“Well, I think we should adjourn to the other room,” Ashton said quickly.
Nicole held her breath as she glanced at the clock again. No! It was still too soon. She must stall them somehow. Yet it was too late. The men were already standing.
She lifted her glass of wine to take one last sip when an idea hit her. It was the only thing that would stall them a few more minutes.
After she swallowed the wine, she started choking. Laying on the dramatics, she clutched her throat and met Ashton’s wide-eyed stare. Hitting her chest a few times, she tried to make it appear that she needed help.
“She can’t breathe!” Mrs. Browning exclaimed hysterically.
“Pound on her back,” Glynn said in a rush.
Immediately, Ashton was beside her, doing what the others had told him. She sagged against him, hoping to create a more helpless charade. She had to admit that holding her breath was getting more and more difficult to do, especially with them all watching her. There was only one other thing she could do. Closing her eyes, she went limp in Ashton’s arms.
High, panicked voices from the others echoed in the room. Ashton cursed and gently laid her on the floor.
“Nicole. Look at me,” he demanded. “Open your eyes and look at me!”
“Blow in her mouth,” Mrs. Browning said, her voice sounding closer than before.
“Perhaps elevating her head will help,” Glynn suggested nearby.
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Nickerson,” Steve snapped. “Elevating her will only make it worse.”
“Is she still breathing?” Mrs. Browning practically yelled. “Ashton put your fingers to her throat and feel if she has a pulse.”
Within seconds, Ashton’s fingers pressed against Nicole’s neck, and warmth spread through her. It was all she could do not to shiver from his touch.
“I still feel a pulse,” he answered almost in sigh.
“How did you know to do that, Miss Browning?” Steve asked in wonder.
“I volunteered as a nurse at the hospital during the war.”
“People, please!” Ashton said in a worried voice. “Help me with Nicole.”
“Blow in her mouth,” Mrs. Browning repeated.
Nicole remained relaxed as Ashton pulled her mouth open. Seconds later, his lips touched hers. Although this wasn’t a passionate moment, it was hard not to moan in happiness. But when he blew into her mouth, she couldn’t keep up the pretense any longer, and she coughed.
“Thank the Lord,” Ashton muttered softly as he laid his forehead against hers.
“Is she all right?” Glynn asked.
Blinking her eyes open, she stayed in character. She hadn’t realized how close everyone was. She took a deep breath and met Ashton’s gaze. His relieved expression let her know he—out of all of them—was the most worried. Guilt weighed in her mind, and she wanted to apologize for putting him through that, but it was the only thing she could think of to do at the moment. Hopefully, he would never have to know she was feigning it the whole time.
He brushed his knuckles along her cheek. “How do you feel, my sweet Nicole?”
“Better.” She took another deep breath and struggled to sit.
Ashton’s hand on her shoulder kept her on the floor. “Not yet. Take another couple of deep breaths first. I want to ensure you are well enough before we have you rise.”
She nodded and followed his instructions. There was so much sweet emotion coating his eyes that it made her heart lurch. Even his voice was enhanced with care.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
The others had stood and were now chatting with one another. She couldn’t be sure what time was on the clock now, but she was certain she didn’t have to stall them any longer. Hopefully, her brother had searched through Ashton’s study and was out of the house by now. If not, she would have to think up something else to do to divert the guests’ attention. And then, later, she would scold her brother for not being faster at his job.
Chapter Eleven
