tomorrow.” She heaved an impatient sigh. “I’ll return this very minute if you’re so bothered—”
He held up his hand. “Don’t be rash.”
“I’m not the one who burst in accusing—”
“I wasn’t accusing you of anything. I was concerned. It’s not like you to disappear for days on end—”
