Jonathan laughed at the truth.“That I well know.”
“If you don’t mind me saying so, you look like the devil, son.When is the last time you slept?”
Jonathan massaged the back of his neck.“I believe it was two days back.I’ve been traveling and have only just arrived.”
“Then I suggest you leave Mrs.Roby to sit with poor young woman, and you get some rest before you collapse,” Dr.Toogood suggested on his way out.“I don’t want to have to come here again today.Mrs.Roby will be back in a moment.”
When Mrs.Roby returned, Jonathan followed the doctor’s advice.He instructed her to get him if anything should happen, then he proceeded to take a long-needed bath.
In no time he was relaxing in a tub of hot water.He sighed as he laid his head back against the rim.His weary bones seemed to melt into the water; after a while the tension in his shoulders eased, and he began to feel better.
Since he’d returned from sea, nothing had gone as he planned.At the moment, he felt as if he were caught in a whirlwind and unable to control anything, especially his destiny.Whatever that might be.Perhaps he was just tired and could think more clearly after he’d rested.But sleep would have to wait a bit longer, he decided.He climbed out of the tub and dried off.
After he’d dressed, he went into his father’s study where he quickly scanned the ledgers of their estates.He knew his father hadn’t been up to snuff and probably hadn’t looked at the books for a while.When Jonathan closed the last book, he realized he would have to spend a good bit of time straightening everything out.The books were a mess.
By the time he shoved the chair back and stood, it was late.He stretched, then rubbed the back of his neck as he climbed the steps to his room.His head felt like a lead ball—it was taking a lot of effort to hold his head upright.
He entered his room and nodded for Mrs.Roby to leave.He would stay for a few minutes and give her a break from caring for Elizabeth.
Glancing down at Elizabeth, Jonathan couldn’t stop himself from touching her cheek and caressing her skin.It felt like satin beneath his fingertips.She didn’t feel warm, so he doubted she had a fever, yet he would have thought that she would have awakened by now.Earlier, he’d sent a message across the street to Trent House that Elizabeth had been injured and probably wouldn’t be home.
Evidently, Annie wasn’t in residence or she would have come over posthaste.Jonathan gave Elizabeth a speculative glance.What was she doing in London?He knew how much she hated city life.Had she come just to see his father?
Jonathan did know she hadn’t expected to see him.That had been evident from her shocked expression.Wait until he told her he was here to find her a husband.He would probably receive more than a look.
Suddenly her breathing changed.It seemed labored, heavy.He became anxious.What if Elizabeth died?
He moved the chair closer to the bed and sat down.“Everything will be all right,” he muttered fiercely.
Reaching over, he took Elizabeth’s hand in his and held it.Ironically enough, her breathing returned to normal.Perhaps she was frightened, he thought.
He rubbed the back of her hand and gazed at her face.Her cheekbones were delicate and pink.Sooty black lashes rested on her cheeks.His gaze traveled past full lips to her small but stubborn chin, and he wondered where they had gone wrong.He would never forgive her for the hurt she had caused him.A man’s pride and his word were all that he had.
Again, Elizabeth gasped for air, and he tightened his grip on her hand as terror built inside him.“Don’t you die on me, Elizabeth!”he demanded as if she could hear him.“Don’t leave me again.We have some unfinished business, and I won’t let you die until we’re done.Do you hear me, Elizabeth?”
When she’d settled again, he brushed his lips across her hand then breathed a sigh of relief.He would hate her tomorrow, but tonight he’d give her his support.
And then as an afterthought, he looked up.“Please don’t let her die,” he prayed.
Because if Jonathan knew Elizabeth, she would die just to spite him.
Unable to hold his head up any longer, Jonathan laid it on the soft blankets.Just for a moment until Mrs.Roby returned, he told himself, but sleep soon claimed him.
Sometime in the early morning, he woke with a terrible catch in the side of his neck, and his back was killing him.He stood and stretched, trying to get some of the kinks out of his body.
He felt Elizabeth’s forehead again, and found it still cool to the touch.Her breathing appeared normal.She twisted her head away from his touch and murmured, “Dawson?”
It was a good sign, Jonathan thought.It was the first time she’d moved.But why did she call out Dawson?His father’s first name was Dawson, but Elizabeth wouldn’t refer to his Christian name.So just who was this Dawson?A lover?Jonathan frowned.He needed some rest, but all he really wanted to do was shake Elizabeth and ask some questions.
Jonathan looked down at Elizabeth’s sleeping form.It was apparent that he wouldn’t have his answers now.He’d have to be patient.He summoned Mrs.Roby, then made his way to a spare bedroom where he didn’t even bother to undress.He simply sprawled across the bed.Maybe tomorrow Elizabeth would be better and out of his house.
She had to be.
Elizabeth openedher eyes and blinked several times before the world came into focus.Her eyes hurt.Her head ached.As a matter of fact her entire body felt as if she’d been beaten.
She turned her head.A stabbing pain shot through her so suddenly that it brought tears to her eyes.She moaned.What had happened?
“Where am I?”she asked the empty room.
