“Help me dress quickly. When we’re finished, notify Mr. Kendrick that I will meet him in the…library. In the library,” she said.
Mercy suggested her green morning gown, an excellent choice, one she believed flattered her. The maid had little skill with hair, however. Mia managed to coax her hair into a nest of braids at her nape with a bit of help from the girl.
“Now off with you to let Mr. Kendrick know I’m up. Do you remember what to tell him?”
“Y’ll meet him in the library.”
“Correct! I should be there shortly, once I’ve confirmed my cousin’s care.”
Mercy paused in the doorway, blocking Mia’s exit. “But, Miss, he wants to see you right away. Him being your betrothed and all! Old Mrs. Morrit has one of the upstairs maids with that cousin of yours.”
An unaccustomed confusion muddled Mia. Care for Selina had absorbed her for days. Was her first duty now to the man she was to marry? Whatever the answer, it wasn’t Mercy’s place to point it out. She raised her chin and said, “Just do as you’re told. Tell him I’ll meet him in the library shortly. Only that.”
She swept forward, forcing Mercy to move, and on down the hall. She had to pass Selina’s room.It won’t hurt to peek in, briefly, will it? Just to be sure all is well.
Her feet slowed. She realized with sudden honesty that she was reluctant to face Gideon. What had passed between them was still too raw, her uncertainties too many. And that kiss! She both worried he’d do it again and feared he wouldn’t.
She shook off her confusion.Stop being a ninny, Mia!She found Selina’s door open and peered in, and the breath left her body.
Gideon sat in the chair beside the bed, bathed in light from the window, a book in his hands. Her heart skipped a beat.
*
As the dayhad gone on and Mia hadn’t sent word, Gideon had grown anxious. Now she suddenly appeared, looking like a frightened deer and lovelier than ever.
He rose so quickly he dropped the book he’d been reading to her cousin. “Mia, you’re here.”
Stating the obvious, nodcock? What will she think of you?He scrambled to pick up the book, hardly taking his eyes from Mia.
“Fee! At last. I can’t imagine where you’ve been. You never sleep the day away. If Mr. Kendrick hadn’t come, I’d have perished of boredom. As it is, Papa will disapprove of his being here. Even if he is betrothed to my cousin and there is a maid to lend me consequence.” Selina rose on one elbow and rattled on behind Gideon.
Her words washed over him while he filled his senses with the sight of Mia, rested and refreshed, clad in a green gown that caressed her curves in ways that would give any man ideas. She gazed back at him, uncertain and dazed.
“Don’t stand there, Fee. Now you’re here, you can help me brush my hair and—” Selina continued to prattle, paying no attention to Mia’s nervous expression.
Mia approached and stood at his side, giving him a whiff of something earthy. Lavender, perhaps. “You seem better, Selina,” she said.
“Well, I’m not,” her cousin whined. “I’m weak as a kitten and can’t do for myself. There’s no one here to help me save this maid—who knows naught about serving a lady.” She sank down on her pillow and glowered at them.
“Alas, Miss Selwyn, my betrothed and I have much to discuss, as you can imagine,” Gideon said.
“I can’t think what. It isn’t as if you have some grand wedding to plan. Papa said you best marry quickly.” Selina glared at Gideon.
The pinched expression on Mia’s face in reaction to that bold statement infuriated him. He struggled not the lash out at the spoiled cousin.
Mia sank to the chair and spoke softly. “Dr. Standish said you are to rest for another week. You must do as he says, if you want to recover enough to come down to dinner with Mr. Tavernash. Sleep today. Tomorrow we’ll wash your hair and get you into the chair for a while.”
Mention of Tavernash distracted the chit. Mia stood back up before her cousin could spit out another complaint. She took Gideon’s arm and let him lead her from the room.
“Kerr left me, and now you will, too,” Selina cried from the bed.
Mia wobbled a step at those words but didn’t turn around. She didn’t speak as he closed the door; neither did she look at him. He put his knuckle under her chin and lifted her face to his. “Are you afraid of me, Mia?”
“No. Never,” she said vehemently, gazing at him directly for a moment before her eyes darted away. “It is just…change. Too much, so little time to do it.” She returned her gaze to his, pleading for understanding.
Her entire life was being upended. He would at least return to his familiar home when this was done. This woman—this very young woman—would leave everything she knew. “Would you like to visit Hector?” he asked.
Pure joy rewarded him. “Above all things, but—”
