Lord Deverill's Heir by Catherine Coulter (best books to read all time .TXT) 📗

“Did I tell you that you are more precious to me than my gun collection?”

“Not yet. However, I do not want you to feel coerced. If you don’t wish to say that just yet, I will understand. Perhaps you should work up to that, my lord, for it is a big step.”

“All right then,” he said as he pulled a chair up next to her and sat down. “I will take your advice and not rush things.” He leaned forward then, kissed her, lightly ran his fingertips over her nose, her cheeks, the line of her jaw. “If you are truly worthy, I will even wash your hair for you.”

He saw the excitement in her gray eyes. Her hair was on the edge, a thick braid laying limp over her shoulder. “I should like that more than anything. Tell me how to be worthy enough.” That was a kick right to his groin. “Ah, I cannot have that expectation of you just yet. Like my gun collection, it must wait a while.” She didn’t understand and he hadn’t really expected her to. He gave her a shameless grin and patted her cheek. “All right, perhaps this evening.

No, don’t argue. I want you to rest here for a good long time, then we will dine together. If you still look as kissable tonight as you do right now, I will allow you to have your way.” She smiled at him, very possibly the most beautiful smile he had ever been granted in his life. He drew a deep breath, kissed her again and once more, then straightened at the sound of a throat clearing in the doorway.

“Ah, Paul, you are here to annoy us?”

Arabella tried to pull the afghan higher. The pain from the simple movement made her wince.

The earl gently raised her hand and laid it beside her again. “I told you I expect you to rest. Any strain on your shoulder isn’t on the list. Obey me, Arabella, or I will let Paul do something vile to you.”

“At least you have finally allowed me a nightgown.”

“I didn’t particularly want to,” the earl said, kissing her yet again,

“but Paul insisted. He told me that he didn’t want me distracted in that manner, not for another good two weeks.”

“Did I really say that?” Dr. Branyon said, coming to them. “My dear,” he said, and immediately laid his palm on her forehead. Then he leaned down to listen to her heart. Finally, he lifted her wrist. “Ah,” he said finally. “I am such a good physician that I have even surprised myself.

It’s been only a week and just look at you, Bella. Looking beautiful and soft as butter. Here’s your even more beautiful mother. Ann, come here and treat your daughter to your presence.” Arabella laughed. Another laugh, the earl thought, so pleased he wanted to shout with it.

Dr. Branyon briefly examined her shoulder, then straightened again, nodding. “Excellent, just excellent.”

Lady Ann patted her daughter’s hand. “I would have brought Elsbeth with me, but she is riding with Lord Graybourn. Naturally he is no longer staying at Talgarth Hall. That would be pushing Aurelia’s good nature far too far. No, he is currently residing at The Traitor’s Crown, in the very best room Mrs. Current could manage. Now, my darling, tell me. Have these two gentlemen been provoking you?”

“Oh no, Mama, even Dr. Branyon hasn’t prodded me too much. As for my lord here, why, he has promised to wash my hair for me tonight.”

“That’s true,” the earl said, “but only if she obeys me. In all things.” Lady Ann blinked at this, then chuckled. “This besotted peace between the two of you is beginning to alarm me. It isn’t natural somehow. Arabella, please regain your strength soon. I want you to stand toe to toe to Justin again. I want to hear the two of you yelling at each other.”

“Never,” said the earl.

“Oh no, Mama,” said Arabella. “He is a saint. He is perfect.” Lady Ann began counting off fingers.

“What are you doing, Mama?”

“I am deciding how many days from now my wish will be granted. I even will make a wager on it. I think eight days and then the two of you will be ready for a good shouting match. I do look forward to it. It will be time to make Evesham Abbey a home again.”

“That is one way of looking at things,” the earl said.

“Eight days, Mama? That’s all you give us?”

“It just might be sufficient,” the earl said, and clasped her fingers.

“I just remembered something,” Dr. Branyon said suddenly to the earl.

“Justin, you were on the point of telling Ann and me something when Arabella woke. What was that? Yes, I know it was five days ago. Do you remember if it was important? I remember you said something about if only you hadn’t strung the comte along, then perhaps things would have happened differently.”

The earl released Arabella’s fingers. “I had completely forgotten about them. Just a moment, please.” He rose and walked to the small desk that was in the far corner of the huge bedchamber. He came back carrying the emerald and diamond necklace. The green stones glittered in the bright sunlight.

“The necklace?” Arabella said. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“That night when we faced down Gervaise I was holding out the emeralds in my hand, taunting him with them. Then I tossed them to him as if they meant nothing at all. Well, the truth is that the emeralds are worthless.

They’re paste, as are the diamonds. That is what I should have told him.

If he had known that, perhaps he wouldn’t have chosen the path he did.”

“Actually,” Arabella said after a moment, “I don’t think it would have made much difference. I think it would have served only to enrage him all the more, that is, if he had even believed you.”

“You’re right,” the earl said after a moment, his