Dark Deceptions: A Regency and Medieval Collection of Dark Romances(36)

From behind the kerchief, Nick’s eyes grew shuttered. “Tell me this is not the woman.”

Adam didn’t say anything.

Nick sighed. “Very well. I’ll have her summoned.” He walked over to the door…just as it was opened. The wood slammed into his nose with a sickening crack. He cried out.

The plump nurse with her silly, white cap stood there wearing a nasty scowl. She had her fingers wrapped tightly around Georgina’s forearm. Nurse Talbert spared a glance at Nick’s bloodied kerchief and wrinkled her nose in a manner hardly befitting a nurse. “My apologies for injuring your nose, my lord,” she said with all the sincerity of a sinner taking sup with a man of the cloth. She didn’t make a move to help.

Adam’s gaze fell on Georgina. He tried to imagine her, a beautiful glowing nightingale, silenced by this harridan. The red curtain of rage fell back into place. “Release her now.”

Nurse Talbert released Georgina’s arm with alacrity.

Georgina’s downcast eyes and pale skin indicated it was her spirit that had been wounded. Having suffered at the hands of Fox and Hunter, he knew some things were far worse than physical pain.

It made him want to throw her over his shoulder and run off like a conquering lord, saving his damsel.

He slipped his hand into Georgina’s.

Nurse Talbert’s eyes nearly bulged from her head. She pointed a quivering finger at Georgina. “Your services are no longer required here.”

It was perhaps a testament to how helpless Georgina had become. She showed no outward reaction to what was surely a devastating turn of events. Somehow, the lack of emotion from Georgina was even more bothersome.

Nick flicked an imaginary piece of dust from his shoulder, looking for all the world as though he’d never been more bored. “I’m sure that is a bit extreme, Nurse Talbert.”

The woman’s lips flattened into a hard line. “I have a reputation to maintain, my lord. I cannot allow women of ill repute within my halls. And I most certainly will not allow this wanton to destroy my hard efforts.”

Adam had never hit a woman, but if ever a woman deserved it, this was the one. “If you disparage Georgina Wilcox one more time, by God, I’ll see to it that you’ll never work in this hospital or any other hospital, again. Is that clear?”

Nick dabbed at his nose. The blood flow had trickled to a near stop. He folded the cloth and tucked it in his front pocket like it wasn’t completely bloodstained. “I’m sure, Nurse Talbert, there is something we can work out so the woman—”

“Miss Wilcox.” Adam had tired of Nick’s lofty use of the term “the woman”. He spoke of her as if she were a teacup or settee.

Nick gave him a pointed glare. “So Miss Wilcox might retain her position.”

“She doesn’t want her position,” Adam snapped.

“Yes she does!” Georgina said, hastily. She looked at Adam with such entreaty in the brown of her eyes, that he was struck speechless. She turned to his brother. “I do, my lord. I want my position here. I need my position here.”

Nurse Talbert was already shaking her head. “The moment you created that scandalous scene on the main floor, you sealed your fate.”

A muscle in Nick’s jaw ticked, a telltale indication of how very close he was to losing his temper. As the earl, he’d become unaccustomed to having people gainsay his wishes.

“Nurse Talbert, I’m going to say this just one more time. I would greatly appreciate it if Miss Wilcox was permitted to keep her position. Is that clear?” He raised a single brow.

Nurse Talbert raised her own brow. “Oh, it was quite clear, my lord.” She looked to Georgina. “Pack your things, my dear. This is your last day.”

Georgina pressed a hand to her mouth, as if she were trying to stifle a scream. Panicked eyes flitted around the office. They met his.

“I will help you, Georgina,” he said quietly. Surely, she had to know that?

The guilt that had robbed him of sleep pricked at him. Then again, what would make her believe he would help her? He’d abandoned her with those foul beasts.

Ever proud, Georgina dropped her trembling hand to her side. She tossed her head back. “Very well, Nurse Talbert.”

Like hell. He planted himself in front of Georgina and effectively blocked her path. Over the crown of her head, he shot his brother a look.

Nick held his stare then sighed. “I’ll find work for Miss Wilcox in my household.”

Nurse Talbert snorted, indicating just what kind of work she expected Georgina Wilcox would find in the earl’s home.

Adam’s clenched his teeth. He had not survived the hell with Fox and Hunter to fear society’s snide recrimination. “She will not be working in my brother’s household.”

Georgina picked her head up. Her full, red lips quivered.

He reached down and stroked her cheek. It was like silk against his fingers. “She’ll be my wife. I’m marrying her.” He turned to Georgina. “Will you marry me?”

And indomitable Georgina Wilcox fainted dead-away in his arms.





Fox has made an innovation to the folding pike. The weapon can be concealed beneath one’s cloak and possesses a hinge. Fox and Hunter have now devoted their efforts to locating members of The Brethren.