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The bullet dropped into the metal bowl, and Timothy made a vow.
He would excise love and passion from his heart as surely as the surgeon removed the piece of metal from his shoulder.
Physician, heal thyself.
And so he had. For five years, he’d kept her from his thoughts. But the pill had been bitter. Of course, it helped when he’d found out Merilee had only pursued him for his title and money, with every intention of keeping her lover secreted away.
But then Priscilla had barged into his life.
He poured more whisky, desperately trying to erase the sight of her on the arm of Mr. Netherborne, her face shining with adoration.
Just like Merilee.
What a fool he’d been.
He jerked at the soft knock on the open door.
Rivers, his valet, stood at the opening. Financial matters being what they were, Timothy kept a small staff, a cook, a maid, one footman, and Rivers, who served as butler as well.
“Sir, you have a caller.”
Timothy glanced at the clock on the mantle, shocked at how much time had passed, lost as he was in his maudlin thoughts. “At this hour?”
“She says it’s urgent.”
She?“Is it my sister?” Panic snaked up his spine that perhaps Lizzie had taken ill.
“No, sir.” Rivers squirmed as if uncomfortable. “She said to tell you Emma wishes to speak with you.”
Perhaps the liquor had dulled his senses more than he’d hoped. “Em—”Oh!“Send her in, Rivers.”
Muted voices drifted in, and footsteps followed.
“Miss Emma, sir,” Rivers announced.
Timothy scraped a hand through his hair, well aware of his disheveled appearance.
Priscilla, on the other hand, looked exquisite.
A royal blue cloak covered her from head to toe, and even in the shadowed light, the clear bright blue of her eyes put the rich color to shame. Blond curls, so soft his fingers itched to touch them, peeked out from the hood.
“Do you require anything else, sir? Would you like me to have the cook prepare some tea?”
Timothy wrenched his gaze from Priscilla to his valet. “No, thank you, Rivers. It’s late. Don’t disturb her. MissEmmawon’t be staying long.”
Priscilla cringed.
Good.
Despite his adamant assertions that he did not wish to cause her pain, Timothy had an unhealthy satisfaction of wounding her just a little.
Rivers nodded and made a hasty exit, leaving the door open.
The simple act sharpened Timothy’s awareness, and he stared at Priscilla. “Where is your maid? Aren’t you taking a terrible chance coming unchaperoned to see an unmarried man so close to your nuptials,Emma?” His words came out cold and unfeeling, even though they sliced through him.
Her pink tongue darted out and licked her rosebud lips.
He groaned inwardly as his groin tightened.
