by Alexia Praks
He turned his head. Pain shot through his whole body. “Grr!” He gritted his teeth. Why the hell was his head hurting so much? Then he felt hands soothing the side of his forehead. He lifted his hands to touch those fingers. They were small. He turned to look at the person who owned such lovely hands. He saw a pair of violet eyes gazing down at him. The expression in them was raw pain.
“Merrick, you must not move so much. It will only cause you more pain,” she said softly.
“Chris.” He lifted his other hand to touch his head and felt the thick fabric there. He applied pressure on the injury site and moaned. “What happened?”
She ignored his question and tucked the blanket up to his chin. He pushed it back down to his waist. She frowned at him. “Merrick, you are not well. I don’t want you to get a fever.”
“Mayhap you would just tell me what happened.”
“You are not well enough to hear the story yet,” she said and pulled the blanket up to his chin again. He sat up roughly as he kicked the blanket down.
“Wow!” he howled, loud enough for the whole of Huntingdon Hall to hear.
“Merrick, you must not sit up. Your injury is very bad. Please lay down.” She came closer to him and urged him to lie down.
“Nay, Chris. Tell me what happened,” he commanded.
“Please lie down,” she pleaded with him in desperation.
“I believe Master Chris is right, my lord. You must lie down. Your head will not hurt so much,” Dr. Liam said.
“What happened?” Merrick asked the doctor.
“I’d say that an angel is looking after you. This accident could have killed you instantly,” the doctor said.
“Killed me?” Merrick murmured under his breath. He turned to look at Christine. “My stallion?”
“Ah, your stallion. Well, I’m not a horse doctor, am I?” the old man commented with a smile. “You’ll have to stay in bed for a couple more weeks. You’ve been unconscious for three days and nights. That fever could have claimed you. But you’re strong. Thanks to Master Chris there. He was by your side all day and night, wouldn’t go to his own room to sleep.” He chuckled and glanced at Christine.
Merrick looked at her. He saw that she was very pale, and there were dark circles under her eyes.
“Why don’t you let Paris look after the earl tonight, Master Chris?” the doctor said.
“Nay, I want to look after him, and Mr. Paris is very tired too,” she said.
“From doing nothing?” the doctor said with his brows raised.
“He’s investigating, sir,” she explained.
“Investigating what?” the old man asked. “You need your rest, lad.”
“But Merrick needs me,” she protested.
“Huh. I won’t argue with you,” he said and turned to Merrick. “He’s very stubborn. Now that everything is under control, I’ll take my leave.” He got up, went to get his bag, and turned. “Rest well, my lord,” he said, and then he was gone.
Jacob came in at that moment. “My lord,” he said.
“Jacob, tell me what happened,” Merrick ordered.
Jacob ambled from the door toward the bed. Christine got up, but Merrick caught her hand and forced her to sit down beside him. She obeyed his command.
“You were racing, my lord, and then your stallion went crazy. The next second, it was running toward the other horses, and then you and Starlight crashed into a tree. Your stallion, sir, fell on top of you. It’s a miracle that you did not die, sir,” Jacob said, frowning for there was much mystery surrounding the incident.
“What of my horse, Jacob?” Merrick asked.
“I’ve checked the beast, and it has been poisoned. I assure you, I have been looking after him particularly carefully. I don’t know how this could have happened. Somebody must have sneaked in and given Starlight something a few minutes before the race.”
“Thank you, Jacob. You will conduct an investigation,” Merrick ordered.
“Aye, my lord, I’ve already started on that. I’ve got our men to go around and do some searching, sir, and Mr. and Mrs. Ross have been interviewing the servants all evening to find out if they’ve seen or heard anything, but so far, nothing,” Jacob said.
“Thank you, Jacob,” Merrick said.
Jacob turned to go, but he hesitantly turned back and said, “My lord, do you think is it possible that someone is trying to murder you?”
“Do you think that it is possible, Jacob?” Merrick said, raising his brows.
“Well, sir, there was that shooting last winter,” Jacob suggested.
“I believe you are right there, Jacob.” Merrick turned to Christine, squeezing her hand. “Jacob, make sure this little piece of news doesn’t get spread to anybody and especially not to my guests.”
“Aye, my lord.” Jacob bowed his head and left.
“I’m such a fool,” Merrick said.
“You are not a fool,” Christine replied, eyeing him.
“Nay, Chris. I thought I was invincible, but no. I could get hurt and die as easily as any other man. Chris, how did you know?” He pulled her closer to him.
“It’s just instinct, I suppose. You see, I just had this feeling. I was so scared for you. I didn’t want you to get hurt. I thought I’d die when I saw you and your stallion going down.” She sobbed and blinked, causing her tears to roll down her cheeks. Merrick wiped them away with his thumb.
“Poor Chris,” he chuckled.
Mrs. Ross entered the room at that moment. “Here, my lord. You must have some soup and then that medicine the doctor gave to make your pain go away.” She placed the tray on top of the bedside table. She lifted the bowl and handed it to Christine. “Here, Master Chris, feed him. I’ve doubt his lordship has an ounce of energy left to do such a simple thing as to feed himself.”
Christine took the bowl and dipped the spoon into the beef soup. She lifted a spoonful and blew on it to cool it down. Merrick was spellbound by what he saw. He couldn’t take his eyes from the picture of the woman blowing the soup cool with her delicate lips. He suddenly felt that he would die for her. Then he caught his breath as a realization hit him. His heart jolted in his chest as a thought struck him. She loved him.
“Merrick?” She held the spoon for him.
He opened his mouth as she fed him.
“My lord, you must take some laudanum.” Mrs. Ross came to him and motioned for him to drink the drugs. He pushed her hands away.
“I do not need any medicine to help me get better,” Merrick said.
“My lord, ’tis the doctor’s order that you must take this medicine. It’ll help you sleep and relieve the pain.” She scolded with her eyebrows knitted together as though she were lecturing a little kid who would not obey her.
“Mrs. Ross is right, Merrick, you must take the medicine,” Christine said.
“Very well then, I’ll take the damn stuff.”
Both Christine and Mrs. Ross smiled.
Mrs. Ross held it out to him. Merrick grabbed it and swallowed the whole lot with a gulp.
“There now, you should rest.” She gently pushed him down in the bed. Mrs. Ross pulled the blanket up to his chin, fussing with his pillows and the sheets, trying to make him more comfortable.
Damn! Why did every female in this house treat him as though he were a child? Merrick pushed the blankets down to his waist and stared at Mrs. Ross, silently telling her that she had gone too far. Christine smiled behind Mrs. Ross. Merrick caught her smirk and gave her a hard glare. Her smirk vanished immediately. Mrs. Ross just shook her head and left the room.
“Oh, Sir Allan. Here to see the earl, I suppose?” They heard Mrs. Ross speak and then the sound of her footsteps departing.
Allan poked his head in. “Hello there, Merrick, how are you? I was worried for a while there.” He came in and pulled up a chair next to the bed. “I’m sorry about what happened, old boy. You were out for three days and nights.”
“Hmm…”
“I suppose you wo
n’t be joining us again for a while, eh?”
“Nay, Allan, I guess I won’t. I want you to play the role of host while I recover from this. Would you do that for me?” Merrick said, eyeing his cousin.
“Of course, old boy. It can’t be that hard, just organize some outing until the ball, and then they’ll all be gone.” Allan smiled.
“Thanks, Allan.” Merrick yawned as the sedative began to take effect.
“Well, I see I’ve tired you so,” Allan said and got up. “Hope you feel better soon, Merrick.” He turned and walked out the room.
Christine went after him and shut the door. When she came back, Merrick was asleep; his breathing was deep and even. She went and pulled the blanket up to his chin. She silently thanked God for not taking him away from her. When she stood up, she looked around, and her gaze fell upon the medicine bottle. It would be difficult to make him drink it at any time. She took the bottle and poured a small portion into the teapot.
* * *
Merrick woke up to see the room had darkened. He looked around, feeling his head at the same time. It still ached. He gritted his teeth.
There was a fire in the hearth even though it was a warm summer night. He had no doubt whose idea that was. The fire gave the room a lovely golden glow. There was a single candle on the bedside table.
He pushed himself up into a sitting position. His hand crept down the blanket and touched a finger. It felt very warm.
Christine was asleep sitting on a chair next to the bed. Merrick moved off the bed and gently lifted her up. He placed her on the bed and tucked her in. Once he thought she was cozy, he kissed her forehead. Then he stood up and wandered to the window. His throat felt dry. He tried to swallow but it hurt. He went to the table and poured himself a drink. He almost choked. The tea was cold, but he drank it anyway.
* * *
Christine’s eyes fluttered opened. She stretched her aching back. God, that felt good. In fact, she felt very comfortable. She looked around the room in the dimness of the candlelight. She realized that she was in Merrick’s bed. She sat up, wondering where he could have gone to.
She sensed somebody moving at the far side of the room. She looked in that direction and saw a dark, big shadow moving toward her. The way the shadow was moving slowly scared her. She scrambled off the bed. Just as she got one foot on the floor, a strong hand grabbed her and roughly pulled her back onto the bed.
“No, let go!” she cried. She hit him on his chest three times without even putting a tiny scratch on him. He caught her hands and told her to stop hitting him.
He pushed her down on the bed. Her head rested on the soft pillows. She saw him lowering himself toward her. Panicked, Christine pushed herself up, but he pressed her back down again. She heard him laugh. It was a low, resonant sound, and it caused her body to shudder in response. One of his hands was holding on to her arm to prevent her from hitting him. The other was behind her neck, and his legs were on top of her own, imprisoning them. She could feel the strength of him on top of her. She took a deep breath and struggled once more, hoping he would let her go, but he just tightened his hold on her and gave another disturbing laugh.
“No!” she said breathlessly.
God, Merrick thought, but she was a beautiful creature, and he started to kiss her throat.
Christine froze. She blinked.
Merrick’s kiss traveled lower.
She blinked again, her heart beating furiously. There were fireworks in the pit of her stomach. She put a trembling hand on his back. She could feel his muscles rippling beneath her palms.
Merrick stopped his kissing and looked into her eyes. He almost laughed aloud when he saw her. She looked confused and adorable. He couldn’t help himself, and so he kissed her lips. He opened his mouth, pushing his tongue against her sealed lips, pressuring them to open.
Christine could feel the man pushing, forcing her lips to open. What in heaven was he doing? She could feel the pressure on her arm easing. He was applying more concentration in trying to get her to open her mouth. The damn man was hurting her lips. She freed her arm from captivity and started to hit him. He caught her arm again and forced her to stay still. She shook her head from side to side to make him release her mouth.
He stroked her arm, caressing the small, delicate form, molding it against his hungry hand. Then his hand moved and cupped her breast, squeezing it with his large palm, molding the nipple to a thick rosebud.
Christine gasped as his hand fondling her breast sent lightning sensations down her spine and to the pit of her stomach. She groaned and opened her mouth, and just as quickly Merrick slid his tongue inside, capturing the sweetness he longed to possess and explore.
Christine’s whole body froze again. Her blood ran wild. She groaned for more. God, how could the man make her feel this way? This was heaven.
Merrick lifted his head and looked down at her. He saw the desire in her eyes.
She stared up at him and sensed that he was very familiar to her.
“Am I hurting you, love?” he asked.
Christine blinked twice before she realized that he was talking to her. Oh God. She realized then that it was Merrick.
“God, you’re beautiful.”
Christine blinked again. Then her eyes flew wide open as realization sank in. He was in a delirium. That was what Dr. Liam was afraid of. Merrick was in a delirium, thinking that she was his dead wife.
“I want to make love to you every night, my sweet,” he whispered into her ear.
Christine gasped, her heart felt heavy in her chest. He loved Lady Anne. Tears misted her eyes.
Merrick felt the shudder of her body. He looked at her in concern. There in the dimmed light, he could see tears staining her cheeks. He wiped them away with his thumb. “Love, did I do something to hurt you?” he asked again.
He was consumed with love, love for Anne.
Christine sobbed and then hiccupped. “Nay, Merrick,” she managed.
“Good, now stop crying. I love you, Chr—”
What the! Suddenly, he felt very dizzy and very tired. He could feel his eyelids dropping, ready to shut. His mind blanked out. He blinked twice. He blinked again, and then nothing—
Merrick dropped his head over Christine’s shoulder. His breathing was slow and deep. He was asleep. With a heavy heart, she put her arms around him, feeling him, giving him all her love even though he didn’t need, didn’t want her love. Nay, he needed, he wanted Lady Anne’s love.
Christine sobbed again, more tears spilling down her cheeks.
FOURTEEN
“Such a horrible accident, my lord,” Mrs. Robinson said. “I was there, during those few horrible seconds. It’s there in my mind. It was awful, and then, goodness, how I prayed to the Lord. I doubted that you would’ve survived at all, my lord. But a miracle was on your side for you’ve survived.”
“I do agree with Mrs. Robinson, my lord,” Mrs. Wilson said. “It was rather a nasty accident, I dare say. Isn’t that right, dear?” She turned to her daughter.
Jane nodded in turn.
“Now that you’re well enough, my lord, I’m sure you’ll be joining us again?” Anne asked hopefully.
“Indeed,” Merrick said.
Maria stared at them for a while. She clenched her teeth. Merrick hadn’t even glanced her way the whole evening. He had offered all his attention to those two daft girls. Well, she’d regain his attention soon enough, she promised herself.
Max stared as Maria ogled Merrick. He said, “The food is not to your taste this evening, Maria?”
Maria turned her beautiful head in Max’s direction and glared at him. She saw the cold blue eyes staring back at her. She shivered. This man could really kill a woman with his icy stare, she thought. “Nothing, Your Grace,” she muttered.
“What? ‘Your Grace’? No, ‘Max, darling’?” Max laughed.
Merrick turned to look at his friend. Mrs. Robinson saw that some of the guests were becoming uncomfortable at this exchange a
nd decided to end the meal.
“Well, I suppose we ladies should retire to the drawing room then.” She stood up and led the way to the door. The women followed her out. Maria managed to be the last to stand, and she placed her hand on Merrick’s shoulder. She trailed her fingers along his arm as she walked around his chair as if she were caressing him. He looked up at her and saw the sensual invitation in her smile.
“Well, gentlemen, good dinner I’d say,” Lord Queensbury said, emptying his wineglass once the women had left.
“I’d say so, brother, and I think it’s because the earl’s presence lifted the atmosphere,” Mr. Wilson said.
“I wouldn’t say that; I’ve noticed a certain lady is not very happy this evening, and I think you know who I mean, my lord,” Robert said.
Merrick emptied his glass and looked Robert straight in the eye. His stare demanded an answer to his challenge. Robert dropped his eyes first in defeat.
Allan got off his seat and took the chair that Lady Anne had just vacated. “Well, Merrick, I’ve introduced you to Mr. McLean. What do you say about our business plan?” he asked.
Merrick looked across the table at the fat man with bright red hair. He did not like that man.
“Tell me, Allan, how did you become acquainted with that man?”
“Lady Queensbury introduced him to me, of course, but why do you want to know that? Tell me, Merrick, about our ideas.”
Merrick stared at Mclean. He did not trust him. He thought himself a good judge of character, and this one, his gut instinct told him, was not to be trusted. “Nay, Allan, I don’t think so,” he said.
“What?” Allan leaned closer. “Merrick, it’s a good idea. Don’t turn it down; this is your only chance,” he pressured.
“My only chance or your only chance, Allan?” Merrick raised a brow at his cousin.
“Do you really mean it then?” The younger man frowned.
“Yes, Allan, I really mean it,” Merrick said.
“Very well.” Allan stood and walked back to his chair.