A Vengeful Viscount by Tammy Andresen

Author:Tammy Andresen
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER NINE

Nellie opened her eyes, feeling as though she was looking at the world while deep under the surface of water.

Distantly, she heard hushed voices and struggled to focus on them, understand the words and identify the speakers. One was male, the other…her mother.

Darkness filled the room, penetrated only by the flicker of a few candles and the fire that burned low in the grate. What time of the night was it? How long had she been asleep?

“This is why I recommended rest.”

Nellie attempted to pry her eyelids open, finally succeeding. Before her was a hazy view of her mother and a man, though she couldn’t place him.

“She needs to wed, Dr. Wineman. It’s important for everyone’s future. It’s too much responsibility for a person in her condition and I need…” Her mother’s voice tapered off.

“She can court from a chair.”

Nellie was always tired after an attack like the one she’d had, and she tried to lift a hand only to find that her arm refused to move. Were her muscles that weak?

“Mother,” she croaked out, alarm ringing through her voice. She tugged again, relieved to feel her arms but also…something was holding them at her side. “What’s…”

“Shh…” Mother crooned, coming to her side and placing a hand at her forehead.

Nellie blinked her eyes several more times to clear her vision. She’d been strapped to her bed, she could feel the leather ties. A cloth covered her chest, but underneath—she was bare.

Her breath shortened as she lifted her head. “Why am I…”

“Hush now.” Her mother stroked her hair back, putting her other hand on her shoulder.

“Keep her quiet,” the doctor bit out. “We won’t clean the blood if she has another attack.”

Clean the blood? She swallowed down the bile that rose in her throat. They were doing another bloodletting.

“I don’t like them,” she said, her breath only picking up. “Take them off.”

“Nellie,” her mother said, pressing a bit harder on her forehead. “You know that the doctor knows best.”

“Lord Northville said not to.”

“Lord Northville isn’t here and he isn’t a doctor.” Mother’s tone grew sharp and for a moment Nellie shrank into herself. Where was he? But the fog cleared a bit more. He’d gone to chase Gyla.

He had brought her in first. Had he lost his quarry in doing so? Regret, along with gratitude, washed through her, but also…she wished he was here now. She could use his strength.

She hated hurting her mother. They were all the other had but in this moment, she knew she had to start speaking for herself. “I understand, Mother, but his wishes were clear.”

Her mother tsked. “Are his intentions clear? Because Lord Gyla has stated matter-of-factly that he wishes to wed you and we need that sort of assurance.”

“Lord Gyla is the reason I am in this bed.” Anger swelled inside her.

“Don’t be ridiculous. It was Lord Northville who took you outside and then brought you back in this state. Didn’t even explain—he just left.”

“It wasn’t Lord Northville. He and I parted before

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