Page 21 of The Marquess of Secrets

Lydia never heard the man come into the room. The marquess stood at the foot of her bed, looking every inch an aristocrat.

Her rescuer. Her savior.

The marquess was above average height; she would guess a shade under six feet. His black hair was styled to perfection, and the light reflected on shades of brown mixed in. How unique.

Hard to make out the color of his eyes as he stood far enough away, but then her vision was still hazy.

But not enough to see the marquess was a handsome man.

A wide mouth and a longish nose kept him from complete perfection, but it made his face arresting. There were no long whiskers as many men sported of late, but a thin, close-cropped beard.

“Are you able to speak?” His voice was deep but empathetic.

Lydia shook her head.

“You’ve been here three days. You are welcome to stay as my guest until you’re completely recovered. I understand it may take a week or more. Do you?”

She nodded.

“Excellent. You nearly succumbed to the fever, and the bite on your hand has a slight infection. Was it a rat?”

Lydia nodded again, glancing at her wrapped hand. The ghastly creature had tried to snatch her bread as she nodded off. They had quite a struggle over it until the beast nipped her hand. There was no sleeping peacefully after that.

“The bite has been treated. I do not believe it will turn putrid.”

How would he know? Perhaps a doctor informed him. Did his lordship engage a doctor to treat her? What an extravagance.

“All I ask in return for staying here? When you’re able to converse, I require you to reveal the facts of your circumstances. Do you promise to tell me the complete truth?”

Frankly, she was weary of lying. Where had it gotten her so far?

There was the chance this marquess would toss her out as soon as he heard her sordid story. Lydia no longer cared. As long as she could recover first.

One thing at a time.

Closing her eyes, she nodded.

“Excellent. The housekeeper will be along with a bowl of broth, eat it all, then sleep as long as you like. Good afternoon.”

His luxurious voice settled over her like a warm blanket. As Lydia drifted off, she wondered: had she heard the melodic tones before?

* * *

Harrison crossed the threshold of his room to find Gillis waiting for him.

“Are you going out tonight, my lord?”

He should venture to terminus as Miss Best was in no condition for an extended conversation.

“I will be heading to my club after dinner. What is on the menu tonight?”

Gillis stepped forward to remove Harrison’s jacket.

“Poached salmon in a dill sauce. Roasted carrots. Other assorted well-seasoned root vegetables swimming in a rich sauce, I imagine.” His valet replied dryly. “Was your meeting with the Earl of Shaftesbury and the Earl of Carnstone a success, my lord?”

Gillis deftly removed his shirt, then slipped his dressing gown over his shoulders.

“Yes. A complete success.”