“I want to go home.”
The doctor chuckled.“I’m sure you do.But not yet.It will take several days before your head stops hurting, and then you’ll be able to leave.Would you like someone to send for your maid?”
“Yes, please.”
Dr.Toogood examined the back of Elizabeth’s head.“That is a nasty cut but looks to be healing quite well.How is that brother of yours?It’s been a long time since I’ve seen His Grace in London.”
“I haven’t seen Adam in a while myself,” Elizabeth said.
“I saw Adam and Jewel before I departed for England,” Jonathan said from the end of the bed.“Adam is in high spirits, waiting for the arrival of his first child.”
“Jewel wrote that she was expecting and I was so excited for her.How did she look?”Elizabeth asked.She was surprised that Jonathan had gone to Four Oaks.She’d assumed that he’d just sailed directly to England.
“She is growing larger every day, but other than that she is fine.”
“I hadn’t heard His Grace had gotten married.But it is good to hear that he’ll have an heir,” Dr.Toogood said.He reached for his bag.“Now, Jonathan, it’s your turn to marry.Can’t spend the rest of your life roaming.”
Jonathan looked at the elderly doctor who had been with his family forever, then smiled.“There is much to be said for roaming.”
“One must give up his freedom some day.”Dr.Toogood chuckled as he placed his instruments back in the bag.“Funny, I always thought that you and Lady Elizabeth would marry.So did your father.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks heating, and she couldn’t think of anything to say.Evidently, Jonathan didn’t have the same problem.
“I’ve heard other people say the same thing,” Jonathan said nonchalantly.“However, we’re not suited.But Elizabeth will be marrying very shortly, ’’ he said.
Had Jonathan lost his mind?Maybe the carriage had struck him, too.Elizabeth couldn’t believe what he’d just said.“I will not,” she protested.
“Yes, my dear, you will.You see, Adam has bestowed upon me the task of finding you a husband.Posthaste.”
“He wouldn’t dare!”
“He would.And he did.”
“But who?”
“Someone I deem suitable,” Jonathan stated firmly, his eyes smiling into hers.“We will start the parties just as soon as you are on your feet.”
“I can see I’m not needed here anymore,” Dr.Toogood said.He chuckled.“You take care of yourself, young lady.”
“Thank you, Dr.Toogood.Maybe you should look in on my father before you leave,” Jonathan said as he walked the doctor to the door.
Elizabeth waited for the doctor to leave and Jonathan to return.Her brother had some nerve, trying to control her life when he was clear across the ocean.And to ask Jonathan to do his dirty work was absurd.She clenched her hands, and would have jumped out of bed if she’d been able.“I don’t like this one bit.”
Jonathan leaned over and looked at her.“I don’t really care what you like,” he said coldly, but his gaze was hot enough to burn.
“Jonathan Hird, if you go through with this, I promise you that you’ll regret it.”
Jonathan took Elizabeth’s chin in his hand and tipped her face upward.He gave her a mocking smile.“My dear, I already do.”
Chapter 12
Elizabeth rolled back and forth on the bed, trying to find a comfortable position, but to no avail.She was hot.She tossed half the covers off, bunched a pillow under her head, then picked up a book she’d been trying to read.She managed three pages before she tossed it aside.
She hadn’t seen Jonathan for a week.
She supposed that was for the best.If she had seen him, they would have just argued.Then again, he could at least have checked in on her.She knew she wasn’t going to die, but she had been flat on her back for a week, and she was tired of being a patient.And she was bored.
But she didn’t want to talk to him about marriage, although she’d thought about it enough.Her heart skipped a beat at the mere mention of the word, because all she could see was a vision of herself fleeing the chapel in New Orleans dressed in her beautiful wedding gown.She could imagine Jonathan’s hurt, and she’d seen the ruthless determination in his eyes.He was going to do exactly what her brother had asked him, come hell or high water, and nothing she said or did would change his mind.
