“I will assist her, Miss Perkins,” Malcolm managed, trying to seem dull and respectable so that Miss Perkins would not object to him carrying off her sister.
Mrs.Salisbury appeared at his elbow.Malcolm informed her of what had happened and his plan.
“Take one of the maids,” she whispered.“It wouldn’t be right otherwise, Malcolm.”
He nodded, gritting his teeth.He didn’t want one of the maids.Not when he had Scarlett in his arms.
But he had no choice.A maid, the very same one who had interrupted them last night, followed them back up the hill—and seated herself next to Scarlett in the gig.
Malcolm tried not to groan.
And then he realized that Scarlett’s water-logged, pink dress was half translucent.
He could see the exact shape of her breasts in her corset.
God save him.
But he knew, as he was unable to keep his eyes off of her perfect, half-bared body, that he didn’t deserve salvation.
He was a dog, a cur, a beast of the lowest form.
And worst of all, he had no desire to be anything else.
Chapter Twenty
The maid neededto leave.
Now.
Scarlett was soaked to the skin, embarrassed, and terribly, terribly aroused after being held so close by Malcolm.
As Malcolm helped her to her room, the maid kept cooing over her and asking how she could assist.
All she wanted was for the girl to be gone.
“Do you need a doctor, miss?”she asked as Malcolm lowered her onto the edge of the bed.
What I need is for you to leave.
“Perhaps that might be best,” Malcolm said.
The sound of his voice at this moment was too much for her to bear.She felt herself flush hot underneath her very cold clothing.
“You must go to the hall and tell Mr.Jensen to call for Mr.Barrington.He should come quickly.And you’ll need to wait for his arrival so you can direct him to our location.”
Scarlett’s heart rose in hope.Would it be possible to be alone with him?Here?If it were, it would be worth every indignity she had just suffered.
The maid’s gaze slid between the two of them.She was aware, of course, that she was playing the role of some sort of chaperone, and that was part of her function.To shield Scarlett from indecency.
“Miss, does that suit you?”she asked nervously.
“Yes, please,” Scarlett said.“I do think I need a doctor.I am in great pain.”
This statement, of course, was false.She was in no pain now that she was seated.As she had said so not five minutes before.But she hoped the girl had not retained that detail.
“Very well.Of course.I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She bowed and bobbed off.
