Espionage and the Earl by Win Hollows

Author:Win Hollows [Hollows, Win]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

When the doctor came, Max left the room so the older man could examine her wounds. Elorie clenched her teeth when the dressings came off, and the doctor applied strong alcohol first and then a cream of some kind that smelled like her mother’s tooth-whitening powder, shoe-shine, and lip balm all at once. After the man had re-wrapped her torso, humming all the while, he lowered her night rail in a professional manner and drew the sheets up over her once more. After warning her to take her laudanum tonight, he took his leave to go report her condition to Max. Although she supposed he was paying for her medical care, she didn’t like Max knowing everything about her body without her say-so.

A wave of terror clamped her stomach as another thought came: her body would no longer be her own in less than a month. It would forever be the plaything of the Duke of Morley. Women who married for titles and security had all faced this and accepted it, she knew, and yet she raged inside at the mere thought of it.

She had thought about killing him once they were married. Something innocuous like a poisonous sedative, undetectable and unsuspicious. No pain. It would solve all her pesky problems, and she wouldn’t have too many regrets about offing such a cretin. Her conscience had always been clear of such things, knowing that certain men, and women for that matter, did more bad for the world than good. It was simply a fact that more lives would be made better if those sorts of people were no longer breathing.

Yet the Duke must have thought of such plots, for he’d stipulated in their betrothal contract that her family would only be supported by a monthly stipend while he was alive, and all funds tied to the estate were to be spent exclusively by his estate manager. She couldn’t leave Celise without the means for a debut season and the chance of being well-cared for. Perhaps once Celise was married and settled in a decade or so…

Elorie watched as Bridget walked past her bedchamber door, humming to herself as she went. She certainly hoped Max’s staff was as discreet as he claimed, for her reputation would be in ruins if anyone were to know she was here alone with the very eligible and very handsome Earl of Eydris. No one would ever believe she was a virgin if this got out. But more importantly, the duke wouldn’t believe it either.

Oh, it was such a mess. She had been a fool to think she could leave her life in the Hand without consequences. It would be a miracle if her parents didn’t flog her for leaving London without their permission, assuming the even greater miracle of no one ever finding out she had really been at Maxwell Berisford’s Estate this whole time. She wouldn’t believe she was a virgin either, if she were honest.

First thing tomorrow morning, she would write to

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