He smiled, not the flirtatious sort of smile he’d given her before, but a more playful variety. A shrug followed. “I find them entertaining.”
“So do I,” she admitted, and for a long second after, it was impossible for her to look away. It was as if his gaze was pulling her to him.
Feeling a wave of heat creep over her skin, she returned her attention to the newspaper in her hand with the intention of reading one of the puzzles herself. Her hand instinctively went to her skirt pocket and paused. She knit her brow, attempting against all hope to make out the blurry words without using her spectacles.
Failing, she returned the newspaper to Mr. Lowell’s lap. She was plain enough as she was. No need to add to her undesirability by showing off her long-sightedness as well. Not that she wanted Mr. Lowell to find her desirable, because she most definitely didn’t, but Robert had always laughed when he’d seen her wearing her spectacles, which was why she only ever put them on when it was absolutely necessary.
Mr. Lowell gave her a curious look, but rather than broach her unwillingness to attempt the puzzle, he settled back against his pillows and yawned. “I do apologize, Mrs. Cartwright, but I seem to require more rest than usual at the moment.”
She chuckled lightly and with a strange appreciation for his consideration toward her. “Let’s not forget you were recently shot and underwent surgery. It would be strange if you weren’t feeling somewhat put out.”
The edge of his mouth lifted. “Beautiful and amusing,” he murmured. “Remind me to send my dueling opponent a thank-you note. Had it not been for him, you and I might never have met.”
She pursed her lips before saying, “Something tells me you would have arrived here sooner or later.” Determined not to let him detain her any longer, Viola picked up the bowl containing the old compress and bandage and strode to the door.
“One moment,” Mr. Lowell spoke to her back.
Muttering a curse, Viola paused on the threshold and turned. “Yes?”
He smiled beatifically, which not only put Viola’s nerves on edge but also made butterflies soar in her belly. “Might I request a bath after my nap? And if so, will you be good enough to assist me with it?”
A rush of heat swept through Viola, so intense she feared she might catch fire. Of all the things he might have asked, she had not expected this. It proved he was more of a scoundrel than she’d imagined, because heaven above, the man was shamelessly staring at her with a wolfish gleam to his eyes and a smirk on his handsome face.
“I... um...”Oh, for God’s sake!Viola straightened her spine and pressed the bowl she held to her chest like a shield. “Considering the immobile state of most patients, bathing tends to require a great deal of heavy lifting. Consequently, the nurses are all exempt from this duty.” She smiled back at him and told him gently, “I’ll ask the strongest orderlies I can find to come and help you as soon as possible. And since you’re not allowed to make any movements that might put a strain on the wound, I hope you’ll allow them to clean the more hard-to-reach places for you.”
Mr. Lowell’s smile evaporated completely.
Offering no more than a nod, Viola used his dumbfounded silence to make her escape. It wasn’t until she was well out of sight and hearing that she allowed herself the grin that threatened. She’d gotten the best of Mr. Lowell just now and she found she rather enjoyed it.
Henry stared at the vacant doorway, his mind still occupied by the woman who’d turned the tables on him only seconds earlier. She was stunningly beautiful, not in the classical sense, but in a way that set her apart from the rest. He’d been wrong, he realized, to tell his brother her eyes were blue and her hair golden. No wonder he’d thought he was speaking of the other nurse, Emily, instead of Viola, whose eyes were an interesting shade of gray. They were the eyes of a sharp and intelligent woman—the sort of woman whom he suspected capable of holding his interest for infinite lengths of time. Her hair, on the other hand, was perhaps a bit duller than Emily’s, but it was thicker and longer, as judged by the volume of her tight chignon. He’d longed to unpin it and watch it fall over her shoulders ever since he’d first seen her.
But it wasn’t just her eyes or her hair that was fascinating. It was also the shape of her mouth, the perfectly plump lower lip and the dimples at either side. And then there were the freckles... Lord help him, he’d never thought he’d find tiny little dots of brown so attractive, but they somehow seemed to suit her personality, which clearly leaned toward the teasing side.
Sighing, he decided he had to encourage more of the same. Because her ability to get the better of him had provoked him in ways nothing had in recent years. Which was why it was such a pity she was only a nurse.
It didn’t matter how smart or feisty she was, because when it came to doing his duty, he would have to choose a respectable lady from amid the peerage. This was the only way to improve his reputation and prevent further scandal from befalling his family.
Of course, he would also have to consider a woman who wasn’t already married.
What an unfortunate shame that was.
Henry picked up the paper and stared at the puzzle. Mrs. Cartwright had said she enjoyed them and yet she’d clearly avoided attempting to solve it. He wondered over that for a while and when he failed to arrive at a plausible explanation, he decided to get some more rest. Not that he was particularly tired. He’d affected the yawn for Mrs. Cartwright’s benefit so she’d have an excuse to leave his side. For although he regretted letting her go, he sensed she wasn’t the sort of woman who responded well to a man’s blatant interest. Her constant attempts to school her features and refrain from smiling, along with the way her hand shook when she returned the newspaper to him, were telling. She was loyal to her husband and refused to be charmed by another man, which only made him like her more.
Thankfully, when he woke again later in the day and requested the bath he craved, he was able to convince the orderlies who brought the small tub to his room that he was perfectly capable of managing on his own. Initially they insisted they help, but when he showed he could stand on his own two feet by himself without falling over, they relented.
“I understand you have chosen to ignore my advice and refused to listen to the orderlies when they asked to stay in the room with you while you bathed,” Mrs. Cartwright said when she came to see him in the evening. She was holding a tray on which Henry spied a plate of food and a bottle of something he hoped might be wine. “Your wound is serious, Mr. Lowell and the cause of some restriction. What if you slipped in the tub while reaching for the soap? What should I tell your brother then after promising him I’d ensure your complete recuperation?”
Henry did his best to hide the smile that threatened. And failed. “Forgive me, but I do think you’re overreacting.”
She stared at him, and for a moment he feared she might toss the tray and all of its contents directly at his head. Instead, she took a step closer and narrowed her eyes in a way he found both alarming and strangely arousing. “I work in a hospital, Mr. Lowell. I see what happens when people aren’t careful enough. The last man I met who slipped in his tub arrived here with two broken wristsanda concussion.”
It was clearly time to accept her point of view and do the right thing. “I apologize, Mrs. Cartwright. From now on I’ll heed your advice. You have my word and my full cooperation.”
Her shoulders dropped as her jaw went slack, and it occurred to Henry that she was dismayed by his willingness to cede the argument. A frown followed. She pursed her lips as if in speculation. “Really?”
“I swear it.” He smiled brightly. “And if I break my promise, I’ll...” He considered his options for a moment while regarding her carefully. “I’ll work in your employ for a week after I recover.”
Her lips twitched. “Why do I feel like this is a trick?” Moving around the bed, she approached the table next to it and set the tray down. The delicious smell of spiced meat and vegetables wafted toward him from a covered plate and made his mouth water. The glass of wine standing beside it had him straightening his posture in anticipation of his meal.
