If she were anybody else, he’d think she’d taken a dose or two of laudanum.
But she hated it. Said she’d rather die than take any.
“Eve. I need you to listen to me.”
“Ummhmm…”
“Your nephew knows about the money from the bet. Jean Luc told him about it.”
“Ummhmm…”
“The money is safe, of course. But don’t make any decisions or sign anything without me? Can you hear me, Eve? I’m not so certain I trust your nephew.”
“Ummhmm…”
Niles sighed. She must be exhausted. Perhaps she hadn’t slept the night before. Or the night before that. He certainly hadn’t slept a great deal.
“Meet me in the morning after breakfast, yes?” He ran one hand through his hair. The last thing he’d expected was that Mossant had been telling the truth.
Perhaps she had given in and taken a small dose of something but that was difficult for him to believe.
“Niles?”
He’d been about to hop off the bed but turned back to see her sleepy eyes. “Yes, love?”
“Could you? Do you think you might? I never thought it possible…” Her voice sounded weak and thin.
“Could I what?” He leaned forward to hear her better. She sighed softly and closed her eyes again. Niles touched her cheek. “Could I what?”
“Love me?”
Niles swallowed hard before touching his lips to her forehead again.
“I have since I met you.” His whispered words were met by silence. Perhaps she hadn’t been so ashamed after all. But then, no. He dismissed the thought. She was out of her head with exhaustion. “I’ll see you tomorrow love. Rest up.”
Always the Money
“Mrs. Mossant? You must not dally. There’s little time to dress.” Eve didn’t recognize the nervous voice pulling her from sleep. “I’ve hot tea and something for you to eat. Mr. Mossant has requested you join him in the study in one hour.”
The words barely penetrated this fog she couldn’t seem to escape. Mr. Mossant? But Jean Luc was dead.
When had this cloying fog dropped on her? Eve tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry. So dry.
Hands pulled her to sit up and began tugging at her gown. A woman’s hands. A maid. Not Lucy. Where was Lucy? “Come this way, Missus.” The hands assisted her off the bed so that Eve stood swaying unsteadily.
Her old suite. The one she’d occupied years ago. When she’d lived with Jean Luc.
Jean Luc. That’s when the fog lowered around her. She’d been staring at his lifeless corpse contemplating the tragedy of his life. Darius had entered behind her. He’d told her she’d gone pale.
She couldn’t remember anything after that. She must have fainted.
And now she could hardly open her eyes. She’d never been one of those squeamish women. Why had she fallen apart then?
And why could she not rouse herself now?
Tea. All she needed was some tea.
Eve fought to open her eyes and took the cup from the unfamiliar maid.
