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Five

Thesame bedchamber

ONE WEEK LATER – AFTERNOON

Siobhanthought she might scream from boredom. She turned away from the window overlooking the bustling street and, folding her arms around her middle, paced across the gold and Persian blue Aubusson carpet once more.

Theplush pile squishing beneath her toes felt divine.

This is only temporary, she reminded herself, lest she become accustomed to the luxury as she feared Paddy and Kimber had already begun to do.

She’dfelt wholly recovered the past two days, yet that handsome, stubborn donkey’s bottom who practically held her prisoner refused to let her leave her richly appointed chamber. In truth, Fletcher had ordered her to stay abed—doctor’s orders, he said—but her muscles needed exercising.

Hermind as well.

Unaccustomedto idleness, Siobhan was ready to climb the walls of the lavish chamber furnished with a rosewood four-poster bed, armoire, dressing table, nightstands, sitting table, and two tufted gold brocade chairs.

Likethe rest ofDe la Chance, royal blue, gold, and black accents decorated the bedchamber. The gold and blue brocade draperies perfectly complimented the blue velvet damask wallpaper and the trompe-l’oeil ceiling, complete with plump cherubs. Rather than overbearing, the color combination created an air of understated elegance, which was undoubtedly what FletcherWestbrook wanted.

Lastevening, footmen and maids had delivered a much-welcome bath and fresh nightgown to Siobhan’s chamber. She’d washed her hair and let the mass hang loose to dry.

Afterso many months of hiding her hair—her one vanity—Siobhan couldn’t bring herself to plait the waist-length tresses again. Hence, the locks hung loose, swaying with her aggravated steps.

Atleast the beast had conceded to allow Paddy and Kimber to visit each morning and evening, though why he’d changed his mind, Siobhan didn’t have a clue. Kimber’s ailment was nothing more serious than a summer cold from which she’d recovered. Paddy remained unafflicted but had acquired a serious case of hero worship.

Bothchildren sang FletcherWestbrook’s praises until Siobhan was hard put not to snap at them.

“Mr. Westbrook bought me new boots.”

“Look at my pretty shoes.”

“Mr. Westbrook has Mrs. Dough make us different biscuits every day.”

“Mr. Westbrook says we might read in his private salon.”

“Mr. Westbrook is so kind.”

“Mr. Westbrook is so generous.

“Did you know Mr. Westbrook has six brothers and a sister?”

“Mr. Westbrook’s father is a duke.”

Siobhanknew the latter two facts because she had struck up a friendship with PrimroseMcKessick before the former bookkeeper had married LeonidasWestbrook.

Apang twinged in her chest.

Shemissed her only friend, even if Primrose hadn’t known Siobhan was a woman.

Somehow, she thought the newest Westbrook bride wouldn’t condemn her but, instead, applaud her boldness and resourcefulness.

DidFletcher think to use her siblings against her?

“Oooh.” Growling in frustration, Siobhan fisted her hands. Moreover, the roué endearing himself to the children with gifts and attention could only lead to heartbreak for them later. Had he considered that at all?

Onthe one hand, while she’d been ill, Siobhan’s siblings had fared well. On the other hand, she expected Fletcher to boot them all to the curb as soon as DoctorPhilbourne declared her fit.

However, she would not pretend to be ill and frail to postpone the inevitable.