quite a shock, I think,’ Mrs Hampton said. ‘You are looking quite pale.’
She was also feeling dizzy. ‘Yes, I would like to return to the Abbey.’
She took a step. Pain lanced up her leg. Nausea pushed up her throat. The world did a cartwheel. She clutched at the nearest solid object. The earl’s arm. He caught her, held her up, the warmth of his body permeating her clothes, the scent of his cologne, something dark and musky, making her senses swim even worse.
She leaned against his strength.
‘You are hurt,’ Jeffrey said accusingly.
‘It is nothing,’ she said, flushing hot, pulling away from the earl. ‘I twisted my ankle when I fell.’
The earl’s eyes widened—something hot flared in their depths. Shock? Or annoyance that her injuries were so minor? ‘Jeffrey,’ he barked out, ‘do something useful. Ride for the doctor and have him come to the Abbey right away.’
Jeffrey’s blue eyes flashed resentment. His lips compressed. Then he gave a stiff nod. ‘I will see you there.’ He marched off up the hill.
‘Are you able to walk, Miss Wilding?’ the earl asked in an unexpectedly gentle tone of voice. ‘If I support you?’ He offered his forearm. His large well-muscled forearm. It looked like a lifeline from where she stood with all her weight on one foot. Yet, was it not the same arm that had pushed the barrel at her in the first place? She wished she knew for certain, so she could charge him with his crime. But she wasn’t sure. Had he actually seen his chance and decided to put his drastic plan in action?
‘I am sure I can manage.’ She took a step and stifled a gasp at the sudden arrow of pain.
‘Apparently not,’ he said drily.
Before she knew what he was about, he had swept her up in his arms and was striding uphill. Never had she ever been picked up by a man. She could not believe the strength of him. Or how weak the sensation made her feel. And not just because of her injury. It was a strange softness. One from the inside out.
The intensity of it made her gasp. She clutched at his shoulder for balance and he glanced down at her, his gaze a blaze of silver as if he somehow sensed her strange reaction.
Her blood ran hot at the thought.
He lifted his head and looked straight ahead, his mouth tightening, his chest rising as he took a deep breath. ‘Not long now, Miss Wilding.’
He sounded relieved. Clearly he couldn’t wait to be rid of her. The thought was dreadfully lowering.
There was certainly nothing in his rigid face of the skilled seducer who had kissed her hand in the dressing room. Perhaps he had been merely toying with her, as a cat toys with a mouse. Seeking to put her off guard.
It had almost worked. Her stomach dipped. ‘I am sure I could walk, given time,’ she said stiffly.
‘You would only make matters worse,’ he said grimly. ‘And who knows what would befall you next?’
‘It wasn’t my fault the barrel broke free.’
‘You should have remained with your chaperon and nothing would have happened. Next time, perhaps, you will listen.’ His voice was silky soft with menace.
He’d known she wouldn’t stay with Mrs Hampton, otherwise why he had warned the Revenue man down at the dock? And then he’d been right there, at the top of the hill, waiting beside the cart. She had recognised him, even though she’d only caught a quick glimpse. And he was the only one who would profit by her death.
A shudder rippled deep in her bones. And her heart ached as if it had received a blow.
Chapter Seven
‘Well, doctor? Is it broken?’ The earl stood in the doorway of her chamber, watching the doctor’s every move while Mary lay supine on her bed. His voice was unnecessarily harsh, Mary thought, trying not to wince as the doctor poked and prodded at the swollen flesh of her ankle, then gently rotated her foot.
Pain. She hissed in a breath and closed her eyes.
‘Be careful, man,’ the earl said, his voice sounding strained.
Mary opened her eyes and saw his fist clenched on the doorframe, his face filled with concern.
Sympathy. Something she had not expected from him. And for a moment it warmed her, until reason prevailed. While her heart might be fooled into thinking he cared, she was far too realistic to be taken in. The only person he cared about was himself and the stupid inheritance. Now