He gave her an approving nod. “I like hearing my given name from your lips.”
As she allowed him to escort her back inside the townhouse, Ellie was pleased that he had confided in her, and found that her respect for him had grown immensely. She had meant it when she’d called him her hero.
In that moment, she realized that she loved this man.
18
With the sunstreaming in her window, Ellie laid in bed as she thought about Roswell. He had claimed her heart, but would he ever return her affection? It was evident that he held her in some regard, or he would never have confided in her.
How she had grown to care for this man! How could she not? Roswell trusted her enough to be vulnerable around her, revealing his greatest secret. She knew he was struggling with his past, and she loved him even more because of it.
A knock came at the door, breaking her from her reverie.
“Enter,” Ellie ordered.
The door opened and Mary stepped in. “Good morning,” she greeted, closing the door behind her.
“Good morning.”
“I trust that you slept well.”
“I did,” she replied.
Mary reached into the pocket of her uniform. “A letter came for you this morning.”
“Wonderful,” she said. “My mother must have written me.”
Ellie sat up in bed and rested her back against the wall. Mary walked over and handed her the letter, which she eagerly unfolded.
Meetme outside at noon or else your mother will suffer a horrible accident resulting in her death.
Come alone and tell no one.
Ellie gaspedas she dropped the letter onto the bed. She had no doubt as to who wrote the letter—Lord Worthington.
“Is everything all right, miss?” Mary asked as she watched her with concern.
“Yes,” Ellie quickly replied. “Thank you for asking.”
“You look rather pale,” Mary commented.
Ellie mustered up a smile. “I must put rouge on my cheeks, then.”
Mary didn’t appear convinced, but fortunately, she let the matter drop. Instead, she walked over to the armoire. “Would you care to dress for the day?”
“I would,” Ellie replied, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
Mary retrieved a pale pink gown with a square neckline and held it up. “I thought this dress would look splendid on you today.”
“I agree.”
Her lady’s maid walked over to the settee and draped the dress along the back. “But first, let’s pin up your hair.”
Ellie rose and walked over to the dressing table. She sat down, her mind reeling with the contents of that note. What was she going to do? She couldn’t very well meet with Lord Worthington alone; but if she didn’t, he would make good on his promise and kill her mother. She had known that Lord Worthington was disreputable, but she never thought he would stoop to such evil means to get what he wanted.
She barely acknowledged Mary as she started brushing and pinning her hair back in an elaborate chignon.
“I can’t help but notice that you seem rather preoccupied,” Mary remarked.
