The Formidable Earl by Sophie Barnes

Author:Sophie Barnes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sophie Barnes

The oil lamp’s glow lent a soft golden hue to the room the next time Ida woke. Unlike the previous time, Simon was there, right beside her. Propped on his side, he was gazing down at her when she opened her eyes. A smile curved his lips, reminding her of the kiss they’d shared right after he’d helped her get changed. It had been lovely. The rightness of it had made her knees a bit wobbly.

“I’m glad you’re awake,” he said while tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You’ve been asleep for almost twenty-four hours.”

She blinked. “Really?”

“I even had Redding come check on you earlier today to make sure you were still all right. He said you just needed rest.” He studied her for a moment. “I’ll have to change your bandage again, but I’m thinking you might be hungry. Would you like something to eat first?”

“I would appreciate that. Thank you.”

When he returned a short while later, Simon brought a selection of various fruits, a slice of kidney pie, and some roast chicken. Everything had been piled onto a much-too-small tray which he placed in the middle of the bed.

“You frightened the hell out of me,” he said once she’d had a few grapes and selected a chicken leg to munch on. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

“Me too. I think I was rather lucky.”

His eyes met hers with regret. “I’m so sorry, Ida. This shouldn’t have happened.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

He looked like he wanted to argue the point. Instead he said, “Huntley has tried to find out who pushed you, but no one seems to have seen the culprit. No name has been mentioned, though I did see Elmwood on the stairs right before our carriage took off.”

“I didn’t even know he was at the ball. Perhaps he was just arriving.”

Simon sighed and selected an orange slice for himself. “Maybe, but we can’t afford to dismiss him.” He dropped his gaze to the mattress and frowned. “There’s something else. A note arrived at my home this morning – a warning to stay out of other people’s business.”

“Someone’s definitely rattled.”

“Yes. But I had hoped to gain a clearer indication of whom.”

So had she. Mr. Nugent had stormed off immediately after finding out who she was, and Kirksdale had refused to answer her questions. Ida glanced at Simon. Having finished her chicken, she cut a small sliver of pie, just to taste. “So where do we go from here?”

His fingers caught the edge of her chin. Leaning in, he gave her a swift kiss on the lips. “Nowhere, for the moment. You still need to get well.”

“Simon…”

He sighed. “I’ve a meeting with Mr. St. John the day after tomorrow. Probably a giant waste of time, but considering the story I gave Kirksdale about wanting to invest, I couldn’t refuse.” He shrugged and popped another orange slice into his mouth.

“I really don’t like that man. Mr. St. John. He made my skin crawl.”

“Hmm.” A frown appeared on Simon’s brow

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