Realm 04 - A Touch of Grace by Regina Jeffers Read Free Book Online Page B

chew upon besides my own curses.” He saw her eyes open wide as she began to wash away the blood and dirt.
    When she ripped the spectacles from her nose and tossed them onto the bed, it was his eyes that grew in size. “They are only an employment prop,” she insisted. He gulped air when her fingers examined the opening. “They protect me from lecherous masters.”
    Despite the burning sensation radiating down his arm from the brandy she had splashed on the wound, Gabriel found his admiration increase for this woman. If he lived through this encounter, he would hope to know more of Miss Nelson.
    “It is time, Lord Godown,” she said softly. “Permit it to happen. Whatever God brings us, I shall remain by your side, my Lord.” With that, she picked up the knife and cut into his skin.
    Although she had seen renderings of classical statues, Grace had never imagined any man, who actually breathed life into his lungs, could possess such well-defined chest muscles. Firm hard flesh teased her fingertips. A few scars marred the golden skin. White ridges where someone had attempted to do him harm. Yet, those marks only increased his perfection. Grace’s skin pinked as her eyes followed a line of hair that disappeared into his breeches. It took all her self-control not to follow the line with her touch. No wonder she had considered him an Adonis. All bare flesh and chiseled muscles.
    Grace bit her bottom lip in concentration as she explored His Lordship’s wound. What would she do if he did not survive? Grace could not believe she had accepted Lord Godown’s proposition. If anyone discovered her deception, even with the viscountess’s reference, she would find no employment. Yet, Grace knew she would never regret being in this room with this man.
    She did not envision herself as some sort of hero. In her mind, she had thought of his saving her rather than her offering him peace. She had always acted in the most sensible of manners. When her brother assumed the title, Grace had done what she could to minimize the damage, and when no other choices remained, she had taken the position with the Aldridges. With her out of the house, Geoffrey would have no excuse to neglect their younger sister’s future.
    It had always surprised her Geoffrey had not bartered away her hand in marriage. As the daughter of a baron surely her hand had held some worth, but without a dowry, no proper gentleman would accept her. Geoffrey might have considered a joining with one of his cronies, but had overlooked her merits. Or even a man in trade. However, her brother judged a woman purely on her appearance, and Grace knew she was far from attractive. Yet, for that oversight, she was thankful. An unacceptable marriage–one to a man who preferred his cards and his drink to his wife–would be a deplorable alternative, even more so than having to seek employment.
    At the time, Geoffrey had berated her for Grace’s lack of femininity. Had actually called her “ill favored,” but Geoffrey had erred because the Marquis of Godown, one of England’s handsomest men, had pronounced her “the prettiest girl I have ever beheld.” A smile crept across her lips. Despite her intense concentration on the task at hand, Grace’s heart skipped a beat. It would be a memory she would nurture through the years to follow. And she would cherish these moments–even this harrowing effort to save Lord Godown’s life. He had called her “Grace” and “my Dear” and had made her feel capable and trustworthy. This was an adventure, likely the only one she would ever experience.
    “You smile,” His Lordship hissed past the leather strap.
    Grace’s eyes jerked to his countenance. Their gazes held for several elongated seconds before she softly said, “I contemplated how out of character this encounter found my life.”
    He did not look away, but a slight nod released her to return to her makeshift surgery. “I have located the first shard,” she instructed as she