“I’m—”
“If you apologize, I will shoot you, so help me, Graham.”
He sighed heavily this time, not with pleasure and lust like before. “Amelia, this was...”
“Wonderful. I feel wonderful and beautiful.”
His focus steadied on her face. “Do you?”
“Yes. So don’t ruin it. Don’t say something foolish or prudish, or say words likedutyordishonor. Please.”
He looked at her, and Amelia leaned back farther, pushing her breasts out. They felt heavy and sensitive under his gaze, in need of attention. His eyes darkened once more, and she wanted to smile with triumph, but she wouldn’t. His sensibilities were too fragile. If startled, he’d quit and run.
He leaned over her with his weight on one hand propped on the bed and cupped her breast with the other, bending to tease the tip with his tongue, and Amelia shivered, arching into his kiss. She didn’t want this moment to end.
But then he drew back, tugging her nightgown up and over her arms and shoulders.
“Fine, I won’t say anything. It seems you already know what I would say.”
“I do, and I don’t care to hear it.”
“Then I’ll leave you to rest.”
He strode away, unlocking the door and pausing to glance back at her one more time.Reluctant to leave?she wanted to taunt, but she held back. She wouldn’t spoil this moment with sharp words either. Not when it was still so perfect. So she lay back on her side, pulling up her coverlet. Her eyes were already heavy as the door clicked shut.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Amelia slept toolong. Fran woke her, having been sent by Graham to make sure she didn’t miss this time with her brother, who was awake once more. Dr. Bradley had come at last to check in on Sam.
Amelia hurried to dress, not caring about her hair, only fixing it in a plait and heading to Sam’s room. The door was open, and her heart leaped as she heard her brother’s voice.
“How much longer?” Sam was asking as she entered.
“I cannot say, my lord. I don’t have the ability to see what is happening inside you. This is miraculous. I feel—and it pains me to say this—I am out of my scope with you. I’d like to refer you to a colleague at the medical college.
“No,” Amelia said. The three men turned to her. “No one can know, not yet, not until he is well on his way to recovery.”
“Amelia,” Sam chided, “I am, but I’d like to know what my capabilities are.”
“Rest, Sam,” Amelia said. “It has worked so far. You’ll feel better in time.”
He sighed. “I still feel weak.” He said this to Graham and the doctor. “Is that normal?”
Graham nodded and the doctor shrugged.
“Rest should help your ribs. They should heal with as little movement as possible. Bones are predictable things. They break, they mend. But you also have a wound inside your body, and I don’t know how to treat it.”
“Please explain,” Amelia drew closer and folded her arms.
The doctor sighed. “May I show her?” he asked Sam, who nodded.
Dr. Bradley folded the blanket back, revealing Sam’s chest and the frightening pattern of bruising along his side. His abdomen looked unusual to her. Like he’d been stuffed with feathers.
“You see?”
Amelia’s stomach dropped. She did see it. She’d never be able to unsee this. Sam drew the blanket back up, and she looked him in the eyes. She could see his fear. He may be awake, but they were both still bluffing with Death.
“Can you consult with your colleague without naming my brother?” she asked. “See what can be discovered? If we need to, we will meet with him.”
