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He listened without interest to the housekeeper's chatter, vaguely registering that Dr Brooke would be visiting later in the day, that the Leedses had been concerned enough to send their own doctor, that the entire household staff was rejoicing in his recovery His fingers plucked at the freshly laundered bedclothes, and he focused on the rectangle of daylight that cah the parted curtains at the French doors Then Mrs Beecha that captured his attention
“…Perhaps Miss Ridley will coh I suspect to is more likely—”
“She's here?” He struggled to sit up, his gaze riveted on the housekeeper
“Mr Scott, you should not exert yourself—”
“Where?” he barked, levering hi as he discovered hoeak he was
“Miss Ridley is sleeping only a few doors away I doubt I could wake her, sir She insisted on caring for you the past three days and nights, hardly resting or eating The poor la, after she learned that your fever had passed” Mrs Beecham paused as she saw the look on his face “Oh, you needn't worry, sir,” she said hastily, “she's not ill 'tis only exhaustion I'm sure she'll be fine after several hours of sleep”
Logan's lass of water on the bedside table, unsteadily navigating it to his mouth “Why didn't you make her rest?” he demanded scratchily “There was no need to let her work herself into exhaustion”
“There was no way to stop her She insisted on taking care of you—”
“Bring me a robe”
“Sir?” Mrs Beechaet out of bed “Mr Scott, you can't possibly mean to…why, it would be madness…”
“Ring for Denis,” Logan said, with no thought save that he had to see Maddy for himself “And send for the doctor”
“But sir, I told you he'll be calling later in the day—”
“I want—” He stopped as a harsh cough was torn frolass of water, he took another s “I want him to see Miss Ridley Now” He had to be certain that Maddy ell, that it was indeed exhaustion and not the beginning stage of illness that had brought about her collapse
Mrs Beecham retreated to the door “I'll send for the doctor,” she said crisply, “but it will be no service to Miss Ridley, waking her after all she's been through And before you atte I'll have acustard and some toast”
Logan subsided against the pillows as the housekeeper left, though it was hardly by choice He was as unsteady as a colt His un to hiility, his weakness wasbeneath his breath, he leaned back until his head stopped spinning
Despite Dr Brooke's assurances that Madeline was not afflicted with the fever, Logan was not satisfied
“My friend,” Dr Brooke said with a laugh, “you needn't expend your energy worrying over Miss Ridley I assure you, she's quite healthy, only a little tired To should see her back to her usual self It's your own health you should concern yourself with Youback to your usual schedule, or your recovery will take twice the tiht, and refrain from any exertion” He winked as he added, “That includes any ah I'll admit I would be sorely tehtful creature”
Logan was annoyed by the doctor's state, he tapped his fingers on the counterpane, signaling his impatience for Brooke to leave
“Very well,” Dr Brookeabout a relapse Follow my advice, Scott, and try not to overdo”
Logan grunted in assent, continuing to druone Then he reached for the bellpull and rang for Denis
Overriding the valet's objections, Logan commandeered his help to walk to Madeline's room The amount of exertion it required as and heart were laboring to acco his hold on the valet's shoulder, Logan went to the bed alone “Leave,” he said brusquely “I'll ring if I want your help”
“Oui, monsieur,” Denis replied, his tone littered with skepticism “But I think with the two of you in such a condition, a rendez-vous is not such a good plan—”
“Go, Denis”
The door closed behind hiure on the bed Madeline lay on her side like a child, her hands loosely curled, her brsts covered by a an sat beside her, touching a lock of golden-brown hair that streaainst the pillow, her breath resu its deep rhythm
He saw that her hands were reddened fro hi was not one of embarrassment—he had no shame when it came to matters of nakedness and physical intimacy Rather, it was the sense that she had claimed a part of him that he couldn't retrieve…he felt bound to her While part of hi, another part welcomed it
He wondered what he would do with her One thing was certain—he couldn't send her away now She had launched into his life and wedged herself into every private comer, and it seemed that he had no choice but to accept her Why not take the enjoy, beautiful, and fearless, possessing a resilient optiaze moved over the outline of her body, cocooned in linen and wool blankets Lightly he touched her breast, his fingers shaping over the soft mound until it nearly filled his hand, His thu the nipple into a swelling point Madeline murmured in her sleep, and the bet-clothes rustled as her knees drew up slightly
Logan s the silken hair on the pillow For a s he would teach her, the pleasures they would share, until the heat of arousal began to fill hi wryly, he stood up frohts There would be tie Madeline's every fantasy…and more than a few of his own
Seven
Madeline awakened and lay still for a few an to rise from bed and winced at the ache of her muscles The worst of it was in her back and shoulders Cautiously she stretched, gasping as the pain brought s tears to her eyes
A housemaid knocked at the door and entered with a bucket of coal to refresh the grate “Miss Ridley,” she said, seeratified to find Madeline awake “Mrs Beecham says we should all thank you for what you done for the master”