Page 20

At last, he nodded, breaking the enthralling connection.

“I am now.” Grinning, he rasped his hand over his bristly face. “You have been insensate and caused me—uh, I mean us—grave concern. I have been afraid to blink, let alone close my eyes for a spell. You miss,” he shook a finger at her, “have caused a great deal of turmoil.”

Perhaps too much laudanum had been administered to her.

That would explain her leaden limbs and moss-coated tongue.

Still, he needn’t act so put upon.

“Really, Robyn.” She glared at him, her dislike of being an imposition and unkempt herself, fueling her indignation. “I should think you would be pleased that I slept the night through.”

He sat up straighter.

“You misunderstand, Georgie.”

He never calls me Georgie.

“You did not just sleep through one night, but four nights.”

“Four?” she whispered, glancing around the chamber.

It too, appeared rather a mess.

“Your fever rose dangerously, and you fell into a delirium and could not be roused.” His tone carried a peculiar thickness, as if he could barely get the words past his tight throat.

What about Regina?

She jerked her attention back to him and spoke in a rush. “My sister. She must be frantic. Where is she? I want to see her.”

He shook his head before speaking in a soothing tone, as one would to an overwrought child.

“Calm down, Georgine. She’s still at home.” He leaned forward and turned the lamp up, casting a golden glow upon the coverlet. “She sent word the day she was to arrive that she had contracted a head cold, and Doctor Tinsdale gave specific instructions that she should remain at home until she completely recovered.”

“That makes sense,” Georgine murmured, unable to dismiss the logic.

“He says your body does not need to battle anything else at present.” He winked, and her stomach plopped over. And not from hunger. “I’ll send a footman this morning with a note telling her you miss her.”

He paused, giving her a cautious glance, as if he wasn’t certain whether to continue. “Although she’ll have to wait for the doctor’s approval to come to Fernleigh House. Per your request, we have kept your battle with fever and infection from her.”

Georgine gave a small nod. “I appreciate it.”

Nevertheless, she could not quell a pang of disappointment.

She missed her sister, and truth be told, left to her own devices, Regina was wont to blunder into mischief or mishaps. It chafed that Claire should be put upon for so long, too. On the other hand, Georgine doubted she had the strength to supervise her young sister, and it galled her to further impose upon the Fitzlloyds.

The question that had been knocking about in her mind since she awoke could not be contained. “Why are you here and not Matilda or a maid?”

He leaned back in the chair, as nonchalant and at ease as a panther lounging on a tree limb.

“What, you are not thrilled by my attentiveness? My diligence and sacrifice?” He circled his hand in the air. “La, I believe I’m quite wounded.”

The wily man deflected, but before Georgine could say as much, her stomach chose that moment to growl so loudly, Robyn’s eyebrows shot ceilingward.

“Impressive.” He contained a grin—barely—but couldn’t quash the humor sparking in his nut-brown eyes. “A veritable lioness.”

“I beg your pardon.” A mortified blush heated her cheeks.

Lioness indeed.