Page 55 of Prescription for Sin

“Winter aconite.” Everett’s voice came low beside her, making her start. “Beautiful but deadly.”

“Like many things that appear harmless at first glance.”

Before he could respond, Lady Winona called him away to examine some “extraordinary” shrubs, her voice carrying a note of possession that set Emma’s teeth on edge.

“You’ll turn those berries into ashes if you glare any harder,” Michael murmured.

“I’m merely appreciating their toxic properties.”

“Of course you are.” His knowing smile softened the words. “Just as Lady Winona is simply appreciating dendrology.”

Their party continued to weave through the winter landscape, separating and reuniting like figures in an elaborate dance. Emma alternated between engaging in intellectual discourse with Lady Amy, whose keen mind proved a welcome distraction, and Lord Lex who seemed to have lived nine lives at age thirty. She managed to watch Everett move effortlessly between groups, equally at ease discussing politics with Michael or charming the ladies with poetry.

“He watches you, you know,” Lady Amy murmured, pausing to trace frost patterns with a gloved finger. “When he thinks no one’s looking. His eyes follow your every movement.”

Before Emma could respond, Lady Winona’s voice rang out ahead, high with excitement. She had discovered animal tracks and required Everett’s expert opinion immediately. Emma’s stays felt uncommonly tight as she watched him bend to examine the prints, his patience with Lady Winona’s enthusiastic misidentifications only stoking Emma’s irritation.

“Please enlighten me, Lady Amy,” she said. “Why would those young women pay any attention to Dr Moreland when Lord Kincaid and Lord Lex are just as handsome with titles to boot?”

Lady Amy’s eyes twinkled. “I’m certain their mamas would agree with you, but for young women…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I believe it may be because Dr Moreland appears to be a man of experience while my brother and Lord Kincaid exude an air of boyishness.”

“Mind your step,” Lord Lex cautioned as he approached, his hand settling at the small of Emma’s back. He steadied her just as her foot slipped on a patch of ice. “The path turns treacherous here.”

But Emma barely noticed the terrain, too focused on Everett’s rich laugh at some inane observation about rabbit tracks. Her distraction proved costly as her next step caught a hidden root, pitching her forward. Strong hands caught her from behind—Lord Lex’s, she realised—but not before her ankle wrenched with a burst of pain.

Lord Lex supported her as she leaned heavily against him. Everett materialised beside her as if conjured, all pretence of casual acquaintance vanishing. His hands went to her ankle, fingers probing with gentle precision through her boot.

“I’m perfectly fine,” she insisted, though the throbbing suggested otherwise.

“You need to rest it.” His voice carried that distinctive blend of professional authority and personal concern that made her pulse skip. “I’m taking you back to the house.”

“That’s hardly—”

“I insist.”

Before she could marshal further protest, he swept her into his arms.

“Please, continue your walk,” he addressed the others with calm authority. “I’ll see Miss Brown safely home.”

As Everett carried her away, Emma caught the varying expressions of their companions: Lord Lex’s puzzled look, Lady Amy’s sympathetic smile, Lady Winona’s crestfallen pout. The last should have given her some satisfaction, but instead only heightened her confusion about the turmoil in her own heart.

Once they rounded the first bend, Emma found her voice. “Put me down this instant.”

He continued walking, leaving the path to venture deeper into the woods where the snow lay unmarked.

“Where are you taking me?”

Only when they were well hidden among the trees did he set her carefully on her feet, though his hands lingered at her waist.

“I said I’m perfectly fine—”

“Are you?” His voice was soft but intense. “Because you’ve barely looked at me all morning, yet you nearly broke your neck watching me with Lady Winona.”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” But her voice lacked conviction. “I was simply marvelling at your patience with such obvious manipulation.”

“The only manipulation I care about is yours.” His fingers traced the line of her jaw. “Using Lord Lex to make me jealous…”

“I did no such thing!”