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Tricia went back to his bedside once more, kissed his cheek. “I love you so very much, my Thomas.”
“And I love you too, sweetheart. I shall see you later.”
“You absolutely shall.”
Once Lady Clementine and Tricia left his chamber, Thomas rang for Longbottom.
“Yes, my Lord,” the valet said.
“Summon my cousin, Jonathan Jameson,” Thomas said. “Along with Viscount Polk and Lord Victor.”
“Of course, at once, my Lord.”
The Polks and Jonathan had started the fire in Thomas’s study to destroy his father’s journal.
They were going to pay.
34
Tricia wanted desperately to see Cameron and show off her betrothal ring, but Lady Clementine insisted she head back to bed as well.
“You’ve been through a lot, my dear,” her mother said. “The earl needs his rest, but you do as well. I shall have Trudy bring you your breakfast in bed.”
“Mummy, I feel absolutely fine.” Indeed, her words were not a lie. Tricia was walking on air. She would marry the man of her dreams—the man she’d worshiped from afar for the last four years.
And indeed, her feelings had grown only deeper.
Getting to know Thomas, seeing his strength, his passion…
She would be his perfect wife.
Trudy helped her out of her garments and back into her chemise and bloomers, and she got into bed.
As a yawn split her face and she recovered from yet another coughing fit, she realized her mother was right. Exhaustion still weighed upon her, and sleeping away the morning sounded like a fine idea.
Besides, she was wearing Thomas’s betrothal ring. A few hours of sleep would not change any of that.
A few moments later, Trudy returned with a light breakfast. A pot of morning tea, a scone and clotted cream, and two poached eggs with a slice of ham. Tricia inhaled it and realized she had been quite famished. She hadn’t eaten anything at the ball last night, and she’d eaten lightly at dinner.
“Thank you, Trudy,” she said.
“Of course, my lady. Do you require anything else?”
“I’m going to eat this, and then I’m going to try to get some rest. My mother’s orders, you know.”
“Your mother is quite right, my lady. You been through a harrowing experience.” Trudy looked her up and down. “It’s amazing that you came through so unscathed. No burns on you.”
“I know, Trudy. Believe me, I’m forever grateful for my luck. If the earl hadn’t come…”
“There’s no need to think about that,” Trudy said. “The earl did come. And you will both recover nicely.”
“Yes, and then I shall marry him.” She looked lovingly at the ring on her hand again. “I shall marry the most perfect man ever.”
Trudy simply smiled and curtsied. “I’m very happy for you, my lady.” She excused herself and went about her business.
Tricia spread some clotted cream on her scone and stirred a bit of milk into her tea.
Why had she found herself in such peril lately? It was her own fault, of course. She shouldn’t have been nosing about the earl’s house on either occasion. When she wandered up to the fourth floor, she found herself in peril on the parapet. And when she wandered into his unlocked office last evening?—
