Surprisingly she did what he asked her and ate the spoonful of gruel with very little protest. If Claire was going to be that cooperative then Nicholas had no problem with getting sick every other day. He smiled sweetly while she showed her displeasure via a very sharp glare. “I tell you I want cake after we get married, and you give me gruel! Are you hinting at what I have to look forward to? Do remember I’m the one that can get you something actually edible for lunch. So you better play nice. I know where the strawberries and other goodies are,” she commented.
Nick laughed. Although as soon as he did, he discovered another menial task which was too much for his weakened state. The sound was abruptly cut and the bowl of gruel nearly overturned as he clutched at his side, smiling sheepishly. “I just found out that I am incapable of laughing,” he admitted. “You might have had the cake you wanted if you didn’t shoo away every single one of our house staff just so you can have me to yourself.” He shoveled a spoonful into his mouth. The taste was not awful, but it felt like slime sliding down his throat. Nick gagged, but with a look of defeat, forced his food down to his stomach. He ate a few more before turning to look at his wife. “Do you want more?” It sounded like a plea. Perhaps he should talk to the doctor and convince him that Nick can handle solid food.
Claire didn’t answer though. Instead, her hand landed lightly on his stomach. The bare skin of her soft hand was on touching his skin. She may be wed to him, and they may have shared a couple of kisses, but there was no doubt that neither of them knew the other. His kisses were calculated risks which he himself initiated, but this was an act that Claire initiated. An intimate touch, no matter how light, and he was not prepared for it. As if it was not enough awkwardness, she had to ask, “Nick? You are dressed beneath these covers, aren’t you?”
Nick choked on the food that he was about to swallow at that time. The young man coughed and grunted and winced, bending forward while placing pressure on his side. Claire might have noticed that her husband’s discomfort didn’t take more than a minute, but Nick would swear that it felt like a lifetime of dying. When he sat straight up, she was looking into his eyes and there was a faint blush that colored her cheeks. “Never mind, I don’t want to know,” she added quickly then steered to a more wholesome topic like his horse, but Nick refused to let the topic slide. His wife started it anyway.
Clearing his throat, he said, “To stop you from imagining what lies beneath the covers, let me assure you that yes, I am wearing trousers. However, should you require otherwise, I will be happy to oblige.” Then he raised his glass of milk as an act of salute for her before he slowly drank the contents. He only finished half of his bowl before he put it away. Perhaps he would eat the rest later. “You are not dressed as a lady yourself, madam,” Nick added gesturing a hand to her night gown, which had gone past her knees, revealing more of her perfect legs to her husband. “But the state allows us to be this way, as husband and wife.” He lay back down on his pillow.
“I sense that for some reasons unknown to me, you did not sleep well last night. There are dark circles under your eyes, wife. I cannot present you to the public looking tired. Just for today I will let you join me in my bed.” Besides, he felt tired himself. The long sleep didn’t seem enough to restore his lost strength, but he needed to be well soon enough if he wanted to get back into the field.
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I'm back!!!! I'm from Asia. We're a few hours ahead of you if you live in the US. I know I promised to send a reply yesterday, but after coming home from the trip, I was so exhausted, I fell asleep without meaning to after I lay my head on the pillow. My post is short though. :( Will make it up to you next time.
Here's my suggestion regarding the baron's son. Since Claire is an important person, let's just make it that she is close friends with the baron's son's fiance. She can come with her friend to visit the spy at one point.
Here's my suggestion regarding the baron's son. Since Claire is an important person, let's just make it that she is close friends with the baron's son's fiance. She can come with her friend to visit the spy at one point.
Nicholas was surprised at his wife’s attitude that morning. She was nothing like the woman who met him at the end of the aisle and told him to bite his tongue when he tried to apologize. The woman sitting beside his bed was kind and gentle, she even promised to take care of him. It made Nick wonder what he did right. Or perhaps he should concentrate on what he did wrong. Whatever she was doing might be part of her plan to retaliate. Therefore, when she mentioned that she sent everyone away, Nick stared at her asking, “Have you finally decided to kill me?”
His voice came out raw and still a bit sleepy. It was then he realized how dry his throat felt and how empty his stomach was. He hadn’t really eaten any decent meal since the night before he got shot.
However, when she buried her fingertips into his hair, he sighed and closed his eyes. How did she intend to kill him? And what was that she said about inviting someone over? He meant to ask who she invited, but had completely forgotten about it – that and the fact that he was hungry – especially when she bent down and kissed him.
When Nick felt Claire finally pull apart from him, he opened his eyes and found her staring down at him. She was not going to make his work easier. When he saw her for the first time wearing her wedding dress, he quietly thanked his handler that he chose a lovely bride to be his wife, but now he was thinking it was more of a curse than a blessing.
All these is not real, he reminded himself.
”Tell me. I know this isn't the Paris you were looking forward to," she demanded softly, referring to her question about how she could make him happier. He wanted to tell her to please leave him alone with his thoughts, or to send a note to his father to see him, but neither of the two was reasonable. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to spend the morning with Claire. Bennett told him to stay out of their assignment anyway.
But then he noticed the dark circles under her beautiful eyes and the puffiness surrounding it. She had cried. No, more than just cried, she might have cried the whole night. Nick frowned. “Have I done something to make you cry?” he asked, pushing himself to a sitting position which forced her to back away. The sheet fell to his lap as he clutched at his wound then leaned back against the headboard breathing hard. He stayed that way for a few moments, fighting for a steady breathing. There was a fist-sized red stain on the bandages wrapped around his torso, just beneath his ribs. “What time did you sleep last night? Come here and sit with me.” He reached for her hand and tugged her towards him.
Just this once, he told himself. Just that morning, because Bennett had forbidden him to interfere with the assignment, he would have to find other ways to entertain himself.
“Have you had breakfast?” he asked, using one hand to balance the tray from the bedside table to his lap. Nick lifted the cover to find that his breakfast consist of gruel and water. He looked at Claire then back to his food – the first he would eat after missing breakfast, lunch, and dinner on his wedding day – then back to Claire. He thought it was the doctor’s instructions to feed him soft food that would be easily digested. It was reasonable, and he wasn’t even sure he could hold the food down, but after missing a number of meals, he expected a better tasting alternative to gruel. Nick aimed one of his charming smiles at Claire. “You know that I will always provide for you.” He shoveled a spoonful and raised it a few inches above the bowl. “In sickness and in health,” the young man added quoting their vows while raising the spoon higher. “I wouldn’t want you to get hungry, especially after you took care of me the whole night, dear wife. Come on, share this with me. Didn’t you want to make me happier right now?”
Nick raised the spoon to her mouth, grinning. “Come on, now. Don’t be shy. It’s just you and me in the house all morning.”
His voice came out raw and still a bit sleepy. It was then he realized how dry his throat felt and how empty his stomach was. He hadn’t really eaten any decent meal since the night before he got shot.
However, when she buried her fingertips into his hair, he sighed and closed his eyes. How did she intend to kill him? And what was that she said about inviting someone over? He meant to ask who she invited, but had completely forgotten about it – that and the fact that he was hungry – especially when she bent down and kissed him.
When Nick felt Claire finally pull apart from him, he opened his eyes and found her staring down at him. She was not going to make his work easier. When he saw her for the first time wearing her wedding dress, he quietly thanked his handler that he chose a lovely bride to be his wife, but now he was thinking it was more of a curse than a blessing.
All these is not real, he reminded himself.
”Tell me. I know this isn't the Paris you were looking forward to," she demanded softly, referring to her question about how she could make him happier. He wanted to tell her to please leave him alone with his thoughts, or to send a note to his father to see him, but neither of the two was reasonable. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to spend the morning with Claire. Bennett told him to stay out of their assignment anyway.
But then he noticed the dark circles under her beautiful eyes and the puffiness surrounding it. She had cried. No, more than just cried, she might have cried the whole night. Nick frowned. “Have I done something to make you cry?” he asked, pushing himself to a sitting position which forced her to back away. The sheet fell to his lap as he clutched at his wound then leaned back against the headboard breathing hard. He stayed that way for a few moments, fighting for a steady breathing. There was a fist-sized red stain on the bandages wrapped around his torso, just beneath his ribs. “What time did you sleep last night? Come here and sit with me.” He reached for her hand and tugged her towards him.
Just this once, he told himself. Just that morning, because Bennett had forbidden him to interfere with the assignment, he would have to find other ways to entertain himself.
“Have you had breakfast?” he asked, using one hand to balance the tray from the bedside table to his lap. Nick lifted the cover to find that his breakfast consist of gruel and water. He looked at Claire then back to his food – the first he would eat after missing breakfast, lunch, and dinner on his wedding day – then back to Claire. He thought it was the doctor’s instructions to feed him soft food that would be easily digested. It was reasonable, and he wasn’t even sure he could hold the food down, but after missing a number of meals, he expected a better tasting alternative to gruel. Nick aimed one of his charming smiles at Claire. “You know that I will always provide for you.” He shoveled a spoonful and raised it a few inches above the bowl. “In sickness and in health,” the young man added quoting their vows while raising the spoon higher. “I wouldn’t want you to get hungry, especially after you took care of me the whole night, dear wife. Come on, share this with me. Didn’t you want to make me happier right now?”
Nick raised the spoon to her mouth, grinning. “Come on, now. Don’t be shy. It’s just you and me in the house all morning.”
Hey, I won't be able to post until Sunday, which I think is Saturday for you. I'm flying with my friends somewhere for the summer outing we planned one year ago. :D
The spy they caught was a baron's son, and so far he hasn't spilled their secrets yet.
The spy they caught was a baron's son, and so far he hasn't spilled their secrets yet.
The curtains were still drawn shut, but that didn’t stop the sunlight from lighting up the bedroom. Nicholas indeed slept through the entire day and woke up with a headache the following morning. His first thought was to get up and draw the curtains apart to allow more light to enter the room, but he found that when he tried to sit that such a menial task was very painful. Therefore, with a grunt, Nick allowed himself some more rest and laid his head back on the pillow.
That was when he realized that there was somebody else in the room with him. Nick found her resting her head on her arms, which were folded on the bed right beside his hand. Their fingers were barely touching, but it might be correct to guess that at one point Claire was holding his hand. Did she stay the whole night despite of what she said?
Nick left her alone and let his eyes wander around the room. On the bedside table, he found a tray of what he assumed was his breakfast. He couldn’t see what it was that the cook prepared for him because it was still covered, but beside the tray was a book. Nick reached far enough to retrieve the book. He was about to browse through the pages when a note fell to his chest.
Nick,
I thought you might get bored.
-Timothy
There was something odd that he noticed though. He counted three pages with dog ears, but the triangular fold from the corner of the paper varied in size. Nick looked for the words where the tip pointed to. Not surprisingly it contained a simple message – “He. Wouldn’t. Talk” All the more reason he wanted to be back on his feet and into the heart of the action. He did not enjoy the interrogation process, especially the part where he had to break the person’s will, but it was a vital part of information gathering. If this one that they caught would just cooperate, they could finish the assignment faster. The sooner it was over, the sooner he could get back to he and Claire could get back to their respective lives.
Nick closed the book and placed it down beside him as carefully as possible so that he wouldn’t disturb Claire, who he just remembered was also in the same room as him. The sooner the mission was over, the sooner their marriage would end. He turned to her. She had a very peaceful face when asleep, so very far from the angry bride he married the day before. Her facial features were relaxed and her lips were… Nick stopped his thoughts from going further. She was a beautiful lady, that was a given. There was nothing wrong with admiring her beauty, but it had to end at admiration. Then again, he remembered their kiss, the way she responded and how it made him feel.
Not able to stop himself, Nick allowed the knuckles of his hand to lightly touch her cheek, tracing the curve from her cheekbone to her jaw before he propped himself on one elbow and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He wanted to bury his hand in her hair ag—
Nicholas cursed under his breath and crossed his arms about his chest as he looked away. Where was his self control when he needed it the most?
That was when he realized that there was somebody else in the room with him. Nick found her resting her head on her arms, which were folded on the bed right beside his hand. Their fingers were barely touching, but it might be correct to guess that at one point Claire was holding his hand. Did she stay the whole night despite of what she said?
Nick left her alone and let his eyes wander around the room. On the bedside table, he found a tray of what he assumed was his breakfast. He couldn’t see what it was that the cook prepared for him because it was still covered, but beside the tray was a book. Nick reached far enough to retrieve the book. He was about to browse through the pages when a note fell to his chest.
Nick,
I thought you might get bored.
-Timothy
There was something odd that he noticed though. He counted three pages with dog ears, but the triangular fold from the corner of the paper varied in size. Nick looked for the words where the tip pointed to. Not surprisingly it contained a simple message – “He. Wouldn’t. Talk” All the more reason he wanted to be back on his feet and into the heart of the action. He did not enjoy the interrogation process, especially the part where he had to break the person’s will, but it was a vital part of information gathering. If this one that they caught would just cooperate, they could finish the assignment faster. The sooner it was over, the sooner he could get back to he and Claire could get back to their respective lives.
Nick closed the book and placed it down beside him as carefully as possible so that he wouldn’t disturb Claire, who he just remembered was also in the same room as him. The sooner the mission was over, the sooner their marriage would end. He turned to her. She had a very peaceful face when asleep, so very far from the angry bride he married the day before. Her facial features were relaxed and her lips were… Nick stopped his thoughts from going further. She was a beautiful lady, that was a given. There was nothing wrong with admiring her beauty, but it had to end at admiration. Then again, he remembered their kiss, the way she responded and how it made him feel.
Not able to stop himself, Nick allowed the knuckles of his hand to lightly touch her cheek, tracing the curve from her cheekbone to her jaw before he propped himself on one elbow and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He wanted to bury his hand in her hair ag—
Nicholas cursed under his breath and crossed his arms about his chest as he looked away. Where was his self control when he needed it the most?
I've read it and there were only minor mistakes. I make more mistakes than you do, because I usually skip proofreading and go straight to bed. Sleep is very important, I'm not minding those minor errors. :) I just read one of my older posts for reference and found a number of errors like missing words and this phrase - "four of us is"
I promise to proofread from now on. Haha! So embarrassing!
One question though. Were you referring to the one Nick and his friends captured the night before Nick & Claire's wedding?
Another question (sorry). Should Claire be in the room when Nick wakes up in the morning?
I promise to proofread from now on. Haha! So embarrassing!
One question though. Were you referring to the one Nick and his friends captured the night before Nick & Claire's wedding?
Another question (sorry). Should Claire be in the room when Nick wakes up in the morning?
I don't have special plans for the meeting. What you said above is great. Can I just suggest.for them to try to either retrieve or kill the spy prisoner. They can use Claire for this purpose
It's fine. There are only a few things to do after the doctor did his stuff. I struggled with what to post next. lol Anyway, he'd probably sleep the day and the night away so Claire can do whatever she likes.
Regarding the secondary characters, do you have a role in mind you would like to play?
Regarding the secondary characters, do you have a role in mind you would like to play?
The tending physician was a middle-aged man named Francis McQuerin. He was a military doctor who was a dear friend of Lawrence Bennett. Needless to say Dr. McQuerin saw through the masks these gentlemen wore and he was definitely not new to Nick’s risk taking.
“I did tell you to stay put, Mr. Rochford,” he scolded, pulling bloody gloves off his hands. “And you had to go the extra mile to defy my mandate. Did I fail to mention last night that one or more of your vital organs might have been pierced by the bullet?”
By the time the procedure was completed, Nick couldn’t find it in him to argue or disagree with anybody, most of all, his doctor. Nicholas coughed then winced at the unexpected pain from the injury. He remained as still as possible, allowing the assistant to finish wrapping the bandage around his middle section. The doctor confirmed that his liver was indeed injured, but he need not worry because if it were fatal Nicholas would already be dead. The thought was not reassuring, and Nick was certain the doctor didn’t mean for it to be reassuring, especially after he referred to Nick’s bloody clothing which were at the foot of the bed.
“I believe this is not your first time being shot at?”
“No doctor,” he answered truthfully, though weakly. “However, I can say that this is the most painful injury I had so far.”
The doctor smirked and looked his patient down from his spectacles. “I do hope you learn something from this ordeal, Mr. Rochford. The blood you carelessly threw away is a significant amount. Had you not conceded to return to the manor, I believe you shall die by your own foolishness alone come nightfall.”
He just nodded, like an obedient schoolboy, as Dr. McQuerin’s assistant helped him to lie down on the bed. “Drink this,” the doctor instructed and Nick did as was told. It was one of the rare moments when such obedience was observed from Nicholas, but then every ounce of energy seemed to have left his body after enduring the procedure. His remaining strength was wasted by listening to the doctor lecturing him about his health and decisions.
“I will now leave you and fetch whoever wanted to see you,” he said after his assistant and he finished cleaning up the room. Clean sheets were pulled up to his chest, covering his unclothed skin, except for his arms.
“Would you please ask my father to come in?”
The doctor nodded before he was out of Nick’s sight. He needed to talk to Bennett about what to do next, his plans and where he had scribbled them down, who were the people to talk to, and where to find these people. There had to be someone to do the job while he was restricted by the damned injury. Nick was therefore both annoyed and pleased when it was Claire who sat beside the bed and not Lawrence Bennett. He was annoyed because he bloody needed to speak with Bennett. On the other hand, he was pleased to see his wife loom over him with concern on her face. He may not love the woman, and she may not love him, but she did care for his well-being. That was enough for now.
He smiled weakly at her, though he reached out and pushed some stray strands of hair behind her ear. “It doesn’t hurt as much. Do not worry over me,” he lied. As he placed his hand down to the bed, she reached out and captured it in hers.
“Nick, you need proper rest and a bed to yourself. I would be moving around far too much if I stayed here, you know that. Everyone will understand if I stay in a guest bedroom tonight, which I plan on doing. I just wanted to let you know in case you wake up in the middle of the night. I-“
The smile slowly vanished from his face. He was feeling groggy, but he fought against the strong urge to just shut his eyes and fall asleep. He had to hear what she was proposing.
“I think it best if we leave each other be through the night until morning. Every night. Time apart will help the days together become easier to cope with, don’t you agree?”
“Every night?” he repeated, though she quickly changed the topic and asked him what she could do for him. Nick shook his head, his brown hair was ruffled and somewhat wet. “If that is what you want, Claire,” he answered sounding defeated. Even an argument with Claire was not enough motivation. He looked up at her emerald eyes. “I cannot blame you for not liking me. I have led you on and then left you alone for two weeks. Two weeks without a word or a note. And then when I finally show my face to you, I start saying the most foolish of things.” He closed his hand over her fingers and tightened his hold. “I am sorry. I apologize for my behavior, and more than that I’m sorry that you had to marry me. But one day – someday – I will make it up to you.”
Nick used his elbows to push his body up from the bed. He bit back a wince when his side protested, but pushed onward until he was sitting. His free hand cupped Claire’s cheek then he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. He leaned into her, tilting her face up so he could have better access to her soft lips. Then his hand buried itself in her blonde hair, pulling pins and liberating her long locks.
When he pulled away, his eyelids were extraordinarily heavy, but he planted one last kiss on her forehead before he let himself lie back down. “And now I can die happy,” he said with a smile before closing his eyes.
“I did tell you to stay put, Mr. Rochford,” he scolded, pulling bloody gloves off his hands. “And you had to go the extra mile to defy my mandate. Did I fail to mention last night that one or more of your vital organs might have been pierced by the bullet?”
By the time the procedure was completed, Nick couldn’t find it in him to argue or disagree with anybody, most of all, his doctor. Nicholas coughed then winced at the unexpected pain from the injury. He remained as still as possible, allowing the assistant to finish wrapping the bandage around his middle section. The doctor confirmed that his liver was indeed injured, but he need not worry because if it were fatal Nicholas would already be dead. The thought was not reassuring, and Nick was certain the doctor didn’t mean for it to be reassuring, especially after he referred to Nick’s bloody clothing which were at the foot of the bed.
“I believe this is not your first time being shot at?”
“No doctor,” he answered truthfully, though weakly. “However, I can say that this is the most painful injury I had so far.”
The doctor smirked and looked his patient down from his spectacles. “I do hope you learn something from this ordeal, Mr. Rochford. The blood you carelessly threw away is a significant amount. Had you not conceded to return to the manor, I believe you shall die by your own foolishness alone come nightfall.”
He just nodded, like an obedient schoolboy, as Dr. McQuerin’s assistant helped him to lie down on the bed. “Drink this,” the doctor instructed and Nick did as was told. It was one of the rare moments when such obedience was observed from Nicholas, but then every ounce of energy seemed to have left his body after enduring the procedure. His remaining strength was wasted by listening to the doctor lecturing him about his health and decisions.
“I will now leave you and fetch whoever wanted to see you,” he said after his assistant and he finished cleaning up the room. Clean sheets were pulled up to his chest, covering his unclothed skin, except for his arms.
“Would you please ask my father to come in?”
The doctor nodded before he was out of Nick’s sight. He needed to talk to Bennett about what to do next, his plans and where he had scribbled them down, who were the people to talk to, and where to find these people. There had to be someone to do the job while he was restricted by the damned injury. Nick was therefore both annoyed and pleased when it was Claire who sat beside the bed and not Lawrence Bennett. He was annoyed because he bloody needed to speak with Bennett. On the other hand, he was pleased to see his wife loom over him with concern on her face. He may not love the woman, and she may not love him, but she did care for his well-being. That was enough for now.
He smiled weakly at her, though he reached out and pushed some stray strands of hair behind her ear. “It doesn’t hurt as much. Do not worry over me,” he lied. As he placed his hand down to the bed, she reached out and captured it in hers.
“Nick, you need proper rest and a bed to yourself. I would be moving around far too much if I stayed here, you know that. Everyone will understand if I stay in a guest bedroom tonight, which I plan on doing. I just wanted to let you know in case you wake up in the middle of the night. I-“
The smile slowly vanished from his face. He was feeling groggy, but he fought against the strong urge to just shut his eyes and fall asleep. He had to hear what she was proposing.
“I think it best if we leave each other be through the night until morning. Every night. Time apart will help the days together become easier to cope with, don’t you agree?”
“Every night?” he repeated, though she quickly changed the topic and asked him what she could do for him. Nick shook his head, his brown hair was ruffled and somewhat wet. “If that is what you want, Claire,” he answered sounding defeated. Even an argument with Claire was not enough motivation. He looked up at her emerald eyes. “I cannot blame you for not liking me. I have led you on and then left you alone for two weeks. Two weeks without a word or a note. And then when I finally show my face to you, I start saying the most foolish of things.” He closed his hand over her fingers and tightened his hold. “I am sorry. I apologize for my behavior, and more than that I’m sorry that you had to marry me. But one day – someday – I will make it up to you.”
Nick used his elbows to push his body up from the bed. He bit back a wince when his side protested, but pushed onward until he was sitting. His free hand cupped Claire’s cheek then he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. He leaned into her, tilting her face up so he could have better access to her soft lips. Then his hand buried itself in her blonde hair, pulling pins and liberating her long locks.
When he pulled away, his eyelids were extraordinarily heavy, but he planted one last kiss on her forehead before he let himself lie back down. “And now I can die happy,” he said with a smile before closing his eyes.
“Antoine will have to go to France in my stead,” Nicholas was telling Mr. Bennett. “That is a better idea as he will most definitely not have a hard time blending in. Besides, my French is not very good.”
The gentleman’s graying brows were furrowed as he listened to what his son was saying. He sat on the opposite bench of the carriage while Timothy Gladstone guarded the door. They had just deposited the groom to his carriage and he sat in the most comfortable position that the carriage can provide for him. “You cannot possibly be thinking about our mission at this hour, James,” Tim scolded in a harsh whisper, leaning against his knees. “I don’t want to hear any of this. We will wait for Claire and we will see you rested and tended by a physician. You are to stay out of the operation until our physician cleared you. Do you understand?”
“But we had just gotten in our custody a very probable spy,” the younger man protested, though weakly.
“We shall take care of it. The order is final, James. You will not leave the premises of the property in Kensington until you have been cleared by the physician. Doing otherwise will be grounds for insubordination.”
Bennett didn’t wait for an answer, because he would not accept any answer other than that Nick would comply with the demands of his superior. He stepped down of the carriage and left the injured gentleman to reflect on his actions for the day.
His time for reflection wasn’t that long though, for in just a few moments, his bride came rushing in the carriage. The door was instantly shut behind her and she spoke quick words strung into sentences that were laced with worry. He could see in her face and in her gestures that more than she was upset by him not telling her that he was hurt, she was worried for his well-being. He honestly didn’t expect that reaction from her. With the way she had treated him the whole day, he expected her to be more than happy to hear that her new husband might die on their first day as newlyweds.
“Bradley,” he supplied, on the topic of his middle name. “My middle name is Bradley. You can now properly fuss at me.” Despite the pain and the continuous flow of blood drenching his waistcoat and right hand, Nick’s smile was lopsided and full of mischief. It might be his reaction to her worried gestures, to smile and somehow reassure her that he was fine. He was not fine.
“I can’t believe you went through this entire day without saying a word. I’ve been so selfish without realizing it. Here I’m complaining because you haven’t spoken to me recently, and you’ve been bleeding all morning. Can I see where…? At least when we get home if not now?”
“No, dear wife,” he objected. “It is something a lady of gentle upbringing such as yourself should not see and could not handle. Please leave it to the physicians. Rest assured, I am fine.”
The carriage started moving and Claire settled back on her seat. “And you were still going to take me to France. That was unbelievably kind, but you do realize there’s no way we’re going.”
Nick nodded, looking out the window as the carriage started to move and their guests were coming out of the Abbott’s mansion. “I was foolish to overestimate the capacities of my body. I expected to be able to make it through the day. I am sorry I ruined our wedding day. I should be taking you to Paris by now,” he admitted. He did want to go to Paris himself. London was a beautiful place, but he liked how France was more liberate.
Then he felt her place her hand on his thigh. The slight pressure got his attention and his blue eyes turned to her. “We may not love each other but you’re not getting up until the physician says it’s all right. Please, your father can attend to the business and I’ll take care of anything else. I…why didn’t you tell me? No, don’t answer that. Don’t speak, we just need to get you home and in bed. You did this just to get off the couch, didn’t you? Fine, you win for now…until you get better, that is.”
It occurred to him to cheat to ensure his victory over the bedroom issue, but he figured that she would not win against him in an actual race. The accusation was therefore invalid and only accomplished to turn his polite lopsided smile into a grin. “You can always welcome to join me, Mrs. Rochford.”
The whole house was bustling with activities when the couple arrived. They were not supposed to arrive until after that week because of their honeymoon. Therefore when a servant came running to break the news that their master would come home earlier, every able hand became doubly busy.
Tim and Bennett were first to arrive at the mansion. With them were a doctor, Mr. Bennett, and Claire’s father. However, it was only Timothy who was waiting at the front door. He carefully assisted Nick up to the master’s bedroom. He was a few inches shorter than Nick, and was a bit on the narrow side. He probably weighed less than the taller guy, but Tim carried most of his friend’s weight up the flight of stairs. The physician followed them closely as they entered the room.
Mr. Bennett, on the other hand, stopped Claire when she tried to follow. “The place is not for a lady,” he reminded the bride. “Let us wait here for any news.”
The news came about an hour after. Bennett got to his feet quickly after the door to the master’s bedroom opened. He walked up to the physician, and the two talked in hushed tones. Once they were done, Bennett turned to Claire. “Darling, Nicholas is in no apparent danger. The injury was stitched close again and he should not be exerting too much effort to prevent this from happening again. If you would like to see him, the physician said he gave him something that will help him rest better, but Nick is currently conscious. The medicine might take effect in a few minutes yet.”
The gentleman’s graying brows were furrowed as he listened to what his son was saying. He sat on the opposite bench of the carriage while Timothy Gladstone guarded the door. They had just deposited the groom to his carriage and he sat in the most comfortable position that the carriage can provide for him. “You cannot possibly be thinking about our mission at this hour, James,” Tim scolded in a harsh whisper, leaning against his knees. “I don’t want to hear any of this. We will wait for Claire and we will see you rested and tended by a physician. You are to stay out of the operation until our physician cleared you. Do you understand?”
“But we had just gotten in our custody a very probable spy,” the younger man protested, though weakly.
“We shall take care of it. The order is final, James. You will not leave the premises of the property in Kensington until you have been cleared by the physician. Doing otherwise will be grounds for insubordination.”
Bennett didn’t wait for an answer, because he would not accept any answer other than that Nick would comply with the demands of his superior. He stepped down of the carriage and left the injured gentleman to reflect on his actions for the day.
His time for reflection wasn’t that long though, for in just a few moments, his bride came rushing in the carriage. The door was instantly shut behind her and she spoke quick words strung into sentences that were laced with worry. He could see in her face and in her gestures that more than she was upset by him not telling her that he was hurt, she was worried for his well-being. He honestly didn’t expect that reaction from her. With the way she had treated him the whole day, he expected her to be more than happy to hear that her new husband might die on their first day as newlyweds.
“Bradley,” he supplied, on the topic of his middle name. “My middle name is Bradley. You can now properly fuss at me.” Despite the pain and the continuous flow of blood drenching his waistcoat and right hand, Nick’s smile was lopsided and full of mischief. It might be his reaction to her worried gestures, to smile and somehow reassure her that he was fine. He was not fine.
“I can’t believe you went through this entire day without saying a word. I’ve been so selfish without realizing it. Here I’m complaining because you haven’t spoken to me recently, and you’ve been bleeding all morning. Can I see where…? At least when we get home if not now?”
“No, dear wife,” he objected. “It is something a lady of gentle upbringing such as yourself should not see and could not handle. Please leave it to the physicians. Rest assured, I am fine.”
The carriage started moving and Claire settled back on her seat. “And you were still going to take me to France. That was unbelievably kind, but you do realize there’s no way we’re going.”
Nick nodded, looking out the window as the carriage started to move and their guests were coming out of the Abbott’s mansion. “I was foolish to overestimate the capacities of my body. I expected to be able to make it through the day. I am sorry I ruined our wedding day. I should be taking you to Paris by now,” he admitted. He did want to go to Paris himself. London was a beautiful place, but he liked how France was more liberate.
Then he felt her place her hand on his thigh. The slight pressure got his attention and his blue eyes turned to her. “We may not love each other but you’re not getting up until the physician says it’s all right. Please, your father can attend to the business and I’ll take care of anything else. I…why didn’t you tell me? No, don’t answer that. Don’t speak, we just need to get you home and in bed. You did this just to get off the couch, didn’t you? Fine, you win for now…until you get better, that is.”
It occurred to him to cheat to ensure his victory over the bedroom issue, but he figured that she would not win against him in an actual race. The accusation was therefore invalid and only accomplished to turn his polite lopsided smile into a grin. “You can always welcome to join me, Mrs. Rochford.”
The whole house was bustling with activities when the couple arrived. They were not supposed to arrive until after that week because of their honeymoon. Therefore when a servant came running to break the news that their master would come home earlier, every able hand became doubly busy.
Tim and Bennett were first to arrive at the mansion. With them were a doctor, Mr. Bennett, and Claire’s father. However, it was only Timothy who was waiting at the front door. He carefully assisted Nick up to the master’s bedroom. He was a few inches shorter than Nick, and was a bit on the narrow side. He probably weighed less than the taller guy, but Tim carried most of his friend’s weight up the flight of stairs. The physician followed them closely as they entered the room.
Mr. Bennett, on the other hand, stopped Claire when she tried to follow. “The place is not for a lady,” he reminded the bride. “Let us wait here for any news.”
The news came about an hour after. Bennett got to his feet quickly after the door to the master’s bedroom opened. He walked up to the physician, and the two talked in hushed tones. Once they were done, Bennett turned to Claire. “Darling, Nicholas is in no apparent danger. The injury was stitched close again and he should not be exerting too much effort to prevent this from happening again. If you would like to see him, the physician said he gave him something that will help him rest better, but Nick is currently conscious. The medicine might take effect in a few minutes yet.”
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