She nodded.
“I will have Lady Samantha—”
A cough in the hallway had him looking to the door and then Samantha appeared, once again the lady. Her hair had been wrestled into a braid, the end tied in a matching peach ribbon to those on her dress. She had dark smudges under her eyes and looked like a gust of wind would knock her over.
“Sit down before you fall,” he ordered. Of course, she ignored him.
“How are you, Penny?”
“Better, my lady.”
“Now that is a lie. Do you feel up to travel?”
“Oh yes, I long to get back to London.”
“As do I.”
“We shall take it easy and rest when you and Penny need it,” Warwick said.
“I will help Penny dress. Please send a tray up with some food for her.”
“My lady.” He gave her a mocking bow. The tightening of her lips made him feel better. Maybe they could return their relationship to how it had been before she'd departed England.
Warwick left with Archie. He talked to the proprietor to organize food while his valet went to speak to Bids and ready the carriage for their departure.
He was seated at a table drinking tea when Samantha came down. Several of the men in the room rose to bow to her as she passed. She sent them one of her wide smiles.
“You should be resting. I thought I sent a tray up?” he said, only just managing not to snarl.
“I am well, and your Archie is sharing it with Penny. I fear the journey will be taxing on her, Warwick.”
“We have the laudanum and will stop when she requires that we do so. Now sit and eat something. You need to rebuild your strength. Did they not feed you in Ireland?”
“If I ate nothing, I’d be dead.”
He grunted. Her mouth tightened. He dropped his eyes to his plate rather than focusing on her lips.
A plate appeared before her loaded with ham, eggs, potatoes, and toast.
“I can’t eat all this.”
“Try.” He poured her some tea.
“I have not missed your bossiness.”
“I beg your pardon?” He watched as she nibbled like a bloody sparrow on a piece of ham.
Had she lost weight? He’d only just noticed how thin her wrists were.
“You heard.”
He opened the honey pot and spooned out a large dollop then dropped it in her tea.
“I am not bossy.”
She giggled. He crossed his eyes, which made her laugh hard enough to start coughing. He’d spent a great deal of his life making this woman laugh, because even as a small child she’d tugged at his heartstrings. The sad-faced, terrified young girl who he’d met deserved happiness.
“Drink your tea. It will help your sore throat.”
