Madcap Miss

Felicia’s mind was a whirlwind. She jumped up and ran to collect and open everything the maid had delivered. She attacked the package first and tore it open to display some undergarments, a nightdress, and a lovely pale blue silk and lace dressing gown.

He had thought of everything, but the notion of him picking out the lacy undergarments made her heat up from her toes to the top of her head.

Some thirty minutes later, having had a delicious hot bath, she stood before the mirror brushing her black hair into velvet waves. She was already wearing the black velvet riding ensemble he had chosen for her over the white lace shirt beneath, and she placed the matching black velvet top hat with its white sheer band onto her head. It was perfect. She took it off and left it ready on the bed, turned, gave herself another glance in the mirror, and found she was well pleased with the picture she presented.

Excited, she went forward to see Scott and hopefully … she realized that the thought was ‘hopefully’ Glen Ashton.

It felt wonderful to be clean and in such a lovely ensemble. She had to wonder just what Ashton had to pay to get the shopkeeper to open so early to accommodate him.

In high spirits she made her way to Scott’s room and knocked on the door. When he didn’t answer, she opened it a crack and was surprised to find it swathed in darkness. She had simply assumed he would be awake by now.

Worried, she tiptoed towards his bed, bent over, and put her palm to his forehead. Sighing with relief that he felt cool to the touch, she put a finger to his shoulder and dropped a kiss on his cheek.

“Good morning,” Ashton whispered from a rocking chair in the darkness.

She gasped even as her hand flew to her heart; she had not seen him there. “Oh my faith. You nearly scared me to death.”

“I had hoped not to do that.” He grinned while speaking softly.

“When did you get back from town?”

He moved to open the drape slightly and allow some light into the room before he answered, “Only a short while ago, and may I say, you look lovely, my dear. I thought that ensemble would suit you.”

“Oh, yes, and thank you. You are as you have been from the start, more than kind, but tell me, sir, however did you know my size?”

“I have a good eye,” he said quietly.

“Hallo!” Scott said from the bed, making an attempt to sit up and then collapsing against the pillows. “What the deuce are you two going on about?” He rubbed his eyes with the knuckles of one hand.

“Ah, my man of the hour is awake. What an excellent sign.” She moved to

wards the hangings, opened them wide, and fixed them in place. “There, that is better.”

“Devilish creature,” he said. “All that light all at once. Trying to kill a man, are you?”

“No, you do that too well all on your own,” she shot back at him amiably.

He grinned. “Hungry and don’t want any more of that dashed disgusting gruel.”

“Hmm, I am not sure—”

Ashton cut her off. “Do you know, I do think that a good idea. He is not feverish, and food will replenish his strength.”

“There, you heard the man. Off now, be a good girl and fetch,” Scott unwisely said.

“Careful, my buck. You will fully recover, and my memory is long, and I can be patient as I plot out my revenge.”

They all laughed, but Felicia said, “Right then, off I go to have a tray brought up to you.” She turned back to Ashton. “Anything for you, sir?”

“No … I think I will go and wash up and change,” Ashton said.

A moment later he walked her to the staircase, and she touched his arm to thank him again. “Sir, we will always be in your debt for your continued kindness.”

“I find I don’t wish for either of you to be in my debt. Rather, I would hope, Felicia, that you will trust me and tell me the whole truth so that I may safely see you situated.”

She was surprised. Had he not believed the story she had given him? It was very nearly the truth.

She lowered her gaze and said, “I have already told you our circumstances. There is no more than that.”