“I, um…” Priscilla cleared her throat and shifted from one foot to the other. Then her gaze jumped up to his face and her eyes widened. “I think that is a fine idea. In fact, I think His Grace should carry the kitten so that I can push your rollerchair.”
Before his mind formed the polite words to refuse her request, she stepped toward him and pushed the kitten against his chest. Immediately, he grasped the ball of fur to his chest, trying to keep it from scratching him the way it had Priscilla. In the process of his getting hold of the animal, his hands brushed with hers, and warmth spread through him.
She stiffened and took a step back, lifting her chin in a stubborn stance. “Now, Your Grace, don’t let the kitten get away. I don’t want to crawl around near the flower bushes again tonight.”
Speechless, Gavin switched his gaze between her and the animal still in his arms. What had Priscilla just done? She’d tricked him, that was what happened. And he had been foolish enough not to stop her. After all, he couldn’t very well tell hernowthat he was highly allergic to cats. He didn’t want her thinking him any less of a man. Then again, she probably didn’t think much of him anyway.
“Make sure to pet her,” the dowager told Gavin. “That will calm the little one so you don’t get scratched.”
Inwardly, he seethed.Pet her?He didn’t want the animal this close to him in the first place. But now he was stuck, unless…
An idea popped into his head. Perhaps he should tell the ladies that he had an appointment with his secretary. But he would be lying, and he was certain both women would discover that soon anyway.
Sadly, the truth was the only way to get out of this situation, especially because he could feel the tightness in his head andchest from this terrible allergy. Soon, it would be difficult to swallow, and it would be followed by his face and hands swelling.
He exhaled and relaxed his shoulders, glancing at the cat. The wretched thing had actually cuddled against him.Drat!
“Miss Priscilla, as much as I would like to help you, I won’t be able to take the kitten.” He stepped closer and handed the animal back. “Unfortunately, I’m allergic to felines. In fact, now that I have touched this one, I need to excuse myself to go inside and wash my hands and face, along with change my clothes.”
Her eyebrow arched as she clutched the animal. “You must be jesting. How can holding a kitten for only a few moments be that bad to make you have to wash up and change?”
He shrugged. “I cannot explain it.”
“Oh, he is correct, Miss Priscilla,” Grandmother said with a frown. “I now remember from when he was young. If he touched a cat, his whole face became swollen, and his eyes puffed up so much his mother had to place cold rags over them.”
Thankfully, the dowager backed up his story. He was doubtful that Priscilla would’ve believed him otherwise.
She nodded. “Then I suppose you should go back inside and wash up. I would hate for you to become stricken with allergies.”
“I thank you for understanding.” He briefly touched her arm before quickly turning and hurrying back to the manor. Already, he felt his forehead growing tight and his nose becoming stuffy. Hopefully, he would make it in time. If not, he was in for one very miserable afternoon.
Chapter Four
Priscilla paced thecorridor near Gavin’s bedchamber. He hadn’t been down for supper, and she was afraid to ask why. If his face and hands had swollen the way they had when he was younger, as the dowager had explained, Priscilla would know it was all her fault. She hated to feel guilty.
But shewasto blame. Right after they first met, she had heard a story of him becoming so allergic he could hardly swallow. Of course, she wondered if this had been just a story for him to make women feel sorry for him, since she had never seen an allergic reaction that bad.
Although she was still vexed with him, she didn’t want him to suffer from the allergy because of her. Generally, she wasn’t a vicious woman. But whatever it was, Gavin just made her so upset, she wanted to get back at him however she could.
Yet this wasn’t the way.
She stopped and glanced toward his door. Perhaps she should have asked the dowager about his welfare instead of coming to this part of the manor to check on him herself. This wasn’t proper at all. If he were to come out of his chambers and meet her in the corridor, that would be different. At least she could offer up her apologies then. But what if he didn’t come out? She couldn’t wait until tomorrow, when he was better. Telling him that she was sorry would help her sleep better tonight.
She twisted her hands, wishing she wasn’t so nervous. It must be done. But was it late enough in the evening that the servants wouldn’t see her? The dowager had gone to bed two hours ago, so Priscilla prayed most of the servants had retired for the evening as well.
She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath for courage. She would certainly need it, because part of her wanted to turn away and hide herself in her own chambers.
As she stepped to the door, she swallowed hard, hoping to moisten her dry throat. She didn’t want to come across as too nervous. But being too confident would make her appear insincere. Nor did she want to seem desperate to talk to him. Though, in reality, she was.
She hated feeling this way.
Her hand trembled when she raised it to knock, and the sound was like drums echoing in the corridor. She groaned. She was certain the whole house heard that. If they didn’t, they would surely hear the hammering of her heart as it whacked against her ribs.
Although she tried to listen for footsteps on the other side of the door, the pounding in her head was too loud. But if he didn’t open the door within the next few seconds, she would knock again, and harder. The servants would definitely come running then. Perhaps she should just write a note and slip it under his door.
When Gavin didn’t open the door, she wondered if he was asleep and couldn’t hear her. Now she wouldn’t get any sleep herself, because guilt would keep her awake.
It appeared a note would have to be written before she retired for the night.
