"Carters was in pain, Austin. You cannot expect me to allow someone to suffer simply because I'm a duchess and it is therefore deemed improper to help." She raised her chin a notch, her eyes shooting sparks of challenge. "I'm afraid I feel quite strongly about this."

A mixture of respect and irritation suffused him. He wasn't used to being defied but it had been obvious since the moment they'd met, Elizabeth cared not a fig for his lofty title or position. The fact that she stood before him, eyes flashing, gaze unflinching, not backing away from his possible anger, filled him with pride and respect for her. She knew how to doctor people, and she was going to do it, by God whether he liked it or not.

And who the hell was he to argue about her flouting propriety? God knows he'd done so himself on many occasions, most recently when he'd taken an American as his duchess. Bloody hell, he felt like hugging her. Of course, it wasn't necessary to let her know that. Instead he arranged his face into a suitably serious expression.

"Well, I suppose if helping those who suffer is that important to you-"

"I assure you it is."

"And it would please you to have my blessing and approval?"

"Very much."

"And if I refuse?"

She didn't hesitate for a second. "Then I shall be forced to help people without your blessing and approval."

"I see." She was so magnificent, he wanted to applaud her for her courage and spirit in spite of her defiance.

Cupping a gentle hand to his face, she said, "Please understand, Austin. I have no wish to defy you or anger you, but I simply cannot stand to see suffering. Neither can you, you know. You're far too kind and noble to allow others to be in pain."

Austin drew her closer to him, inordinately pleased that his wife thought him kind and noble.

"I'm so relieved that you're home," she whispered next to his ear. Her warm breath tickled him, sending a legion of pleasurable chills down his back. "I was so worried… I couldn't have borne it had anything happened to you."

The "Elizabeth" feeling rushed through him like the floodgates had opened. She cared about him. And if this extraordinary woman cared about him, perhaps he wasn't so bad after all.

Emotion welled in his throat. Leaning back, he framed her face between his hands and gently stroked his thumbs over her smooth cheeks. "I'm fine, Elizabeth." A teasing grin pulled at his lips. "Perhaps not so robust as you, but fine nonetheless. And you have my blessing and approval to heal anyone you wish. On one condition."

"That being?"

He lowered his mouth until it hovered just over hers. "I insist on receiving the bulk of your tender ministrations."

She wound her arms around his neck. "Of course, your grace." Leaning into him, she pressed against his very obvious arousal. "Oh, my," she whispered. "It appears you need some administering to right now. I believe we should begin. At once."

"An excellent suggestion," he agreed huskily as his lips claimed hers. She sighed his name and guilt wrapped around him like a noose.

He knew she would not be pleased when he told her he planned to return to the waterfront that evening.

Chapter 15

Robert, Caroline, Miles, and the dowager duchess stood in the foyer of Austin's London town house, surrendering their shawls, jackets, hats, and bonnets to Carters.