She instantly looked chastened. “It’s not that I’m ungrateful. I’m just concerned that he’ll find the jewels before we do.”

“I don’t think so. At least not with the letter and map he has.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that the letter and map he possesses will send him on what is fondly referred to in the Official Spy Handbook as ‘The Wild Goose Chase.’ ” He eased her skirts up to bathe her knees.

“But… but how?”

“I wrote a false letter containing wrong information. Drew a fake map clearly depicting the Isles of Scilly, which lay twenty-eight miles off the coast of Lands End.” He shrugged. “That should keep him far enough away from here until we conclude our investigation using the real note and map, which are perfectly safe, by the way.”

She stared at him, clearly taken aback, then her expression changed to a combination of admiration and pure chagrin.

“Oh,” she said in a small voice. “It would appear I owe you an apology.”

“Well, if you really feel it’s necessary-”

“Oh, I do.” Gazing up at him, she said softly, “I’m sorry, Nathan. I should have known you’d be unsurpassedly brilliant.”

“Hmmm. Yes, you should have.” He smiled and lightly massaged the healing ointment into her palm.

“I feel like a complete fool. The reason I tripped was because I was attempting to kick the note out of his reach. I thought that might give you the opportunity to retrieve your knife or somehow subdue him. I didn’t know you had everything under control.”

He barely swallowed the humorless laugh that rose in his throat. Under control? He’d never felt more helpless in his life.

“Of course, you might have told me about the fake note in the boot ploy,” she said. “But regardless, you saved my life.” She brought his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. “My hero. Thank you.”

He brushed his fingertips lightly over her jaw. “You’re welcome. Glad to know you’re not disappointed I beat the enemy with my brain rather than my brawn. But mark my words, when I see that bastard again, he will pay dearly for touching you. For hurting you.”

A shudder ran through her. “I hope never to see him again. I’ve never been so frightened in my life.”

Never been so frightened? That makes two of us. He lowered her skirts to cover her knees. “I’m finished with my treatments. How do you feel?”

“Finished? Already?” She flexed her hands, bent her knees, and wiggled her jaw. “I feel very much improved.”

“Excellent.”

Her eyes narrowed, but amusement glittered in her gaze. “You tricked me.”

He adopted an expression of innocent shock. “I?”

“You distracted me from your ministrations by urging me to talk.”

“Did I? It’s been my observation that you seem to require very little encouragement to chatter away.”

“Hmmm. Very clever. And effective. My aunt told me she thought you’d have an excellent bedside manner. I shouldn’t have doubted her, as she has always proven to be uncannily correct in her assessments.”

“Then I thank you both for the compliment,” he said lightly. “As for the rest of your treatment, you’re to allow the salve I applied to soak in for the next two hours, during which time you will remain in bed and eat dinner. Then you shall have your promised warm bath, after which the salve needs to be reapplied. Then it’s off to bed for you. Agreed?”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“Excellent. A docile patient.”

“I’m nothing of the sort. I’m simply pretending to be to repay your kindness.”

“I see.” He put his supplies away, then firmly closed his medical bag. The instant he’d done so, he reached for the brandy decanter.

Victoria shook her head. “Oh, no. Not again. I’m not drinking any more of that foul brew.”

“Not to worry. This one is for me.” He poured himself two fingers and tossed it back in a single gulp. Closing his eyes, he savored the fire heating its way to his belly and allowed his tense muscles to relax. When he opened his eyes, he set aside the glass. Lightly clasping her shoulders, he looked steadily into her eyes.

“Now that my doctor duties have been completed, I want you to know that there is no kindness for you to repay. The fact that you were injured is entirely my fault.”

“It is nothing of the sort-”

“Entirely my fault, Victoria. Your father sent you to me to protect. I failed today. But I give you my word I will not fail again.”

Her gaze softened and she pressed her palm against his cheek. “You didn’t fail, Nathan.”

“That you are lying in that bed proves otherwise. Just as this episode proves that someone is desperate to find those jewels. And they’ll do anything to succeed.” He laid his hand atop hers then turned his head to lightly kiss her abraded palm. “Promise me you will not venture anywhere outside the house alone.” He hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, but the scare he’d suffered still lurked within him.

“I promise.”

With a nod, he rose. “I’m going to tell your aunt and my father what happened. Then I’ll send your aunt to you so she can settle you in your bedchamber and help you change clothes.”

Because he couldn’t stop himself, he leaned down and brushed his lips against her brow. Then he quit the room. As he walked down the corridor, his lips pressed into a grim line. He didn’t know who was responsible for this, but unlike three years ago, he wasn’t going to walk away this time. This time he’d have his answers. And the person responsible would pay.

Sixteen

While Today’s Modern Woman should seek out her own life experiences at every opportunity, it is always wise to listen to other women who, through their own daring, have already gained knowledge of intimate matters. Time spent talking to those well versed on such subjects can prove comforting, enlightening, and offer helpful guidance. Besides, it is always more fun to have a partner in crime.


A Ladies’ Guide to the Pursuit of

Personal Happiness and Intimate Fulfillment

by Charles Brightmore


Victoria set aside her silver dinner tray, then leaned back against the bed pillows with a satisfied sigh. “That chowder was delicious.” She smiled at her aunt who, after helping her get settled and changed into a fresh linen night rail, had had a dinner tray sent up as well. “Do you suppose the cook would share the recipe?”

“Well, if she won’t give it to us, surely Dr. Oliver could charm it out of her.” She regarded Victoria over the edge of her crystal wine goblet. “I believe if anyone other than he had brought me the news of your frightful experience, I would have quite fainted away. Dr. Oliver, however, has… a way about him. He’s very confident. And reassuring.”

“Yes, he is.” And so many other things. Things that excited and delighted her. Yet confused and unsettled her.

“And so devilishly attractive,” Aunt Delia continued. “And strong. He carried you all the way back to the house!” She made a fanning motion with her napkin. “Clearly he’s most vigorous. And so concerned for you, Victoria.”

Heat crept up Victoria’s face from beneath the neckline of her nightgown. “Naturally he was concerned. He is a doctor. He is concerned for all his patients.”

Aunt Delia set down her teacup with a decided click. “My dear girl, you’ve adroitly sidestepped the subject of Dr. Oliver all through dinner, and it’s time to stop.” Her eyes filled with concern. “Dearest, if you think that his concern is only that of a doctor for his patient, then you are in need of a stronger restorative. Surely you can see he is deeply attracted to you. And a blind person could see that you are attracted to him as well.”

She inwardly winced at her apparent transparency. “Given his good looks, I’m sure most women would find him attractive.”

“Yes. But you are the only one I am worried about.” Aunt Delia rose from her wing chair and resettled herself on the edge of Victoria’s bed. “I can see you are troubled, Victoria. Why don’t you talk to me about what’s distressing you?”

Victoria plucked at the counterpane. The need to share with someone the plethora of conflicted feelings overwhelmed her. But she couldn’t confide to her aunt the sensual nature of those feelings, of her encounters with Nathan. Couldn’t share the scandalous desires, the heat, the needs he inspired in her. Her poor aunt would swoon from shock. Even worse, such an admission would certainly mean her aunt would no longer allow her any time alone with Nathan. While her inner voice said that was surely for the best, her heart did not agree. Besides, how could she hope to discuss something that she didn’t herself comprehend?

Forcing a smile, she said, “I appreciate your offer, Aunt Delia, but I’m fine.”

“I see. You think that I will wilt from shock, but I assure you such is not the case.” She laid a sympathetic hand over Victoria’s. “I understand completely, my dear. You have always been a planner. Even as a child you planned your tea parties, and as a young girl, your ensembles down to the last detail. Planned the next ten books you intended to read. During the Season, you’ve planned precisely which parties you wanted to attend, which gentlemen you would partner for each dance. You’ve planned exactly the sort of man you should marry and know precisely the sort of wedding you want-plans to be put into action immediately upon your return to London. You came to Cornwall with a definite plan in your mind-to endure this visit your father insisted upon for the shortest amount of time possible, then return to London and decide upon a husband. And now you’re completely out of sorts because the devastatingly attractive Dr. Oliver and the unexpected feelings he inspires have thrown all your fine plans into total disarray.”