Lady Caroline and the Egotistical Earl by Terry Spear

Author:Terry Spear
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance sweet romance terry spear mystery murder psychic photographic memory paranormal historical romance
Publisher: Terry Spear

CHAPTER 17

“Lady Caroline appears to be asleep, my lord,” Lord Giles said to John on their way back to Hanford when she didn’t answer his question about what had become of the villain.

John wrapped his arm securely around her waist, never wanting to let her go, thanking God that He had delivered her safely back to him.

When they arrived back at Hanford, the bell had already rung for morning mass. Several courtiers headed to chapel, while the ladies who accompanied Caroline and Lady Ann waited in the bailey for word of the lady. John pulled his horse to a halt, and two of his men helped to take the lady from him.

Lord Giles’s cloak dropped to the stone pavement, and several of the ladies gasped to see Caroline dressed in men’s hose. Laurina ran to retrieve the baron’s cloak to cover Caroline while Sir Kendall carried her into the castle.

John dismounted from his horse and approached his mother, her face worried. She took his arm, and he walked her to the chapel. “Go to services, my lady mother. I will see Lady Caroline and be a few minutes late.”

“Will she be all right, my son?”

“She has to be,” he said, his voice harsher than he meant it to be. After leaving his mother at the chapel, he headed upstairs to the ladies’ chamber. His physician and several of the ladies crowded around the bed.

John stalked across the chamber. “Will she be all right?”

“She has lost her voice and is feverish, my lord. She must rest for now. I will check on her following services.”

John grasped Caroline’s burning hands and laid his forehead against them. He could not help how deeply he already cared for her and silently cursed the man who had stolen her away. “I imagine her assailant died in the forest today, or I would kill him myself for this outrage.” He brushed the red-gold curly tresses from her brow. God’s teeth, she looked so pale and vulnerable. Taking a moistened cloth from Laurina, he laid it across Caroline’s forehead. She shivered. “Who shall stay with the lady?”

“I will,” several responded.

“Let me know if she worsens while I am at mass. I will return following services, and my bishop can give you a brief service here.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Laurina said.

John hurried out of the room, while Laurina walked over to the bed and touched Caroline’s cheek. Caroline coughed, her brows furrowed, and she opened her eyes.

“Oh, my lady.” Laurina knelt down beside the bed and grasped Caroline’s hands while the others drew close. “The earl shall be back after mass. How do you feel?”

Caroline croaked, “I...,” then she shook her head, “I cannot speak.”

The ladies strained to make out her words, then Laurina said, “Nay, rest your voice. The cold damp air has chilled you. What of the man who stole you away, my lady? The earl desires to know what has become of the man.”

Caroline closed her eyes and tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Let her rest,” Mary said.

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