“My lord.” Mrs. Evans reached out and touched his hand. “We must see to Miss Bowles’ comfort. We’ll let you know when the doctor arrives.”
Gerald felt a flush creep up his neck. Had Mrs. Evans guessed something? He gave a hasty nod and left. Striding to his room, he felt a flurry of emotions churning through him. That kiss. Those lips. Those eyes. But he was all too aware of how vulnerable she was. How innocent. What made her leave her home and travel in a rainstorm on horseback to Bellwood? To him. His mind was full of questions and the haunting words that Selena had uttered in her delirium. He had to find out the truth. He had to keep her safe.
~*~
Chapter Six
After he washed and changed, he made his way to the stables. He needed to work. To keep busy. Or he would go mad. He couldn’t understand how Selena could take such a turn for the worse. Last evening, she’d seemed better, stronger. And now, she was burning with fever. And top of it all, he’d taken advantage of her. He hadn’t meant to, but he’d been so surprised by her unexpected kiss…her unexpected adulation, her sweet sensuality, that he couldn’t help himself.
Selena was longer the young girl who’d reminded him of a frightened bird. Rather, she had grown into a swan—undoubtedly the most beautiful young woman he had seen in many years. And those eyes. Those incredible eyes captivated him—drew him to her like a moth to a flame.
And her voice… then sensual, husky voice… the kind of voice that would drive any man wild, the kind of voice he would love to hear whisper “good morning” in his ear. He ran his hands through his hair in agitation.Good God! I’m an animal.The poor girl had been through a harrowing experience and cannot even recall her own name and here I am thinking about her whispering in my ear in bed!
And yet she had revealed her feelings for him. He wasn’t used to a woman causing him to blush. She said she must be … fond of him? Was she … fond of him? If so, how could that have happened? He had spent very little time with her—and their time together at her come out, all those years ago, had been a disaster.
Shame shot through him as he recalled that night. That stupid, silly bet. The memory of being caught with the cloying Lady Adamson brought a shudder. His behavior certainly couldn’t have elevated Selena’s trust in him. When she arrived last night, she had called him Lord Lawrence. Certainly, she would remember that night, too, if she regained her memory.
Gerald had worked hard for over five years to change himself and transform this estate. Suddenly, the thought of Selena possibly losing her regard for him made his chest twist with hurt. He was so lost in his thoughts, Gerald narrowly avoided knocking down a footman carrying a tray of food.
“My lord, I was just bringing a tray of bacon and egg sandwiches to you…,” the footman said. “Mrs. McDonald said you hadn’t broken your fast, yet, and thought you and Mr. Connery might enjoy these.”
“Thank you,” Gerald said, grabbing a sandwich and taking a bite. Mrs. McDonald was not only an excellent cook, she was also a jewel. He took another bite, of the delicious sandwich, not realizing how hungry he was.
“And Wells said to tell you the doctor has arrived and is with Miss Bowles.”
“Very good, I’m relieved to hear that,” Gerald said. “Ask Wells to have the doctor meet me in my study before he leaves.”
“Yes, my lord,” the footman said, bobbing his head. “I’ll see it done.”
“I’ll take those for Mr. Connery,” Gerald said, grabbing the rest of the wrapped sandwiches from the tray.
Walking into the stable a few minutes later, he noticed Connery was brushing the coat of Selena’s horse, Azure, in the stall. “Connery, I’m glad to find you here.” Gerald handed Connery the wrapped sandwiches. Gerald had already devoured two on his way to the stables.
“How is the girl?” Connery asked.
“Not well. She awoke this morning burning with fever. Baker is with her now.” Gerald rubbed his brow and then, reached out to pat Azure. “She doesn’t remember who she is. Even though she acknowledged me last night by name, when she arrived,” Gerald said.
“Let her spend time with her stallion when she gets past the fever,” Connery suggested. “It can’t hurt. And it might spark her memory.”
“You make a good point,” Gerald said.
“This stallion is clearly descended from a strong lineage. Does she remember that her father gifted her the horse?”
“Unfortunately, no,” Gerald said with a shake of his head. “It’s odd. She murmured things this morning in her fevered state—things that were either a nightmare or a horrible experience that she was running away from.”
“Whatever made her come here, she is safe, and we’ll do everything we can to help her,” Connery said.
“Yes, we will…”
Connery regarded Gerald thoughtfully as he finished eating. “But I sense there’s something else that troubles you, lad.”
Gerald shook his head. “It’s nothing. I am concerned about Miss Bowles is all.” How could he possibly tell Connery that he kissed Selena—had taken advantage of her delirious state.”
“Pardon, milord, shall I saddle Aphrodite,” Joshua, the stable boy said as he set down the basket of apples he’d been hefting.
“Nay, not at the moment. I’ll return later to take her out.”
“Yes, my lord.” The boy nodded.
