appalling. It’s just that it’s true I am playing no game. I have enemies and, as you see, I am at somewhat of a disadvantage if they track me down.’
In spite of the bitterness of the last few words, Lucy was aware of stirrings deep within her; stirrings she didn’t fully understand because those parts of her body were never mentioned, but they were part of her and she wondered why this bantering conversation should affect her body in a similar way to when she had been briefly held in his arms a year earlier. It certainly wasn’t physical attraction. His scarred face was pale and thin and his one visible eye glared at her with reproof.
Yet, she knew he hadn’t ceased to invade her thoughts since their recent encounter and, in her mind’s eye, he was brutishly handsome and still had the power to melt her insides to a molten heat. She felt the impulse to reach out and touch his cheek and smooth away the vivid scar, and run her fingers through his dark hair, which, seated as he was in the wheelchair, was tantalizingly close!
Alarmed by the intensity of her longings, she thrust her free hand behind her and stepped back.
Lord Rockhaven’s eyebrow rose fractionally at her sudden movement. ‘I won’t bite you,’ he said drily, as if he could read her thoughts and was amused by them.
Her cheeks flushed. ‘I didn’t suppose you would,’ she saidprimly. ‘I just … didn’t want to crowd you.’ Good heavens, even in a wheelchair this man affected her more than any of the handsome bucks and dandies in London.
No, all she felt for him was pity for his unfortunate vulnerable state. She just wanted to help him to sort himself out – to, quite literally, help him to get back on his feet. Wouldn’t anyone who had known the vigorous young man of former years feel that same? Except she knew she was lying to herself; she wanted him back on his feet so that he could hold her in his arms again and kiss the life out of her.
With a start, she realized Lord Rockhaven was speaking and pushed her errant thoughts away, though she knew she would savour them later.
‘And you have told no one, you say? No one else knows I am here?’
Lucy shook her head. ‘No. Your secret is safe. I don’t understand, though. You are a lord … an earl, even. You must have influence. If you have enemies, cannot you bring a charge against them? Cannot the authorities act on your behalf? Why do you have to go into hiding? You said you have done nothing wrong, or was that just to appease the children?’
‘No. I spoke the truth: I have done nothing wrong, but I have no proof of what my … enemy … has done against me. I just know he will not leave it at this.’ He indicated his person and Lucy assumed he meant his disability. ‘He will try again and I don’t intend to make it easy for him, but I need time.’
‘Time for what?’ Lucy asked.
‘To get better, of course! I won’t be shot in the back again. Next time, he will have to face me man to man.’
Lucy stared at him. ‘Someone tried to kill you
deliberately
? I thought you had been wounded in battle – at least, that is what everyone says – that you were both injured and that your brother … died.’
Her voice faltered as she recollected what else Marissa had said. She felt embarrassed that her sister should have repeated slanderous gossip and her discomfort was made worse when Lord Rockhaven himself spoke aloud her inner reflection.
‘Huh! And no doubt these know-alls embellished the truth with innuendoes of us leaving the battle whilst it was still in progress, labelling us as deserters!’
Lucy touched his arm in compassion for his distress. ‘People will always relish a touch of scandal. It is best to ignore their gossip and get on with life. It must have been a dreadful time for you, especially since you are …’ Again, her voice faltered to a standstill. What was it about this man that made her senses fly off in all directions?
‘A cripple? Don’t let
In spite of the bitterness of the last few words, Lucy was aware of stirrings deep within her; stirrings she didn’t fully understand because those parts of her body were never mentioned, but they were part of her and she wondered why this bantering conversation should affect her body in a similar way to when she had been briefly held in his arms a year earlier. It certainly wasn’t physical attraction. His scarred face was pale and thin and his one visible eye glared at her with reproof.
Yet, she knew he hadn’t ceased to invade her thoughts since their recent encounter and, in her mind’s eye, he was brutishly handsome and still had the power to melt her insides to a molten heat. She felt the impulse to reach out and touch his cheek and smooth away the vivid scar, and run her fingers through his dark hair, which, seated as he was in the wheelchair, was tantalizingly close!
Alarmed by the intensity of her longings, she thrust her free hand behind her and stepped back.
Lord Rockhaven’s eyebrow rose fractionally at her sudden movement. ‘I won’t bite you,’ he said drily, as if he could read her thoughts and was amused by them.
Her cheeks flushed. ‘I didn’t suppose you would,’ she saidprimly. ‘I just … didn’t want to crowd you.’ Good heavens, even in a wheelchair this man affected her more than any of the handsome bucks and dandies in London.
No, all she felt for him was pity for his unfortunate vulnerable state. She just wanted to help him to sort himself out – to, quite literally, help him to get back on his feet. Wouldn’t anyone who had known the vigorous young man of former years feel that same? Except she knew she was lying to herself; she wanted him back on his feet so that he could hold her in his arms again and kiss the life out of her.
With a start, she realized Lord Rockhaven was speaking and pushed her errant thoughts away, though she knew she would savour them later.
‘And you have told no one, you say? No one else knows I am here?’
Lucy shook her head. ‘No. Your secret is safe. I don’t understand, though. You are a lord … an earl, even. You must have influence. If you have enemies, cannot you bring a charge against them? Cannot the authorities act on your behalf? Why do you have to go into hiding? You said you have done nothing wrong, or was that just to appease the children?’
‘No. I spoke the truth: I have done nothing wrong, but I have no proof of what my … enemy … has done against me. I just know he will not leave it at this.’ He indicated his person and Lucy assumed he meant his disability. ‘He will try again and I don’t intend to make it easy for him, but I need time.’
‘Time for what?’ Lucy asked.
‘To get better, of course! I won’t be shot in the back again. Next time, he will have to face me man to man.’
Lucy stared at him. ‘Someone tried to kill you
deliberately
? I thought you had been wounded in battle – at least, that is what everyone says – that you were both injured and that your brother … died.’
Her voice faltered as she recollected what else Marissa had said. She felt embarrassed that her sister should have repeated slanderous gossip and her discomfort was made worse when Lord Rockhaven himself spoke aloud her inner reflection.
‘Huh! And no doubt these know-alls embellished the truth with innuendoes of us leaving the battle whilst it was still in progress, labelling us as deserters!’
Lucy touched his arm in compassion for his distress. ‘People will always relish a touch of scandal. It is best to ignore their gossip and get on with life. It must have been a dreadful time for you, especially since you are …’ Again, her voice faltered to a standstill. What was it about this man that made her senses fly off in all directions?
‘A cripple? Don’t let
Similar Books
