There was a quality in her voice he recognized, particularly when she said the viscount’s name. She did not like him. Well, that made two of them. Robert had overheard enough of the conversation between his mother and Lady Montgomery to surmise that the consensus had been reached that Devonshire had not recognized the duke. That conclusion was blatantly false.
Robert remembered identifying himself to Devonshire. Robert also remembered the look on the man’s face. It was not a warning shot. His cousin had aimed to kill. It was fortunate for Robert that Devonshire was a poor shot. But why did he want Robert dead?
“It is a good sign you’re hungry,” Miss Mercer said, interrupting his thoughts. “I will let Winfield know. He has been very concerned. I do not think he has slept well since you were injured.” She drew the covers over his shoulders, a gesture that seemed familiar.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“The time is measured in days, not hours.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“When Scully tried to smother you in your sleep, you fought back, and your effort to fight him off opened up your bullet wound.” Her voice faltered as though reliving the trauma.
“It is over,” he said. “What has become of this Scully?”
“He is dead. You had a fever.” Her lips thinned and she turned away for a moment before continuing. “My mother and I rebandaged you. Are you aware that you talk in your sleep?”
He wanted to reach over and take her hand to comfort her. Propriety held him back. The servants in the room would spread the word that the Duke of Conclarton held the hands of a single lady who was not his fiancée, and a scandal would brew in a matter of minutes. He would not subject his lovely rescuer to such talk. A gentleman did not take the hand of a lady unless they were wed, or at the least an offer of marriage had been made.
“I am sorry. Did I say anything in my sleep that was not for a lady’s delicate sensibilities?”
Miss Mercer blushed. Then she laughed. “My mother said it was the sort of talk men said when he thought a lady was not listening.”
He grimaced. “That does not bode well. My sincere apologies. But you have me at a disadvantage, for I am unclear as to what I am apologizing for. You have me curious.”
Her blush deepened, but so did the dimples on her cheeks when her smile broadened. “And curious you will remain. It is my opinion that a man should apologize often and well.”
Robert’s laughter exploded. “Well said and true.”
“What is true?” Jeremy asked, bursting into the room, out of breath, his hat in his hand.
“Lord Dumont is here to see you, Your Grace,” Winfield announced, chasing after Jeremy. “My apologies. He was most insistent I show him in at once.”
Miss Mercer gave an awkward bow in Robert’s direction. “I should leave.” She turned to go and then paused. “I am glad you are feeling better.”
Jeremy bowed to Miss Mercer as she left then rushed over toward Robert. “Damn, Robert,” Jeremy said, going around Winfield. “I just received news this morning that you were shot. I leave you alone for a few days and bloody hell rains down. I heard you were winged and that someone tried to finish the job. Are you really on the mend?”
Robert pulled himself to a sitting position on the bed and winced. “Better than I deserve.”
“You look like the devil, but was that our Lady in Green I saw leaving?”
“The same.”
Jeremy laughed as he drew a chair beside the bed and sat down. “Well, well, I know you fancied her, but getting yourself shot is a bit extreme even for you.”
“Pardon for the interruption, Your Grace and Lord Dumont. I will see to that meal Miss Mercer requested for you, and a plate for Lord Dumont as well. The cook made a lovely venison stew, fresh baked bread, and an apple pie.”
“Yes, thank you, Winfield.”
Robert scratched his beard as Winfield left, settling in to talk to his friend. “Yes, the Lady in Green is Miss Madeline Mercer. She saved my life. Never seen the like.”
“I overheard that Lady Montgomery was with your mother for hours, crying and begging forgiveness. Might work, too. It is rumored that the Montgomeries have more blunt than the queen, and Lady Montgomery wears jewels to prove the theory. Your mother is in a state. After her conversation with Lady Montgomery, she locked herself in her rooms. Everyone fears she will cancel the Christmas Ball.”
“Cancelling the ball is not an option. She invited heiresses from America and the continent in the hopes of my brother finding a rich bride.”
“In the meantime, I’ll offer to host a ball at my estate. That will give thetona chance to find another scandal to gossip about. Since I returned, all Molly talks about is hosting a grand squeeze. She will be thrilled, and it will give your mother time to recover.”
“You are a true friend, and a fortunate man to have a wife like Molly. I do not know what to think when it comes to Lady Montgomery. She seemed innocent, and perhaps the tryst with Devonshire was an unfortunate accident, as the lady claims.”
