“Am I dreaming?”
Adel pulled her hand back and gasped at the low, gravely sound of Griffin’s voice.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said as he watched her take a step back from the bed. “If I had known my question would have caused you to stop your exploration, I would never have uttered a word.”
Adel blushed furiously. “I wasn’t exploring your body.”
“You weren’t?” he asked skeptically, making her blush further.
“I was just…inspecting you, to see if you were well.”
His eyes bore into her, though she refused to look directly at him. “I am not certain that I am. By all means, you must continue your inspection. Please,” he urged, “tell me if I am well.”
She wanted to reach forth and touch his bare skin once more, but wasn’t certain she could be so bold. Instead she asked, “What did the physician say?”
“Honestly, I do not know. This is the first time I have been with it since carrying you from the carriage. Go ahead, look at my arm and tell me what you think my prognosis is.” When she hesitated he continued, “You had no problem touching me when you thought I was asleep. Perhaps if I close my eyes you will resume your ministrations.” He closed his eyes to test his theory.
Adel watched him, more tempted to oblige than she would ever admit, though her cowardice prevented her from acting on her impulses. Suddenly, without warning, Griffin reached his good arm across his body and pulled her on top of him.
Adel squealed as she protested. “Griffin, you are going to hurt yourself. Let me go.”
“An injury to my person will be worth it,” he countered. “I am not letting you go until I say my piece.”
Adel tried desperately to ignore the impropriety of the situation, but the feel of his large, solid body beneath her made it hard to ignore. She tried once more to get up, but his good arm held her firmly to him. “Griffin, I promise I will not flee if you let me go. I am worried that you are going to cause yourself further harm, and I do not wish to be party to that.”
“I told you I wasn’t letting you go until I had my say, so hold still and listen.”
Adel swallowed loudly, oddly excited by the determined resolve in his voice. Against her better judgment, she remained on top of him, staring down into his chiseled face, waiting for him to continue.
Chapter 19
Griffin attempted to calm his racing heart. He had dreamed about a moment such as this since the minute he had laid eyes on Adel, but his dreams paled in comparison to the reality of having her lush body on top of his. He silently cursed his luck that it should happen when he was injured and unable to seduce her the way he would have liked to have done.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he realized that he was wrong—he didn’t truly desire to seduce her and ruin her, he only desired to love her the way a real man loves a woman, to show her how badly he wanted and needed her, and not just her body. He groaned in delicious agony as he closed his eyes to block her beautiful face from his sight. If he kept looking into her emerald eyes, he might not be able to contain himself.
“I know that you probably still hate me,” he started, his voice quiet but firm, “and I have sufficient reason to be angry with you as well, but the moment that I saw Lord Moncreif aim his pistol at you and vow that he was going to kill you, I knew that my love for you far outweighed my anger.”
He opened his eyes slowly to stare into her face, to gauge her reaction to his declaration, but instead of seeing her smiling in pleasure, as he had expected, her lips were twisted into a frown. “I do not understand why you have cause to be angry with me.”
Griffin sighed. “Did you honestly think that writing a damning article about my brother-in-law would bear no consequence? You brought harm upon Rose and nearly got yourself killed. If I hadn’t arrived at Terrace Manor in time, you would be dead right now!” His voice had risen to an angry whisper as he spoke.
“I did not write the blasted article,” Adel spit out vehemently. “I quit the column before I left London. I haven’t submitted a word since. I cannot believe you think me capable of doing something so hurtful. I would never do anything to hurt Rose or to bring her harm.
Griffin looked at her shrewdly. “Oh, but you have no qualms about hurting me?”
Adel looked affronted. “What do you mean?”
“Do you forget that you swore to expose my bet to the entire city of London as retribution?”
“But I never did it,” she pointed out.
“But you would have.”
Adel stiffened atop him, and before he could stop her, she had scurried off of him. He was momentarily distracted by the glimpse of creamy thigh he caught when her nightdress slid up indecently, though she regrettably made haste to cover herself entirely.
“I thought you knew me better than that.” Her chin was tilted defiantly into the air, but her shaking voice and trembling lip betrayed her true feelings.
“You vowed to seek revenge when we last spoke at my townhouse. I had never seen a woman so keen on retribution and so filled with hate. How was I to know that it was all an act?”
“It wasn’t an act. I left that day fully intending to follow through on my word, but after some time, I knew that despite how foolish you made me feel, I would never do that to you.” Her eyes were shining with unshed tears as she looked at him, “You hurt me, but I could never hate you.”
Her admission pierced his heart. She looked so vulnerable as she stood there, confessing to him that she didn’t in fact hate him. Ignoring his injuries and his body’s current state of frailty, he swung his legs over the bed and made to rise. The minute he stood he knew it hadn’t been wise—his head was spinning while his legs were shaking underneath him. He quickly sat on the bed, afraid that if he didn’t do so he’d fall and embarrass himself.
“You told me once that more than poetry and extravagant gifts you wanted my honesty and that is what I gave you. I’m sorry that it hurt you, but I feared lying to you would hurt you worse in the end.”
Adel took a step towards him. He made a valid point, though she had never expected his honesty to hurt so much. When he groaned in agony, her face scrunched up in concern. “Griffin, lay back down. It is not wise for you to try and exert yourself. I shouldn’t have come. I hadn’t intended on upsetting you, I just needed to see you and let you know that I didn’t write that article, and thank you for saving my life.”
“Are you certain?” he spit out between ground teeth. His jaw clenched tight as the pain in his arm intensified.
“Certain that I am grateful for your heroics or certain that I did not pen an article about Lord Moncreif? I am aghast that you would question my sincerity about either subject. I wrote a letter to my correspondence at The Morning Post before I ever left London. It has been nearly a fortnight since I penned the column. I haven’t a clue as to who would have taken over as Mrs. Tiddlyswan since my departure. All I know is that it was not me. I assume they hired another vulnerable debutante to take over where I left off. And as far as my gratitude to you goes, yes, it is very sincere.”
Despite the discomfort in his arm, Griffin couldn’t take his eyes off Adel. He watched her stand before him defending herself, and he wished more than anything that he could go to her, take her into his arms and kiss her senseless.
“If it wasn’t for you, I would be dead, or at the very least, injured. I left London feeling as if I hated you.” She paused to swallow the lump in her throat caused by her emotions. “But I realize that is no longer true.”
“You no longer hate me?” he asked hopefully.
“No,” she admitted, “I do not. I’ve had time to reflect on my actions, our actions, while I have been here. I know that I was wrong to write as Mrs. Tiddlyswan, but when I began penning the column, I did it solely for a diversion from my sadness, to distract me from the pain of going about my first season without my mother’s presence. I had an epiphany of sorts where I came to realize that perhaps that is
why you participated in that ridiculous bet—in an effort to seek diversion from your pain as well.” She paused, giving him a shaky smile. “We’re very similar, you and I.”
Griffin smiled despite his discomfort. “I hate to disappoint you, but I have been participating in bets with my friends since we were young—long before my mother died.”
“But had the stakes always been so high?”
“No,” he replied honestly, taking a moment to think about the possibility that what she said was true. He had to admit that since his mother had died he had grown more careless in his dealings, more heartless. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps he had concocted the bet to distract himself from his real feelings, feelings of loneliness and pain that he tried desperately to keep hidden.
His eyes softened as he looked at her. “I never realized how lonely I was until you came into my life. Come here,” he urged her, lowering his voice a notch.
“I don’t wish to hurt you any further,” she whispered and he watched with frustration as she stood firmly rooted in place. He became certain in that moment that unless he exaggerated the truth a little, she would never do as he wished. “I’m not sure I can lie down without your help. My arm…it’s hurting terribly.” He looked at her then, giving her his saddest look.
He had to tamper down his smile as she huffed and walked towards him, bending so that she could place her arm around his chest as she used her other arm to push gently at his side, hoping to force him to lie down in the bed. But instead of flopping down onto the mattress, he pulled her effortlessly into his lap, ignoring the throbbing pain in his arm.
Adel gasped as he lowered his head to hers and whispered fiercely, “I’m not letting you leave me again without telling you this—that bet was foolish, regardless of what my motives may have been. I was wrong to dare Benedict to do something so stupid and I should never have agreed to let him choose my wife. However, I am not sorry that he chose you, for I was intrigued with you long before he ever uttered your name. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew there was something different about you. I regret the events that led to my pursuit of you, but I do not for one minute regret getting to know you and I will never regret falling hopelessly, madly, deeply in love with you. Never.”
Adel sucked in a sharp breath as she stared into his dark eyes, eyes so black that you would think it would be impossible to read them, but in that moment it was as if she could see everything clearly.
“Please forgive me,” he whispered urgently. “Please let me prove my love to you. Please, just promise me you’ll give me another chance. Now that I’ve had you in my life I know that I could never go back to the way I was before. You’ve filled a void in me that I thought would forever remain empty.” He nuzzled his head into the contour of her neck, breathing deeply of her subtle floral scent. “I promise to spend every second of the rest of my life trying to make you happy. Will you marry me, Adel?”
Before she could respond, his lips had found hers. They were hesitant at first, as if he were waiting to see if she would respond in kind. Adel held still for several seconds, relishing the way his lips felt against hers. They felt as if they belonged there, as if they had been specifically created to mold perfectly with hers.
Afraid she was giving him the wrong impression by her hesitancy, she deepened the kiss and shivered as he sighed her name reverently against her lips, before using his uninjured arm to pull her even closer. She was consumed with him, surrounded by the taste of his mouth, his unique masculine smell, the feel of his firm, muscled chest beneath her hands. For the second time that day she felt as if she were drowning, but this time she feared being rescued, for she wanted nothing more than to be swallowed up in the depths of this man’s love.
It wasn’t until Griffin pulled back and groaned that the haze of passion lifted abruptly. His face was contorted with pain. Regret washed over Adel as she pulled back to look at him. “Oh Griffin, this wasn’t wise of us. You are hurting.”
He nodded his head, not bothering to deny it. Small beads of sweat gathered along his brow and forehead. Panicking, Adel glanced at his bandaged arm and gasped. The previously white bandage was now stained a bright red. Hopping off of his lap she felt his forehead. He was burning up.
“Griffin, you need to lie down,” she cried. He nodded obediently as she helped him into the bed. “I will go get help.” He nodded as his jaw clenched together in pain. She knew she needed to hurry, but she didn’t want to leave him without telling him she loved him first.
She reached for his hand, placing her shaking hand inside of his much larger one. “I love you, Griffin, and yes, I will marry you.” She watched as his eyes drifted closed without a response. Had he heard her? Her heart broke at the possibility that he hadn’t, but her disappointment was quickly replaced by the urgent need she felt to get him help.
Grabbing the candle from the nightstand she fled from the room, unsure of where she should go to get help. Not knowing where else to turn, she returned to her room calling out, “Aunt Tabitha, wake up.” It took her several firm shakes to rouse her snoring aunt.
“What is wrong child? Why are you not in bed?” Aunt Tabitha asked, bolting straight out of her chair.
“It’s Griffin, he needs help.”
“Oh dear child, you are shaking,” her aunt pointed out. “Get back in bed, and I will go fetch someone to see to Lord Straton.”
“No, I am going with you,” Adel said firmly.
“I won’t allow it. There is nothing you can do for him. I refuse to go for help until you crawl back into that bed.”
“But he’s bleeding, and his skin is so hot,” she sobbed, her concern for Griffin making her feel hysterical.
Aunt Tabitha placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “Get in bed, child. I promise I will get him help at once.”
Adel nodded then watched as Aunt Tabitha scurried from the room faster than she had ever seen her move before. She stood for a moment, debating whether she had the strength to follow after her. She suddenly felt weary, as if her body was trying to tell her that it wouldn’t be wise. She hesitantly crawled back into her bed, pulling her covers up around her hoping their warmth would somehow comfort her.
She wasn’t sure how long she lay there crying and fretting, but eventually Aunt Tabitha returned. Adel sat up in her bed. “How is he?”
Aunt Tabitha sighed as she moved towards the bed. “I’d be lying to you if I said he was well. Thankfully, your father convinced the physician to stay the night in the case of unforeseen trouble. He cleaned and re-bandaged the wound and was able to force some laudanum down his throat. One of the maids is sitting with him now, placing cool rags on his body in an attempt to cool him. The physician is afraid that infection may have set in. If that is the case, there isn’t much anyone can do.”
Adel panicked at the thought, “There’s got to be something more they can do.” She made to rise. “He saved my life. Perhaps there is something I can do to save his.”
Aunt Tabitha was gentle but firm as she placed one hand on Adel’s shoulder to keep her from rising. “Child, I assure you that, if there is something that the physician can do to help him, he will do it. There is nothing you can do. Now I need you to lie down and get some rest. You are still recovering from your own debacle. It wouldn’t do for you to make yourself sick.”
Adel reluctantly agreed, though it frustrated her to no end to feel helpless as Griffin’s life was in jeopardy. Muttering prayers over and over in her head, she eventually fell into a fitful slumber.
Chapter 20
After a long bath in front of the fire in her bedchamber, Adel was finally feeling somewhat revived. Aunt Tabitha had tried to convince her to remain in bed while she sent for a tray of food to be delivered, but Adel was anxious to check on Griffin and knew that staying locked up in her chambers would only frustrate her.
As she approached Griffin’s bedchamber, the physician slid from the room, pulling the door shut firmly behind him. “How is he?” she asked with conce
rn.
The older gentleman gave her a kind look over the rim of his spectacles. “He is still burning up with fever. I just administered another dose of laudanum to assist with his comfort. A maid is in there now bathing him with cold cloths.”
Adel wrung her hands nervously. “Is there more that can be done?”
The man was thoughtful for a moment. “If his fever does not break soon, the only thing left to do is to let his blood.”
She closed her eyes against the thought and sighed, “If it will help, then it must be done.”
“Yes, my thoughts exactly.”
Adel watched as the physician retreated down the hall. She paused before Griffin’s door, wishing she could go to him but knowing she would only get in the way. Finally, she withdrew, reluctantly finding her way to the breakfast room where several people were breaking their fast.
Katherine rose from the table immediately, coming to stand before her. “Adel, are you certain that it is wise for you to be up?” Hooking her arm round Adel’s, she began directing her back where she had come from. “I will assist you to your bedchamber.”
Adel pulled her arm from Katherine’s. “I appreciate your concern, but truly, I think that I am well enough to partake of breakfast. In fact, I am feeling quite famished.”
“But of course,” Katherine said as she led her to a seat at the table then grabbed a plate and moved to the sideboard to dish up a plate of food for Adel.
Adel looked around at the faces at the table, all intently staring at her. Her father looked relieved to see her up and about. She gave him a warm smile before glancing at Aunt Tabitha then onto Rose. As her eyes settled on the girls swollen and bruised face, she couldn’t help inhaling sharply.
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