Page 77 of Tempting the Marquess

Chapter16

June

Bloody Whiteand his penchant for the dramatic.

Getting rowed out to the military ship in the dead of night, fully disguised, that William could understand. But right now he was draped in woolen blankets and strapped to a board, being carried down the gangplank by four soldiers, with his arm wrapped in about seventeen bandages. No makeup would be needed for the remnants of his supposed fever—his cheeks were flushed and his forehead dripped with sweat in the heat of the sun already.

“There he is! Get out of my way, sirs. Your lordship! Your lordship!”

William lifted his head as far as he could and smiled at the sight of his housekeeper barging through the crowds on the docks. Hard to believe he’d missed the old battle-axe, but right now, having someone around who was actually loyal to him and only him was as welcome as rain to parched earth.

“Mrs. Kingsley. A sight for soreeyes.”

She harrumphed. “Look at you, all feverish and trussed up. But the carriage is waiting just over there, with Mr. Jensen in it. Do you know the damned fool implied I wouldn’t be able to manage the task of collecting you by myself?”

“My father hired Jensen because he was the best butler in London, not because of his understanding of women and their abilities.”

“Indeed. It’s just as well he is good at something,” she said disdainfully as their group made their way toward his carriage. “Abundantly clear why he never married.”

“Now, now. Be charitable. Not everyone is as, ah, capable asyou.”

“From the current state of the nation, that is patently obvious. Now, gentlemen, we need to untie his lordship and lift him into the carriage. Can you manage thetask?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the soldiers chorused, clearly recognizing a Voice of Authority.

She nodded and climbed into the carriage. Soon William lay stretched out on the left side squab, his head cradled on her lap, and they were on theirway.

“My lord,” Jensen intoned. “May I say how good...how very, very good it is to haveyou—”

“Oh for heaven’s sake, Mr. Jensen, stop sniveling,” growled Mrs. Kingsley, the effect quite ruined when two tears splashed onto William’s cheek.

“All right,” he said, and even to his own ears his voice sounded rough. “Who are you and what have you done with General Kingsley?”

“You are exceedingly fortunate I’m not a general,” his housekeeper replied, dashing a hand across her eyes. “I’d be ordering a flogging for each day of worry you put me through with your foolishness.”

“And she’s back. Not to mention fightingfit.”

“Unlike you, my lord,” Jensen replied. “We need to fetch a physician to look at your wounds.”

“My arm will be fine. It has been tended to most admirably, I promise.”

His butler sniffed. “A military sawbones? Hardly. I’m speaking of a good, proper English doctor.”

Rolling his eyes, William sighed. If he didn’t appease Mother and Father Hen, he wouldn’t have a moment’s peace when he got home. “Very well, Jensen. I’m sure between you and Mrs. Kingsley the necessary arrangements will bemade.”

“Of course, your lordship,” said Mrs. Kingsley. “And then you’ll receive visitors? I’m sure his grace will want to see you as soon as possible. Not to mention Lady Samantha. I hear she has been fretting for you something terrible.”

His insides alternately burned and iced at the words, and his fists clenched. “No.”

“Beg pardon? I don’t understand,” she said, her brow furrowing. “I have it on best authority Lady Samantha confined herself to her rooms for days when the news of your shooting arrived. Poor lovie. So smitten she was, plain as the nose on myface.”

“I said no. I don’t want to see either ofthem.”

“But mylord—”

“Mrs. Kingsley,” he said, so coldly she actually recoiled against the window of the carriage. “I will not say the words again.”

His housekeeper pursed her lips, and they travelled in silence the rest of the way to Hastings House. As the carriage pulled up outside the front door, a wave of weariness overtook him. Suddenly nothing sounded better than collapsing in his ownbed.