Perfect Bride by Samantha James Read Free Book Online Page B

as your nurse, Miss St. James, and rest assured I shall en deavor to make your recovery a speedy one. And,” he added smoothly when he saw her gaping, “if you’re going to ask why we didn’t summon a physician...well, I daresay a physician would have asked more questions than you appear willing to answer.”
    Devon checked her biting retort. He was right; she should mind her tongue. Mama had often chided her for not guarding it more closely. She resented his arrogance and overbearing manner, but there was little she could do about her fate right now. She re minded herself she was warm and dry—and far away from Harry and Freddie.
    He shifted, suddenly so close she could smell the starch of his shirt. She tried to recoil from his near ness, but there was nowhere to go. His fingertips slid over the delicate skin just below her ear, down the side of her neck.
    “You’ve bruises there,” he observed grimly.
    Devon said nothing. She tried to read the thoughts behind the depths of his eyes, but she could not peer within, any more than she could have peered down the darkest alley on a moonless night.
    “Would you care to tell me how you came by them?”
    The burning in her side was suddenly intense and throbbing, but it was like nothing compared to the ache in her breast. Black despair slipped over her heart. What was the use? His kind would never be lieve her.
    “No,” she muttered.
    “Are you in pain?”
    Though his expression was intent, the harshness was gone from his voice. Devon refused to be lured. Mutely she shook her head.
    He persisted. “Perhaps some laudanum—”
    “What, to coax me into talking?”
    Silence. “No,” he said finally. “It will help you rest.”
    “I shall be fine.” She pressed her lips together, hor rified to discover that tears lurked but a heartbeat away. She was determined not to reveal how close she was to breaking down, but if he stayed any longer, she wasn’t sure she could stop them.
    She averted her gaze. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone now.”
    From the corner of her eye, she saw his brother’s shadow shift toward the door, but the marquess had yet to move. She could feel his gaze boring into her.
    “You must be hungry. I’ll send someone up with food.”
    “Fine,” she muttered. “As long as it isn’t you.”
    “Given your present state, Miss St. James, I shall pretend I didn’t hear that.” He gave a slight bow. “In the meantime I shall look forward to our next meeting.”
    Devon, on the other hand, most certainly did not .

Five
    utside in the hall, Justin crossed his arms over his chest and regarded Sebastian. “Quite the ter magant, isn’t she?” Sebastian snorted. “Termagant? I can think of a word far more fitting and much less proper.” The corner of Justin’s mouth twitched. “The girl has gumption, you must admit. I found it vastly amusing when she called you Lord Shyte.”
    “I’m sure you did, and I agree she has gumption. But she’s hiding something, Justin. I’m sure of it.” A gleam entered Justin’s eyes. “Shall we entertain a wager?”
    “You’d lose,” Sebastian predicted bluntly.
    Justin merely laughed.
    After dinner that evening, Sebastian retired to the li brary and his favorite chair. The day had been a busy one. Business had occupied much of the afternoon, as well as nagging thoughts of the girl upstairs. He still wasn’t sure precisely what they’d gotten into. Although, he reflected wryly, it appeared she was doing her best to forget him . He’d looked in on her once, but the instant she saw him, she screwed her eyes shut and pretended to be asleep.
    The Wetherby ball was tonight, but he’d sent a note declining. He didn’t feel right about leaving an injured woman alone with just the servants to tend her. No doubt the gossips would be all abuzz, won dering at his absence, particularly after his an nouncement at the Farthingales’, but the decision had been an easy one.
    His search for a bride would