Vexing the Viscount

“You have no idea,” he muttered as his cock thickened with anticipation. “I feel much better than yesterday.”

“Get your strength back and then we’ll discuss the matter,” she said casually. “I will order you a tray and then I’ll get dressed.”

“My strength has recovered.” Braden blew out a frustrated sigh. Seducing her wasn’t an option if he planned to keep his vow to reform. But six months without a woman was killing him. Perhaps that was the only reason he found her so devastatingly desirable. She was pretty, but not his typical blond beauty. Yet, there was much more to her.

He had thought her selfish to leave his estate and the people who needed him. Now, he wondered if she hadn’t run from something or the memory of someone. Could that really have been the reason she ran? She admitted she’d seen a poisoning with belladonna before. He closed his eyes. Had someone on the estate died from it? It seemed unlikely. He had never heard of the poisoning until she told him what had happened.

That left the possibility that she had left because of another reason. He doubted it was entirely his brother’s departure. Once she’d discovered Jonathon might have fathered Emily’s baby, she had given up her infatuation rather quickly.

A few minutes later, she returned and a footman carried in a tray laden with food. His eyes widened and his stomach grumbled.

“It is not all for you,” she said with a smile. “I thought we might as well share a meal together.”

He pushed himself up to a sitting position. “Excellent suggestion, Miss Featherstone.”

“Would you like a shirt?” Her face reddened as she looked at his bare chest.

“No, I am just fine.” Watching her cheeks redden, he said, “This can hardly bother you. I’ve been shirtless for . . . ?”

“Three days. That is normal for that type of poisoning.” She removed one plate and then put the tray on his lap, then sat back down and took a bite of her sandwich. He couldn’t help but stare at her. There were dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept much because of him.

“Will it have any lasting effect?”

She shook her head as she chewed. “No,” she finally answered. “You should be fine now. Just don’t ingest anymore.”

“I will do my best to avoid it.” He reached for his sandwich and took a bite. “Does it really taste this good or am I just starving?”

“No, it really tastes this good,” she said with a laugh.

It was the first time she actually seemed comfortable around him. And he liked it. There was something about her that warmed his heart. He wanted to see her smile more, dress in silks and

fashionable clothing. This was not him!

Was this all just the effect of her saving his life?

That had to be the answer.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked. “You have been staring at me for two minutes without saying a word.”

“It was nothing.”

She stifled a yawn, but he noticed. Once luncheon was finished, he would insist she take a nap.

“I’ll take your tray now,” she said as he finished the last bite of his sandwich. She reached over him to lift the tray.

He brought his hand to her soft cheek. She paused and looked over at him. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Thank you,” he whispered. “I wouldn’t be alive if not for you.”

She blinked quickly, then grabbed the tray and left the room. When she came back a few minutes later, her eyes were slightly red as if she’d been crying. He had no idea what was wrong.

“Tia, please come over here.” He patted a place on the bed next to him. For once, she did as he requested without question. She sat down on the bed, but refused to meet his gaze. He turned her head toward him. “Why were you crying?” he asked softly.

“I was not crying,” she replied, but then blinked several times.

“Were you worried about me?” He let his hand rest on her cheek.

“Of course I was worried about you. If you had . . . died, the blame would be on me. Everyone would assume because the belladonna was from my bag that I had something to do with the poisoning.”

She was just a dreadful liar. “What is the real reason?”