Page 82 of The Work of Art

How many times in the past three years had Arthur seen flashes of improvement only to have his hopes dashed? It was no wonder he was on his guard against disappointment.

“I was sorry to disillusion him. But it’s better to be realistic about these things.” He kissed the top of her head, signaling an end to the discussion. “Tell me, sweetheart, how did you find Mrs. Ogilvy?”

Philly considered her answer. She knew she should be insulted by Mrs. Ogilvy’s visit. Arthur certainly was. He’d told her that Mrs. Ogilvy was the earl’s mistress. A shocking relationship, to be sure. And Philly was shocked a little, but try as she might, she could find no fault with the woman. “She seems a cheerful sort of person.”

“Excessively so.”

“With no false airs.”

“I should think not.”

“Oh, but I do like her,” Philly admitted at last. “She isn’t at all how I imagined a gentleman’s mistress to be.”

Arthur’s hand stilled on her hair. “And how is that, my dear?”

“Well, I don’t know precisely, but my cousin Elizabeth sometimes spoke of women who rouged their cheeks, drank immoderately, and told vulgar stories. Perhaps she was referencing some other class of disreputable ladies? For you must own that Mrs. Ogilvy isn’t anything like that.”

“Not as far as I can tell.” There was a faint quake in Arthur’s voice.

She poked him. “You may well laugh. I’m sure I know nothing about mistresses and tradesmen’s widows.”

“Nor does your cousin, by the sound of it. Her description brings to mind a dame in a pantomime.”

“Well, no matter her appearance, I think it abominably unfair that a woman as amiable as Mrs. Ogilvy should be treated poorly on account of her position.”

“Marianne Ogilvy can have no complaints about her treatment here. You’ve made her and my father very welcome. So much so that I fear they’ll never want to leave.”

“She’s invited me to go for a walk with her tomorrow.”

“You’re to stay indoors and rest tomorrow,” said Arthur severely. “It’s too soon after your fall to go walking with anyone.”

“Nonsense. Mrs. Lamb gave me a thorough going over, and says I’m perfectly fine.” She leaned over Arthur to kiss one of the knife scars that marked his chest. His breath caught the instant her lips touched his skin. “Indeed, I feel extraordinarily well.”

“I can see that.” Arthur pulled her farther up across his chest and captured her mouth in his.

Philly could feel his heart hammering in time with hers as she melted along the length of his body, her lips giving way to his with a contented sigh. “Stay with me tonight.”

He gave a low groan of frustration. “You know I cannot.”

“But your nightmares have lessened. You told me so yourself. I’m sure that nothing—”

“Philly, I won’t take even the smallest chance of hurting you again.” His hands moved over her linen-clad back in a warm caress. “But I promise I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”

“Perhaps I won’t fall asleep, then,” she said. “I’ll make you stay awake with me all night.”

“That’s hardly a threat, my dear. Besides, after the scare you gave me today, I doubt whether I shall ever sleep again.”

She lay her cheek down on his shoulder. “I’m sorry you were scared. Greene shouldn’t have carried me in as he did. It made everything appear so much worse. You must speak to him. I told him to put me down and he wouldn’t listen to me at all. What was I to do? It’s really too much when one’s servants pretend they can’t hear you.”

Arthur ran his fingers through her hair, lifting it off of her shoulder. He bent his head to kiss her neck. “If he’s offended you, I’ll speak to him, but Greene was right to carry you in. You could have died in that fall.”

“Do you think he meant me to?”

Arthur’s lips stilled on her neck mid-kiss. Very slowly, he drew back. “Who?”

“The poacher who was digging on the riding path, of course. I didn’t like to say so to Greene, but I can’t believe that little trench was a snare for an animal. It seems to me the poacher was trying to hurt someone. And Greene and I ride that exact path every day. It wouldn’t be difficult for someone to memorize our habits.”

Arthur gently eased her off of him. “I’m going to light the fire.”