He huffed in disbelief. “You’re speaking to me just fine.”
“You’re different.”
He raised a brow. “I’m different? How so?”
She chewed her lip, and Sam wished she were closer so he could tug the abused flesh free and make her answer. Her opinion on this was important to him. If she could spend hours conversing in his room, he couldn’t see how she could be too shy to debut.
“Come up here. I don’t like sitting above you like some sultan.” Or maybe he did, but the images were too erotic, and he banished them immediately.
“Up there? One the bed?”
She blushed again, and he smirked. “You’ve done it before. Don’t be shy now. We must do more exercises.” He wanted her closer. Besides, if it was experience she lacked—conversation, proximity to men—he could fix that. Had her parents simply sheltered her too much?
She stood and set her embroidery aside. His door opened, and in walked Dr. Bradley, followed by Mr. Chase. Sam fell back against his pillows and folded his arms.
“Look who I found,” Mr. Chase said.
“What a coincidence,” Sam said dryly.
“Dr. Bradley, this is Mr. Blakewood’s sister, Miss Blakewood,” Sam said.
“How do you do, Miss Blakewood?”
“I’m quite well, thank you,” she answered, her voice soft and dulcet. Like watered-down tea with too much sugar. Different from how she’d spoken seconds ago.
“We’ve already met,” Mr. Chase said as he came to stand next to her. Sam bit back a growl. If she was inexperienced in deciphering people’s true intentions, then Mr. Chase should stay away from her.
“Where is Miss Smith?” Mr. Chase asked.
Sam shrugged. “Not here.”
Mr. Chase frowned and went to the bell pull and gave it a tug. “She should be.”
“I hardly have need of a nurse.”
“Say that when you can,”—he cleared his throat as he spotted Daisy again—“when you can walk.”
Dr. Bradley lifted his head out of his bag. “You can’t walk?”
Sam groaned. “I can. If I am allowed out of this bed. Amelia is under the impression any physical activity beyond eating and sleeping will kill me.”
Dr. Bradley chuckled. “I’m sure it’s a form of affection.” He turned to Daisy. “My dear, if you would please step out while I examine his lordship?”
“Yes, doctor.”
“I’ll keep her company,” Mr. Chase said, following her to the door.
“You will stay,” Sam ordered. “How else will you know if you’re being told the truth if you wait in the hall?”
Mr. Chase paused and squinted at Sam. “I’ll know.”
Miss Smith appeared at last.
“The doctor is here,” Mr. Chase said, eyeing her as she passed him.
She nodded and went to the doctor’s side.
Daisy was now out of sight, and Mr. Chase closed the door. Sam ground his teeth and began counting the seconds she was alone in the hall with Mr. Chase.
