Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer

Author:Georgette Heyer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Man-woman relationships, Regency fiction, England - Social life and customs - 19th century, Fiction, Regency, Great Britain, Historical, England, General, Love stories
ISBN: 9780373773862
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1968-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Sir Gareth, opening his eyes on unfamiliar surroundings, wondered where he was. He appeared to be lying in an attic, which seemed very odd, though not of any great importance. He considered the matter idly, and next discovered that something was wrong with his left shoulder. He tried to bring his other hand to feel it, but found that the effort was too much for his strength. Also, which was strange, he was very tired. Decidedly something must be wrong, he thought, unperturbed, but puzzled. He turned his head on the pillow, and his eyes fell upon a slim youth, who was watching him intently from a chair by the window. The wreaths of sleep which were clinging to his brain began to drift away. He frowned. A boy in a coffeeroom, talking some nonsense about a blackened heart, and Amanda—Amanda? "Good God!" said Sir Gareth faintly, as memory came rushing back.

Hildebrand, uncertain whether he was himself, or still lightheaded, said tentatively: "Are you better, sir?"

"Hildebrand Ross," stated Sir Gareth. "Where the devil am I?"

"Well, I don't suppose you would know the place, sir, but pray do not be uneasy! You are quite safe."

"Did you put a bullet into me?" enquired Sir Gareth, dreamily interested.

"Yes, I did, sir, but indeed I never meant to! Pray do not let yourself be angry with me! I mean, not yet, while you are so weak!"

"I remember telling you not to wave that pistol about," remarked Sir Gareth, in a reminiscent voice. "What happened after that?"

"Well, I—I shot you, sir, but don't talk about it now! The doctor says you must be perfectly quiet."

"How long have I been here?"

"Four days, sir—and I think I had better fetch Aunt Hester!" said Hildebrand nervously.

Sir Gareth, left to make what he could of this, found it beyond his comprehension, and closed his eyes again.

When he awoke for the second time, he remembered that he had been talking to Hildebrand, and looked towards the window. But Hildebrand was no longer there. Lady Hester was seated in the Windsor chair, reading a book. Sir Gareth had thought that he was better, but he now suspected that he was delirious. There was a sandy kitten curled up in her lap, too, and he knew that kitten. Hester had nothing to do with Joseph, so probably he was still floating in a muddled dream. "Besides," he said aloud, "she doesn't wear a cap. How absurd!"

She looked up quickly, and rose, setting Joseph down. "Hildebrand came running to tell me that you had waked up, quite yourself again, but when I reached you, you were so soundly asleep that I almost doubted him," she said, taking his hand, and feeling his pulse. "Oh, that is so much better! Do you feel more the thing?"

His fingers closed weakly round her hand. "But this is fantastic!" he said. "Are you sure I am not dreaming?"

"Quite sure," she replied, smiling mistily down at him. "I daresay you may be wondering how I come to be

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.