Page 99 of Tempting the Marquess

“Lady Samantha, I am rather relieved to report that apart from your wrists, you are quite well. Apply the same salve twice daily. However, for the sake of your delicate condition and the distress you suffered, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that bed rest is imperative. At least aweek.”

“We were planning to travel shortly to Standish Castle, to be married,” said Samantha, glancing at her fiancé. “Country air would be better than city, surely.”

“I’ll be going to see the archbishop to secure a special license,” added William.

Dr. Murray gave him a look which silenced any further words. “As I was saying, rest is absolutely necessary. A week, then you may travel. I’m sure I don’t need to advise on the avoidance of any trouble until after the baby is born. That goes for the both of you. Even healthy bodies cannot continue to undergo such distress, and I would regard any situation involving weapons as distressing! You will take the air, stroll sedately, and eat nourishing food. But strictly no riding hell for leather, no gallivanting around the countryside chasing criminals, and no encounters with people who want to kill you. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Dr. Murray,” Samantha replied very, very meekly. William glared at the physician, but eventually nodded curtly.

“Good,” the older man said, apparently appeased. “I shall call again in a few days to check on you both, although you know where to find me if you have any concerns. I’ll now go and see to Lady Claremont, but as I said after my initial examination, I’m convinced she will walk again. Good day to you, my lord, mylady.”

Bowing, he collected his brown medical bag and left theroom.

“If Geoffrey Murray wasn’t the best doctor in England,” William growled, “I would have thrown him out on his aggravating backside hours ago. Victoria must have the patience of a saint, working with her father every day. He never thanks her. Or offers a word of praise, and she’s so skillful.”

Samantha rolled her eyes. “While I completely agree about Victoria, some might call avoidance of criminals and murderous plots sensible advice rather than a tiresome lecture.”

“Ha. I should have known from the start those rosy cheeks meant warrior cherub rather than maidenly shyness. God help me if we have a daughter; I suspect she’ll have a double dose of minx to go with her untamablehair.”

“I think we’re going to have a boy. Mischievous, and untamablehair.”

He sighed. “I’d best purchase shares in a hairbrush factory, then. Between the throwing and the snapping…”

“They’ll all need to be proficient with a hairbrush before moving onto a dagger,” said Samantha sweetly.

William groaned and covered his face with his hands. “I shall purchase archery boards as well. No cushion or chaise arm will have to sacrifice itself.”

“Beg pardon?”

“Do not take that innocent tone with me, madam. Stephen found your stabbed cushion collection at Forsyth House. Or should I say, a maid found the chaise with gouges in the arm and cushions all turned around the wrong way and swooned. A sharp lesson for miscreant furnishings.”

Her cheeks heated, and she jumped up from the bed to walk over to the tea tray. “Speaking of miscreants…let’s see if there is anything in the newspapers regarding the other day. Oh, these tarts look good. If I don’t have one now, I’ll start gnawing onyou.”

William grinned. “Then by all means eat. Licking, sucking, and kissing I’ll permit, but gnawing does not sound like fun forme.”

She poked her tongue out at him, and selected a newspaper from the top of the pile. There were a few articles, but the items and newspaper headlines announcing the death of her uncle and his butler were surprisingly lacking in fanfare or gruesome details.

“Listen to this, William. It just says that the Earl and Countess of Claremont were set upon by housebreakers. Tragically, the earl and his butler, Mr. Joseph Penn, lost their lives. The countess received serious injuries, but is expected to make a full recovery. It was concerned neighbors who summoned help, and the housebreakers, a man of foreign birth and his female accomplice, were subsequently removed from the address. London residents need not be concerned about similar incidents.”

“A mildly factual account.”

Samantha nodded. It was strange to think of the man she had called Papa being dead. But while she would never forget the terrible things she’d seen and done, far stronger was the relief that John Buchanan could never again threaten William or their child, not to mention countless others with his traitorous activities.

Returning to the bed with the tray, Samantha arranged herself on top, then pulled the tray onto her lap. William joined her, settling on the right hand side of the bed so he could slide his uninjured arm around her shoulders. She tilted her head to rest it on his chest, cuddling close to his warmth and strength as she nibbled on a tart. “There is only one problem with the mildly factual account. While I’m glad there will be no stain of treason on my mother or Aunt Jane and Stephen, no one will ever know how brave you were coming to rescue me, or how you bested two of England’s most wanted traitors.”

He laughed. “Now who’s telling a mildly factual account? Several times I thought we were defeated. And then you reduced Phillipe to an observer role with a perfect throw to pin his wrist and nick his artery. I might have shot Claremont, but who finished him off? You are a dangerous woman, mylady.”

“We are a dangerous duo, mylord.”

“Indeed. One thing I have been wondering…where on earth were you hiding your dagger?”

“I’ll show you when we are married.”

“That is at least a week away. I’m crushed.”

Samantha snorted. “Crushed like an autumn leaf under yourboot?”

He froze. “Uh…excuseme?”