His Noble Promise by Adrienne Basso

Author:Adrienne Basso [Basso, Adrienne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780759275935
Publisher: E-Reads
Published: 2013-11-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Anne gazed fretfully at her sister. Nicole was stretched out like a martyred saint upon the bed with an abundant amount of pillows behind her shoulders and a rolled blanket propped beneath her wounded leg. The physician had come and gone, declaring her injuries minor ones. He had cleaned and bandaged Nicole's scraped knee and poked and probed at her swollen ankle until Nicole had cried out for him to stop.

With a superior air common to many men of his profession, the physician had departed, promising to return in a few days to check on the patient's progress. Once alone with her younger sister, Anne had wanted nothing more than to sit and listen to a detailed account of Nicole's ride back to the house with the rakish Captain Nightingall, but the good doctor had prescribed a sleeping draught that Nicole had obediently swallowed.

It put her promptly to sleep. Feeling restless and hesitant to leave, Anne observed Nicole silently as she slept. How sweet and young Nicole looked. How naive and innocent. Anne's mind churned. How long would Nicole remain that way?

Anne sighed and stared blankly at the green velvet pleats that graced the elaborate canopy over the bed.

Nicole turned onto her side, whimpering softly. Her eyes did not open. Anne felt sympathy for the obvious pain Nicole was suffering but admitted she was more concerned about her sister's future injuries than her current ones.

The flushed expression on Nicole's lovely face and the sly half-smile on her lips when Miles Nightingall had carried her into the house a few hours ago had brought on feelings of near-panic in Anne.

“Where is her bedchamber?” Captain Nightingall had inquired.

“My goodness,” Anne exclaimed in a high voice. His question flustered her completely even though his voice was toneless and his handsome face marred by a persistent scowl.

“Upstairs,” Nicole whispered sweetly. “In the west wing."

Anne stared at them, mesmerized by the intimate portrait they presented, the very picture of an eager groom and his beautiful bride on their wedding night.

“The doctor will arrive shortly. It is unnecessary for you to bring Nicole above stairs,” Anne was finally able to say, after taking a few moments to gather herself together. “It would be best to leave her in one of the front drawing rooms. The couch in the gold salon is rather long and plush."

“I prefer to be examined in the comfort and privacy of my bedchamber,” Nicole stated firmly. She smiled flirtatiously at Captain Nightingall. “Do you mind carrying me upstairs, sir?"

Anne went speechless with horror. It was almost beyond improper for him to enter Nicole's bedchamber.

“I'll call for a servant,” Anne improvised quickly. “It will take but a moment."

“No need,” Captain Nightingall replied. “I have matters well in hand."

With the grace of a born athlete he strolled casually past Anne. Nicole rested easily in the cradle of his arms.

The sound of his booted heels clicking loudly on the black and white marble floor in the large foyer were a stark reminder of his superior strength and will.

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