Lady in Red by Máire Claremont

Author:Máire Claremont [Claremont, Máire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-01T14:30:00+00:00

Chapter 16

“It’s about bloody, sodding time.”

Edward blinked furiously at the sudden light piercing his lids. Mary’s once languid and trusting form tensed against him with alarm.

He didn’t need to see to know the owner of that blasted voice. In fact, he much preferred his eyes closed, as if the disembodied voice was an invasion on his pleasant dreams, not an actuality.

Mary had given him such a gift last night. He barely believed he could be worthy of such trust. Oh, he’d worked for it. But until that moment when she stood proud and brave and yanked his boots off, determined to be close to him, he had not understood how important that gift was to her. To him.

The clunk of the curtains against the curtain rod eliminated the possibility that the invading voice was indeed an illusion. All he wanted was to hold Mary and revel in this new bond that they had forged.

Regretfully, he opened his eyes, his pupils adjusting to the bright light in slow degrees, making the man across the room by the windows appear a faceless shade.

“Powers, what the hell are you doing in my room?” Edward didn’t sit up, lest Powers consider it an invitation to stay. It was best not to encourage the blighter in any way.

“I’ve been here a hundred times before,” Powers replied brightly. “Why shouldn’t I be here now?”

Edward scowled. “I have company.”

Powers busied himself, tying back the curtains. “Once again, I’ve been here when you’ve had company a hund—”

Edward winced as Mary’s form slid away from his. The feel of her body had been a balm on his withered soul. He was tempted to reach out and pull her against him, but instead he humphed and added, “Christ, are you an imbecile?”

“My father is,” Powers virtually chirped, his mood seeming blithe. He turned to face the bed, his long duster coat swishing about his form. “I thank the fates that in this circumstance it was not hereditary.”

“I’m not entirely certain of that, my lord.” Mary’s sharp reply filled the room with irony as she shuffled under the thick down blanket to the side of the bed, either for the purpose of murdering Powers or to flee. It was hard to surmise which she preferred, given the mortified irritation etched on her brow.

“Good.” Powers clapped his hands together in faux enthusiasm. “She’s awake.”

“And not amused,” she parried.

“Well, I am. Or at least full of bliss that you two have finally consummated your—”

Mary threw the covers back, baring her sapphire silk gown. The skirts were so voluminous that, even twisted about her limbs, they still entirely covered her lower extremities. “Contain your misplaced bliss.”

Powers dragged his eyes over her fully clothed form. “Woe to the world, madam,” he mocked. “You know not what you miss.” He then diverted his attention to Edward, buried safely underneath the covers. A slight sniff precipitated Powers’s march forward and abrupt seizure of the linens.

Edward kept a death grip about the bedding, sensing he was about to be bared.

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