One Night With You (The Derrings #3)(56)

"This is… normal?" Seth asked, feeling frighteningly ill-equipped. He could stitch up a wound and dig out a bullet if necessary, but this…

The last time he had felt this helpless was staring at Julianne lying twisted and still as stone amid the bluebells. He'd thought her dead. Thought he had killed her.

"According to Anna, the sicker I feel, the healthier the babe." A tremulous smile curved her lips, as if she did not entirely believe such counsel.

His gaze flew to her stomach, as if he could see the child within her. His child. Theirs. Until this moment, none of it had been quite real. Suddenly he could imagine their child. A little girl with Jane's glossy brown hair and hazel eyes. His heart constricted.

"Perhaps we should send for the physician, just to be safe," he suggested, the protectiveness gripping him fierce, an emotion, welcome or not, he was coming to anticipate around her.

"My lord? What are you doing here?" The sound of Anna's voice brought him to his feet.

"Seeing to my wife," he answered.

Anna studied him warily as she carried a tray holding a steaming cup and set it on the table beside the bed.

"Your wife," she harrumphed, folding her arms over her great bosom. "Wouldn't know it for all the notice you've given her."

"Anna," Jane scolded, color washing the green tinge from her face. He scowled. "I'm sending for the physician."

Anna snorted. "What does a man know of female matters?"

"It's unnecessary," Jane interjected, her weak voice firm with decision. "I'm in good hands with Anna."

"Perhaps," he conceded. "But I'm staying. And if I think you're worsening, I'm sending for a physician."

Anna began to protest.

He arched a brow in warning.

Snapping her mouth shut, the maid nodded and motioned to the tea on the bedside table. "See that she drinks."

Seth settled down beside Jane, stretching his legs alongside hers. Nestling her head against his shoulder, he brought the tea to her lips.

"I'm not an invalid," she complained, looking up at him with weary, bemused eyes.

"Hush," he murmured. "Drink."

She sipped from the cup, watching him drowsily. "Thank you," she murmured, eyes drifting shut.

"You may leave us, Anna." He didn't look up as the maid departed, too occupied with studying Jane's face as she fell asleep in his arms, her soft curves nestled against his a tormenting reminder of all he was denying himself each night he slept alone in his bed. He squeezed his eyes tightly, struggling to forget what it felt like to have her, to sink himself into her heat.

Despite his struggles, it was a memory that plagued him long into the hours of the night.





Chapter 23


"Good morning," Jane greeted upon entering the dining room and moving to the sideboard.

"Jane!" Julianne's face brightened as she stared in Jane's general direction. "How lovely to have you up and about again. Seth was beside himself with worry."

Jane glanced Seth's way. Heat flooded her face at the memory of yesterday, of falling asleep in his arms, of waking up in his arms.

Lowering his paper, he watched her with unreadable eyes as she placed one slice of toast upon her plate, not yet ready to try her stomach with her usual fare of eggs and kippers.

"Good morning, Jane." He inclined his head, the sound of her name on his lips low and deep, making her shiver.

Sinking into the seat across from Julianne, she snapped her napkin free and murmured, "I feel much better. I actually woke hungry this morning." Her gaze darted to Seth again, wondering if he had yet explained to his sister the reason for her illness, or, for that matter, the reason for their marriage.

"Are you up for a drive in the park then, Jane?" Julianne asked, carefully reaching for her teacup. Closing both hands about it, she brought it to her lips for a small sip. "I confess I've been eager for your company. Rebecca's sister lives in Eppingham. Since we're so close I insisted she spend a few days with her."

Seth grunted at this before taking a crunchy bite of his toast.

"Seth is not pleased with me doing so," Julianne added in a not so conspiratorial whisper.

"I'm sure even the most loyal companion deserves the occasional time off," Jane volunteered. One of Seth's brows cocked. "Quite. Only perhaps not when Julianne is in a house virtually unknown to her and requires more help than usual."

"Oh," Jane murmured, looking with concern to Julianne.

She flicked a hand in dismissal. "Nonsense."

"Then why have you pilfered Knightly, claiming to need his assistance?" Seth reopened his paper, missing the telltale blush stealing over Julianne's face. But Jane did not. She noted the flood of color and wondered at it. Why should Jane blush at the mention of Mr. Knightly?

"I think a drive too soon for Jane," Seth announced.

She snapped her gaze back to him, nostrils quivering. As much as she resented his answering on her behalf, she could not disagree. The thought of ambling along curving paths made her stomach tighten.

"I suppose you can avail upon Knightly again, Julianne. I've a meeting with my solicitor this morning."

"Certainly I wouldn't want Jane to relapse." Julianne cleared her throat, tracing the rim of her teacup with an elegant fingertip. "If you're sure Greg—Mr. Knightly isn't otherwise occupied." Seth looked up at her slight slip, observing her intently. For a moment, something flickered in his gaze. Doubt. Uncertainty. Something. Then he shook his head and it was gone. He returned his attention to his paper.