22. Chapter 22 #2
“I am angry because you deliberately put yourself in danger last night. Because you were going to run away rather than accept my help. I am angry because you scared ten years off my life stumbling into my house, bloody and barely conscious.” As he ranted, he came up onto his knees, his hands slicing through the air at each offense.
When he took a breath, Emma extended her good hand to grab hold of his. “I’m sorry I scared you. Can you help me sit up a little? If we are going to argue, I would like to be able to look you in the eye.”
She smiled up at him, and with some relief, his anger seemed to sputter out.
He sighed as he leaned down to gently lift her forward.
He propped up several pillows behind her back before letting her lean back again.
Emma gritted her teeth against the pain, but as she settled, she found she was more comfortable than before.
Andrew got off the bed and went over to pour her a glass of water.
“I thought I was doing what was best for everyone,” she said.
He handed her the glass, his frown back in place. “You were sorely mistaken. In fact, your decisions almost got you killed last night. But you are here with me now, and I will be making the decisions moving forward.”
Emma bristled at his tirade. But Andrew took no notice as he continued to pace back and forth across the thick blue oriental carpet. “We will be retiring to Stoneleigh, where I will take care of you while you recuperate. And you will let me. Is that clear?”
“You cannot just whisk me away. I will go home and recuperate in my own bed, thank you,” Emma countered.
She could not believe his arrogance. She would never say yes to a proposal like that.
She was trying to save her family’s reputation, not ruin it by joining the duke at his estate.
Even if what he described did sound like heaven.
A chance to get away from town, from her responsibilities, and time to recover.
“And you will no longer by any means steal another bauble. You are officially retired.”
Emma’s eyes widened at his audacity. Then it struck her. “My necklace! Where is my necklace?”
“It is somewhere safe until it can be returned. From whom did you steal it?” Andrew crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Emma glowered at him. But she didn’t get the chance to respond because the door opened, and Lucy rushed into the room.
Her long blonde hair was pinned back carelessly and tumbled about her shoulders.
She wore a plain green cotton dress. A wool shawl lay askew across her shoulders, as though hastily donned. Her face was a study in worry.
Winston pulled the door shut behind her.
Lucy addressed Andrew. “What’s happened? Your note said she had been hurt.”
“Your sister was shot last night. She stumbled into my study bleeding, her shoulder dislocated,” Andrew replied succinctly.
Emma gasped. “Andrew!” He needn’t make it sound so dire. He would scare Lucy. She looked over at Lucy, expecting to see her distraught, but instead Lucy’s eyes blazed with anger. Her sister stalked over to the bed.
“I cannot believe you would go behind my back and do another job! You promised me you were done.” Then her eyes filled with tears.
“This is exactly the kind of scenario I picture every time you go out into the night. How could you be so careless with yourself when you know how much we love you?” Tears spilled down her face.
The sharp bite of guilt stole her breath.
She reached out her good hand. “Oh, Lucy, I’m sorry.
I wasn’t being careless, I swear. It was just bad luck.
They came home early from the theatre and saw me before I could get down the back stairs.
When he shot me, I was thrown back, and I tumbled all the way down the stairs… ”
Both Lucy and Andrew stared at her, slack-jawed.
Andrew turned to Lucy. “She really doesn’t understand, does she?”
“No.” Lucy shook her head. “She thinks she can do whatever she wants with no consequences.”
Andrew walked over and gently wiped a tear from Lucy’s face with his thumb. “Don’t worry, this will never happen again. Emma is officially retired. I am going to take her to my estate in Kent to recuperate.”
“Will you two stop talking about me like I am not in the room?” Emma snapped.
A hot bolt of jealousy had sliced through her when Andrew touched Lucy.
Heat flushed her cheeks. She knew it was ridiculous and peevish.
She despised that Lucy and Andrew were both angry with her.
The pain in her arm and shoulder throbbed like a heartbeat.
She bit her lower lip as tears pricked at the backs of her eyes. She had really made a mess of things.
Andrew looked over at her, concern radiating from him. “Are you in pain?”
Emma nodded, though it was not the type he meant.
“Do you want some laudanum now?” he asked.
“Yes, I think I would. My arm is burning.”
Andrew fetched the bottle and gently tipped it to Emma’s lips. “Just a little and you should be able to rest more comfortably.” His eyes were so kind. He would take care of things if she let him. Exhausted, she almost wanted to let him.
Andrew spoke to Lucy. “Do you think you could get together some clothes and things she will need? I will have someone pick them up tomorrow. I think you should write a note to my mother. Act as if you are Emma; explain she must go out of town for a few weeks to take care of an ailing elderly aunt or something along those lines. And would she watch out for you, Lucy. I know Mother would gladly help you. She is not familiar with either of your handwriting yet, and Emma won’t be able to write anything with her arm.
Are you comfortable with a little deceit? ”
“Yes, I think so,” Lucy replied.
“Humph!” Emma snorted from the bed.
This time, it was Lucy who glared. “This is hardly the same thing, Emma. Our little white lie will not be putting anyone in harm’s way.”
“What about the children? What are you going to tell them?” Emma asked.
Lucy bit her lip. “I think I will just keep the stories consistent and tell them the same thing. That you are visiting a sick friend of Mother’s. I can handle them.” Straightening her shoulders, she turned to Andrew. “I will get her things ready.”
“And Fergus,” Emma said, her head starting to feel fuzzy. A pleasant feeling of calm replaced the pain.
“What? No.” Andrew shook his head.
“But he has never been without me for so long. He will be beside himself with worry.” She hoped her argument wasn’t tempered by the fact she couldn’t seem to keep her eyes open. She snuggled back against the pillows. “If you insist on being so high-handed, I must have an ally.”
Andrew let out a long sigh. “Fine, we will bring the damn dog.”