Edward growled. “It won’t be pretty. This isn’t embroidery. You may wish to wait for the physician, which I don’t recommend. That sabre bit deep.”
Then he glanced at Miss Grenville and Freddy and added gruffly, “Unless you ladies wish to help, we do not need an audience.”
The older Miss Grenville swooned on cue and Freddy guided her out of the room, an apologetic smile in place. The cook lingered only long enough to complain about his dinner preparations before retreating.One by one, the staff melted away, leaving me with Kitty and Edward—and the hum of pots on the range.
My pulse hummed at Kitty’s nearness as she held a needle and thread. Given our proximity, I studied her unabashedly with the handkerchief still pressed to my face.
“Truly, you need not do this.” I reached out with my free hand, then thought the better of it and rested my fist on my knee.
She braced herself, brushing one palm against her gown. “Edward is right. Some physicians do more harm than good. I suggest you take my services unless you wish to be covered in leeches.”
A grimace pulled at my mouth.
She peeled away the cloth. Her expression pinched at the sight of my wound, and I offered a crooked grin. “That bad, eh? No longer quite so handsome?”
“You shall truly resemble a pirate now,” she quipped. Her voice wavered as her fingers grazed my jaw. A tremor ran through me at the touch, lighting fire within me.
“I fear you shall scar, Sebastian.” My name slipped from her lips again.
I covered her hand with mine, anchoring it there for a breath before letting go, realizing Edward was witness to my every action.
Had she heard the earl’s vicious slur? I hoped not. I most certainly had overheard his crass jokes about opera mistresses.
She threaded the needle with fingers that shook, her brow furrowed with concentration, worrying that full bottom lip between her teeth. I groaned unthinkingly.
Misunderstanding, Edward passed me another whiskey-dampened linen and we exchanged cloths. This one burned the moment it touched my face. Distraction enough from her.
The butler appeared in the doorway. “Sir, a visitor for you. He says it is urgent. The Clapham Sect, sir.”
“Send them away before the colonel hears,” Edward snapped as he stepped away from me.
“Begging your pardon, sir—it’s urgent.”
Edward cursed under his breath and stalked off, leaving me alone with Kitty. I frowned, not expecting such a message at this hour. I didn’t think I could handle another grilling from those men, no matter how much I admired them.
“Is your brother associated with the Claphams?” I asked.
Her brows knitted together. “I’ve no idea what Edward does most days. He drifts about London with no purpose, and I doubt he even attends classes. He shuts me out entirely. It’s infuriating.”
“Wildness often masks pain, Kitty,” I said gently.
Her breath caught as she captured my jaw. “And you? Are you one of them? Friends with the Clapham Sect?”
I closed my eyes, knowing my answer would no doubt further cloud her judgment of me. “Nay.”
Her disappointment was palpable. “I heard Lord Chudley mention you and operas earlier. What was he implying?”
A weight pressed against my chest. “I was a different man several years ago. Wild, as I said. It was a foolish escape from ... other things. I can’t pretend to be someone I’m not, Kitty. But I would like the chance to show you who I am now.”
She forced a smile as if not quite believing my plea. “Am I not simply a duty to you? The key to your inheritance?”
I swallowed hard, too aware of her light rose scent and the way her gown brushed against my knees. “You are so much more, Kitty. So much more.”
Her hand trembled as she cleaned the wound. I flinched. She mumbled an apology, beads of sweat dotting her temple. My own heart pounded at the sight of her courage.
“Tell me about India,” she demanded, then angled my chin toward the firelight and began to stitch.
The needle stung despite my bracing. I must have winced since she jerked back as if I was the one to hurt her.
