“Only if they have a gun in their hands.”He chuckled, and patted the bed beside him.“Tell me all about yourself and Adam.And what has happened to that sorry son of mine?”The marquess shifted so he could see her better, and Elizabeth helped by propping pillows behind his head so he’d be elevated just a bit.
“Is that better?”
“Much better.”Lord Middlesex smiled, then said, “The last I heard from him, he was going sailing with pirates.”He drew both his brows together and reached out and squeezed her hand.“Has he lost his bloody mind?He has responsibilities and estates to run.”Lord Middlesex waved his hand in a dismissing gesture.“Well, that’s another story.Now tell me about yourself.”
Elizabeth felt hysterical laughter build within her, but she couldn’t say anything.Jonathan had gone sailing with Lafitte?Why?That tidbit of news disturbed her.Had he wanted to be reckless, maybe losing his life, or had he done it for the fun and adventure, never thinking twice about her?
Adam had refused to mention Jonathan in his posts since she wouldn’t tell Jonathan anything about herself, so Elizabeth had finally stopped inquiring.But pirates?She had assumed Jonathan was farming.Pirates?
“Elizabeth.Are you going to speak or just sit there and stare at me?”
Elizabeth smiled.She could see so much of Jonathan in his father.Of course, she wasn’t sure what Jonathan would be like today.Pirates?She just couldn’t let that news rest.Would he still be carefree?
She need not worry about things she couldn’t change, she reminded herself, so she got her mind off of Jonathan and began to tell Lord Middlesex about where they lived and what they had been doing.She skipped the part about Jonathan fighting with the Americans and his injury.That information and knowing his son was a traitor would definitely send the marquess to his deathbed.She also skipped the part about their wedding that didn’t happen.No need to get a lot of questions she wasn’t willing to answer.
Before she knew it, Elizabeth had spent the whole afternoon with Lord Middlesex, and she’d loved every minute of it.She couldn’t help wondering if she enjoyed his company because he reminded her so much of Jonathan or just that it was so different to see someone new.It was like having a small part of Jonathan here with her.
She stood up to go.“I’m sorry if I’ve overtired you.”She fluffed his pillows and smoothed the covers over him.
“Nonsense, my girl,” he said in a voice that sounded much stronger than when she’d first entered the room.“I’ve enjoyed our visit, and you must promise to come see me again.And don’t wait too long, or you may miss me.”He chuckled and winked at her, showing there was still some spirit in the old body.
Elizabeth laughed, too.“I don’t think you’re going anywhere.I’ll be back soon, I promise.”
She felt lighthearted as she hurried down the stairs.It had truly been an enjoyable afternoon.She hoped Dawson had been a good boy, she thought as she made her way to the door.
“Come back soon, Lady Elizabeth,” Jeffrey said as he reached for the door handle.“And I’ll have my eyepiece in next time.”Jeffrey opened the door for her.
I will—” Elizabeth didn’t finish her sentence.
“My, my.Fancy seeing you here,” Jonathan Hird said to an astounded Elizabeth.
This wasn’t possible!Elizabeth’s mind screamed.Jonathan couldn’t be standing in front of her.Hadn’t his father just told her he’d gone to sail with Lafitte?Maybe she should turn and ask Jeffery if he saw Jonathan, too.
“Lord Jonathan,” Jeffrey said.“It is good to have you home, sir.You remember Lady Elizabeth.”
“Unfortunately,” Jonathan clipped.
Elizabeth promptly shut her mouth.Jonathan stood before her and he looked magnificent.His skin was darkly tanned, swarthy, and his eyes were hard.He’d been good-looking before, but now he was so much more so.He seemed bigger and bolder.He fairly reeked of sensuality.
Keeping his gaze fixed on her, he asked, “What?Nothing to say for yourself?”His voice was cold and exact.
She clenched her jaw to kill the sob in her throat.“I—I was visiting your father,” she finally managed to get out.
Jonathan leaned against the railing and stared at her, taking in her appearance.She looked well and beautiful.There was a glow of innocence and promise, but he knew better than to be suckered in by that.As his gaze traveled downward, he noticed she was breathing heavily.Then his gaze rose to her stubborn chin and those damnable eyes.She flinched and retreated a step.
He wasn’t ready to deal with Elizabeth yet.He’d intended to see his father, get settled in, and get some much-needed sleep since he’d not done so in two days.He hadn’t expected to see her so soon.The problem of Elizabeth would have to come later when he informed her of his mission.
Now he stood face-to-face with her and, of course, the guilt was plainly visible in her eyes.“I hope you didn’t make my father any promises you don’t intend to keep,” Jonathan bit out as he ignored the mocking voice inside him that wondered why.
Elizabeth flinched again.She could sense the barely controlled power coiled in Jonathan’s body.“No, I did not.”She should have realized he’d still be angry, but she didn’t want to face Jonathan at the moment.As she stared at him, she realized, much to her horror, that she still loved him.She had hoped that time would lessen her love, but that wasn’t the case.The love and the hurt were still there.
If possible, he was much more commanding in appearance than he had been when she’d first fallen in love.His shoulders seemed broader, his hair a bit longer.The arrogant line of his jaw told her he wasn’t happy to see her at all.
Elizabeth simply wasn’t prepared, but she had to say something.She swallowed and moistened her lips, forcing herself to settle down.“Your father will be glad that you are home,” she said as she struggled to maintain an even, conciliatory tone.“How long have you been back?”
“I just arrived,” he stated curtly with absolutely no emotion.
This wasn’t her Jonathan.His eyes were cold, and the devilish personality that had always made her laugh was nowhere in sight.
