Stabs of pain shot through Gory’s head as she nodded. “Julius, I am suddenly feeling so very tired. Do you mind if I close my eyes for a while?”
“Go right ahead, love.” He reached over and helped her settle back into a reclining position. “Gory, your hands are so cold.”
She nodded. “My insides feel cold, too. I think it must be the laudanum wearing off. Perhaps I ought to sit closer to the fire.”
“Yes, you are too pale and I can feel your body trembling.”
She was trembling because he was touching her and she liked it, but she was also fatigued and losing plenty of warmth, as though a window had suddenly been thrown open to allow an icy wind to blow in and surround her. However, all the windows were tightly shut and the drapes were not billowing at all. It was just her body out of kilter. “Let me curl up in one of the big chairs beside the hearth.”
“All right, but I’ll carry you over there.” Without wasting a moment, he lifted her in his arms. He actually swept her into his magnificently manly arms, which would have been quite romantic were she not feeling ill and were he not worried that a killer was on the loose and coming for her.
“Julius, I can walk by myself. Although I would appreciate holding onto your arm for support because I might be a little wobbly.”
“I am going to carry you, and that’s an end to it.” He cast her a stubborn look. “Put your arms around my neck, Gory.”
She sighed. “You are being very apish about this.”
“I know. Put your arms around my neck.”
“Fine.” He carried her closer to the fire. She could not resist giving him a kiss on the cheek as he set her down in one of the cozy chairs. “Thank you, Julius.”
He tweaked her chin. “Any time, love.”
A sudden thought came to her. “Why don’t you get a few hours of sleep in your bed? It must be more comfortable than a chair.”
“Oh, no,” he said with obvious surprise. “It will not do to have anyone notice both sides of the bed rumpled.”
“Are you suggesting that is what would compromise my reputation?”
“Yes.” He moved to the bed, grabbed a blanket off it, and tucked it around her body. She was already wearing Adela’s nightgown and robe as well as a pair of Adela’s woolen stockings to keep her feet warm. However, these garments were still not enough to prevent the chill surging through her bones as the laudanum wore off.
It gnawed at her.
“I am already thoroughly compromised, Julius. The two of us are alone in your bedchamber, not to mention you found me in here hours ago and undressed me.” Her cheeks heated at the thought, not out of embarrassment but desire. “Completely undressed me.”
“For medical necessity,” he insisted.
“I know, but do you think anyone else will care for the reason?” She trusted Julius to the depths of her soul and knew she would always be safe with him, for he respected her and cared for her as a friend. Sighing, she continued before her feelings overwhelmed her again and she shed more tears. “The entire staff knows what has happened by now, and also knows you are spending another night – this night – with me.”
Of course, it was merely to guard her.
But who would care about the truth when the insinuations were far more juicy?
It took only one servant to gossip and that would lead to her ruination.
Even her betrothed was aware.
Was not Allendale’s reaction odd?
Despite voicing outrage earlier, he had done absolutely nothing else since. He had not even insisted on a chaperone remaining with her. Did this not prove his lack of affection for her? If Allendale insisted on going through with the wedding, it could only be because he wanted her inheritance.
Julius appeared lost in thought as he sweetly tucked the blanket around her. Was he only now realizing the potential danger to his bachelorhood?
Well, he was no fool and must have known they were compromised from the moment he found her in his bedchamber.
“I would never force you to marry me, Julius.”
He place his hands on either side of the padded arms of the chair and leaned in close. “Is that supposed to absolve me of all responsibility for your ruination?”
