Adrian turned back to Priscilla. “You look too weak to walk. Can you put your arm around my neck so I can carry you?”
The younger woman nodded and slipped her arm around his shoulders. He lifted her, and Lyndsey assisted. His gaze met the panicked eyes of the older sister.
“Should we call for a physician?” he asked.
Lyndsey attention jumped between him and her sister. The poor girl’s face grew paler by the second, but her cheeks were bright red.
“Yes, I think we should.” Lyndsey touched his shoulder and whispered,thank you.
He answered with a nod and proceeded to carry her sick sister up the stairs. Gilbert was just leaving one of the guest rooms, and he motioned toward it. As Adrian passed the butler, he instructed, “Summon the physician immediately.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Both Mrs. Sinclair and Lyndsey took Priscilla from his arms and helped her to the bed. He stood back, not knowing what to do next. He should leave, but seeing the worry on Lyndsey’s face made him anxious to know if the younger sister would be all right.
The housekeeper poured water from a pitcher into the basin before soaking a wash cloth and wringing it out. She took it to Priscilla and dabbed the cloth on her head. The older woman glanced across the bed at Lyndsey and frowned.
“She has a high fever.”
Priscilla groaned and turned her head on the pillow. Her body shook with chills. Mrs. Sinclair pulled back the quilt and then covered the girl. Lyndsey sat on the edge of the bed, holding her sister’s hand.
“You’re going to be all right,” Lyndsey said sweetly. “Lord William has sent for the physician.”
Helplessness swept over him. He wanted to help in some way, but he didn’t know what was proper. Although, being in the room with them was probablynotproper at all. And yet, he didn’t want to leave.
He stepped closer to Lyndsey and touched her shoulder. Her big blue eyes flicked up to meet him. “What can I do?” he inquired.
She gave him a sweet smile. “You have done enough by bringing her up here and sending for the doctor. I... don’t know how to repay you for your kindness.”
His heart leapt at her tender expression. He couldn’t stop himself this time, and he caressed her soft cheek. “I do not require payment, my dear sweet Lyndsey. Getting your sister to feel better and having your gratitude is payment enough.”
She reached up and removed his hand from her cheek, but held onto his fingers longer than necessary. She squeezed them affectionately before finally pulling away.
He met Mrs. Sinclair’s curious stare. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, my lord. I have it in hand, I assure you.”
That was his cue to leave. Grudgingly, he stepped toward the door, hoping that Lyndsey would call him back. But she didn’t. Her attention had returned to her sickly sister.
Adrian left, closing the door behind him. He stopped at the railing on the stairs and hooked his fingers around the edge. He listened for sounds of his brother, but all he heard was the murmuring of voices between Mrs. Sinclair and Lyndsey.
His heart softened as he recalled how Lyndsey’s pretty eyes had shone with appreciation just now. Although he felt helpless because he had no idea what to do for Priscilla, happiness leapt inside of him, knowing that Lyndsey was slowly forgiving him.
Surprisingly enough, he hadn’t thought of anybody else since the adorable woman had entered his life. As much as he felt he knew her well enough, he still wanted to learn more. He wanted to make friends with her father and sisters, and he wanted to know what Lyndsey did every second of her day. He especially wanted to know if he was on her mind too, or if she still aspired to become the Countess of Hanover.
The click of the door closing behind him, make him swing around to see who’d come out. Lyndsey walked toward him. The tender look in her eyes made his pulse quicken.
She stopped in front of him and grasped one of his hands. His heart jumped to his throat. He lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.
“Adrian, I want to thank you again for allowing my sister to lie down. But Mrs. Sinclair says Prissy’s fever is getting higher. I fear we might not be able to move her when it’s time to leave.”
“There’s absolutely no need to do that. She’ll stay here until she is well.” He kissed her knuckles again, slower this time, loving the softness of her skin against his lips.
“I thank you, Adrian,” she whispered. “But I should send word to my father.”
“Allow me,” he said quickly, wanting to do anything that would make her happy.
Nodding, her smile grew. “You don’t know how much I appreciate your help.”
