Wicked Temptation (Regency Sinners 6)(26)

“Of course,” the duke accepted gruffly. “But, with your permission, I will arrange for his valet to join him here later today.”

Pru shot him a teasing glance. “You have it. But just so that you understand, I am no more fooled by your supposed easy acquiescence than I am Titus’s.”

Stonewell chuckled. “And I would no more dare to challenge any of your decisions than he obviously does.”

Pru gave a snort of laughter. “I see now why the two of you are friends.”

He eyed her curiously. “Do you?”

“Oh yes.” Her smile widened. “But arrogance and determination of will only serve the both of you until that irresistible force meets an immovable object. In regard to Titus, I am become that immovable object,” she stated without apology.

“I realize that.”

“And accept it as such?”

“And accept it.” The duke nodded. “Titus shall remain here until you, or he, deem he is well enough to be moved elsewhere.”

Quite when that would be, Pru had no idea.

Nor did she have any wish for Titus to leave, to be apart from him again.

Ever.





Chapter 9


“The doctor said this morning I might start having some red meat in my diet.” Titus gazed down at the bowl of soup sitting on the tray Pru had placed in front of him as he sat in a chair beside the window.

“That is a beef broth,” Pru dismissed as she tidied the blanket about his legs.

His eyes narrowed. “A thin liquid that has been strained of anything resembling meat and vegetables is not the same as a nice juicy piece of beef to get my teeth into.”

“You are not well enough to get your teeth into a juicy piece of beef—”

“The doctor said—”

“I was present during the doctor’s visit, Titus.” She straightened to eye him reprovingly. “What he actually said was you might slowly start to return to some of your usual activities, such as—”

“One of which is the eating red meat!”

“Such as,” she continued firmly, “getting out of bed—which you have now done.” She indicated his seat in front of the window. “And dressing.” She nodded to where he wore a silk robe over his nightshirt. “Your valet was in here earlier seeing to your wash and shave prior to Stonewell’s usual morning visit.” Edgars, Titus’s valet, had duly arrived on the Duke of Stonewell’s instruction several days ago, along with a portmanteau of the viscount’s clothes and belongings he would need for his stay here.

Pru had to admit the valet had become extremely helpful with Titus’s care, taking over the vigil in the bedchamber whenever Pru needed to sleep or bathe and change her clothes.

Titus stared at Pru in frustration. He didn’t give a damn about his appearance when it felt as if he was being starved to death these past four days of being confined to his bed. Well…not his bed, but a bed in one of the guest bedchambers at Germaine House.

Quite how Pru had managed that in the face of what he knew had been strong opposition from Stonewell and several of the other Sinners, he did not care to think. Stonewell had muttered something about “immovable objects” when Titus questioned him on the subject.

Even with his own valet in residence, Titus knew he should not be alone here with Pru. It simply was not done for a gentleman to be in the home of a single lady for this amount of time, even if that gentleman was incapacitated.

And yet here he was, a virtual prisoner to Pru’s ministrations and strict adherence to “five minutes only” whenever one of The Sinners dared to visit him here.

He leaned back in the chair. “You are taking your duties as my nurse far too seriously, Pru.”

“Too seriously?” she echoed, two bright spots of indignant color appearing in her cheeks. “You almost died four days ago. Parker did die,” she added emotionally.

“And for that, I am most sorry.” Titus nodded. “But your parents will be arriving home soon, and they are going to be far from happy at finding me here,” he predicted.

“Nonsense,” Pru dismissed. “They will be as grateful to you as I am for ensuring my safety to the detriment of your own. You were protecting me when the bullet struck you in the back,” she reminded him huskily.

Titus placed the tray of food on the table beside him. “Pru, you cannot dwell on things that might have been, only what is. Yes, I was shot,” he continued as she would have spoken. “But I am well on the mend now.”

She sniffed. “I beg to differ.”

He bit back the sharpness of his reply, knowing Pru was motivated by worry and fear rather than any true intention of dominating him. Because of what had happened to the Germaine butler. A death Titus deeply regretted, and which he knew had affected Pru greatly coming so quickly after the death of her beloved sister.

“Remove your drawers and come here to me,” he instructed as she now fussed with straightening the bedcovers.

Pru ceased what she was doing to give him a startled glance. “What?”

“Your reaction shows me you heard me the first time.”

“I do not think—”

“I am not requiring you to think, only to do as I ask,” Titus grated.

Her cheeks were flushed. “It sounded like an order—”