Perhaps she was about to cast up her accounts.
She brushed a curl from her face. “I might need clothes not to cause a scandal. Or a new one.”
Personally, he preferred her in his nightshirt. “It might be too late for that, but Mrs. Wilson should have something for you.”
He walked out of the bedroom, rather confused and somewhat less frustrated than when he’d entered to confront her, and he wasn’t sure why.
Seven
Esther’s skin itched everywhere as she was sitting in front of the vanity while a maid styled her hair.
Maybe it was the gown Mrs. Wilson had given her; its rough fabric chafed her neck and arms. Or maybe it was the aftermath of whatever she’d drunk last night.
She didn’t have a single memory of what she’d done past drinking from the vial. She couldn’t even recall if she’d drunk it all. If she focused, visions of people laughing and bright lights crossed her mind, but nothing was clear. And she’d kissed Alexander. She didn’t remember that, either. The conversation with Minnie about him must have influenced her inexcusable actions.
“Done, my lady.” The maid finished taming Esther’s wild hair in a decent chignon.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror. She couldn’t decide if her cheeks were pale or not. Her eyes seemed bigger and brighter, and her head felt heavy. Aside from that, her strength had returned.
She stood up. “Thank you.”
She’d talked too soon. Going down the stairs challenged her sense of balance as the world tilted. She gripped the bannister, worried she might fall over.
“Esther.” Alexander hurried down the stairs to take her elbow. “What is it?”
“A bit of a turn.”
“Perhaps you should eat something before going out.” His concerned tone made her feel guilty.
“I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“More than stealing my foil and hiding it somewhere?” He smiled teasingly.
“I don’t want to further inconvenience you.” She stopped. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember any of that. I feel guilty anyway.”
He helped her down the stairs again. “Let me help you.”
She leant into him as they went down the stairs. “The foil must be important to you.”
“Yes, but mostly I confess I was worried about your lack of judgement. Anything could have happened to you last night while you were in that state.”
“Minnie is my friend. I had no idea she would give me something capable of making me behave like that and making me forget about it.”
He stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “Minnie gave you something?”
“A vial of a drink.” In broad daylight with her head dizzy, it sounded stupid to her own ears.
His facial lines tensed. “Your friend drugged you and left you alone.”
“We don’t know that. I mean, she gave me the vial, but I don’t know if she left me alone. I’ll ask her a few questions.”
He shook his head. “I want to take care of you first. You need to eat something.” His voice lowered to a husky tone she didn’t mind.
The panorama from the sunroom was the first good thing about that day. It offered an unobstructed view of the sandy beach and the sea shining like glittering gold in the sunshine. The large window took up three entire walls, so wherever she moved, the sea followed her.
“It’s stunning. It’s like flying over the sea.” She tilted her head up and was surprised to find him smiling at her.
It was a simple, boyish smile that started a flutter in her belly.
