At the Earl's Convenience by Maggi Andersen Read Free Book Online Page B

hair disappeared into his breeches. He rolled to his side to allow her to free the sheets and blankets beneath him.
    Selina cried out. Deep purple bruises, turning almost black, covered his sides and back. “You’ve been hurt. What caused this?”
    “Never mind,” he said roughly. “It’s the reason I asked you to help me. This remains between you and me. I want nothing said about it. Do you understand?”
    “If you wish. But I’d like to know what caused them when you feel it appropriate to tell me.”
    “Don’t badger me.” With a sigh, Devereux laid his head back on the pillow. “There’s a clean nightshirt in my bag. Help me off with my breeches.”
    She hesitated.
    “Now’s not the time to be prudish, woman,” he said. “You’re in no danger from me.” He huffed out a laugh. “My spirit is always willing, but the flesh…” He broke off as another coughing fit shook him.
    “When you’re well again, I trust you will tell me. Also, the reason you left me alone at an inn on our wedding day.”
    “Better that you don’t know, Selina.”
    “Allow me to be the judge of that.”
    Feeling his body, softly coiled beneath her fingers, she fumbled with his buttons.
    “As you see,” he said with a trace of irony, “quite safe.”
    Her face burned. She grabbed the bottoms of his breeches and pulled hard. He wore no underwear. Her gaze lingered for a moment on his maleness.
    “Not quite at my best,” he said between clenched teeth. “I’m as weak as a kitten.”
    “We must get you into bed.”
    “I did warn you it would be a poor bargain you’d get with me, madam.”
    “It hasn’t been the best of starts, has it?” she said lightly, hiding her concern and compassion. She knew it wouldn’t be welcome.
    She took the white lawn nightshirt from his bag and threw it over his head, dressing him as she did Anne’s children. As she pulled the garment down, her face came close to his. She stared into his feverish eyes.
    He moved with a speed that surprised her, pulling her against him. His big hand cupped her chin and brought her face close to his. “I want to kiss you, dammit,” he said, his blue eyes raking hers. “But I won’t pass this on to you.”
    She pulled away, wishing he’d risked it. “Thank you for your consideration.”
    “Not in love with me anymore, then.”
    “What makes you think I ever was? Oh, sorry, I’m a weak female, so I must be.”
    He gave a hoot of laughter. It turned into a hacking cough that left him breathless.
    “Why did you marry me?” he asked when he could get his breath.
    “A home of my own.”
    “You had a comfortable life and an agreeable fortune. Some decent fellow would have turned up to give you a home and children.”
    “But you have a title.” She hated the lie. He mustn’t discover her secret. He would judge her a poor thing, and she needed his respect. She regretted the words the moment they were out of her mouth. Pride comes before a fall .
    Troubled blue eyes searched hers. “I sensed my title meant little to you, Selina. Or do I not know you at all?”
    “Well, that makes two of us, my lord. For you are a complete mystery to me.”
    Someone scratched at the door. Mary entered with a bowl of cold water and a cloth.
    Selina tucked the sheets and blankets around him, adding another blanket for good measure. She dipped a cloth in the water and wrung it out then placed it on his forehead.
    He reached up and took hold of her wrist, encircling it with his long fingers. “Have you been lonely?”
    “I’ve been busy, as you see.”
    “But the nights, lonely and…bored rigid?”
    “I like to read.”
    “By candlelight?” He grinned and kissed the inside of her wrist. “You’ll ruin your pretty green eyes.”
    She started at the compliment. “You shouldn’t talk,” she said, hiding how pleased it made her. What a poor fool she was to pounce on every small crumb he threw her. She pulled her hand from his grasp. “You need to rest.”
    He