Rory (12 page)

She nodded and slid her hand around his elbow. He was actually trembling now and she was afraid, or rather,
terrified
that he might have an infection and a fever.

They passed by a group in an open phaeton who had no doubt heard about the duel. Lord Cordland’s name was said loudly, and a man mentioned scandal.

How very cruel people could be.

Shannon was relieved when she saw Zachary and the carriage. Victor motioned him over, and soon they were entering the carriage. Rory fell onto the velvet seat.

“Damn it,” Victor said under his breath. “I should have never let him talk me into leaving the manor.”

Zachary glanced at Shannon and quickly looked away as he closed the door and took his position on the perch above.

He looked concerned, but she had no way of knowing whether he was worried about her growing relationship with Rory, or if he’d seen Clinton or the gray-haired man.

“Should we call for the physician?” Lillith asked, concern in her eyes.

“Yes,” Victor said, brushing a hand through his hair.

“No, I just need to rest,” Rory said, leaning his head back against the carriage wall.

How she yearned to comfort him, to hold his hand, but she wouldn’t in front of others.

It seemed an eternity before they pulled into the manor driveway. The carriage had barely rolled to a stop when Victor jumped down. “You are too weary. Let me carry you.”

Rory lifted his brows. “Over my dead body.”

Victor smiled for the first time since Rory had said he wasn’t feeling well. “I can oblige you.”

“Yes, I’m sure you could … and would. I am capable of walking.”

Shannon followed them up the stairs and hesitated in the foyer, not sure what she should do.

Rory looked at her, and Lillith whispered, “Come, he needs you.”

She nodded and rushed up the stairs after them. The west chamber that housed his new quarters was enormous, and light shone in from every window. She immediately closed the heavy blinds.

Victor helped Rory off with his shirt and told him to sit on the bed. Rory fell onto the mattress and barely moved as his brother set to removing his boots, stockings, and trousers.

Lillith had left the room the instant the shirt had come off, and Shannon made herself busy preparing the clean bandages.

“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Victor said, clearly exasperated.

“I didn’t realize I would be so tired,” Rory said.

“Your age is catching up with you.”

“You are one to talk.”

Shannon smiled at the banter and hoped that meant Rory was not too ill.

Edward brought in a bowl of warm water and some rags. “Can I get you anything else, my lord?”

“No, Edward,” Victor replied. “That will be all. Thank you.”

Shannon rolled up her sleeves, then went to the bed and peeled off the bandage.

Fluid had seeped out, and thankfully it was clear.

“It doesn’t look infected.”

“That’s a relief,” Victor said, leaning against the bedpost.

“He should have been in bed, and just did a little too much, too soon,” she said reassuringly. “I have seen far worse.”

Victor watched her closely. “See that he does not try to get up. He needs to rest; even if you must tie him to the bed.”

Rory didn’t open his eyes, but his lips curved.

“Quit hovering, Victor,” he said a second later, and Victor laughed under his breath.

“I can take a hint. I’m obviously not wanted.”

“Can you blame me?” Rory replied, glancing at Shannon.

“Not at all.” Victor lingered for a few more minutes until Rory’s irritated sighs sent him from the room.

“You are mean,” Shannon murmured. “He only cares about you.”

“He’s being paranoid.”

His muscled abdomen clenched beneath her fingers as he moved, and she marveled at the power in his over six-foot frame. He made her feel so impossibly female, and when his gaze settled on her, her stomach tightened.

He lifted his hand, his fingers toying with her nipple. The breath left her in a rush as the peak stabbed against her chemise and the bodice of her gown.

“Lock the door, Shannon.” His voice was husky, and it sent a shiver of awareness through her.

“You are ill.”

“No, I’m not. I’m merely tired … but not that tired.”

She scowled at him, but did as he asked. “Don’t be ridiculous. What if someone comes to check on you?”

“They won’t.”

“Your mother …”

“Victor promised me he would not rouse Mother from her nap.”

He had no way of knowing that. “I will lose my job if we are caught.”

“No, you won’t. I wouldn’t allow it.” He patted the bed beside him, and she joined him. “Plus, Lillith adores you.”

“You’re exhausted.” Her mind said no and yet her body said yes.

“I can sleep later.”

He eased his upper body off the bed, his muscles moving beneath olive skin as he leaned toward her. His hands were at her back a moment later, then the gown was sagging around her waist. How had he worked so quickly? she wondered, as he tugged at the ribbon that held her chemise together. He bent slightly and kissed a naked breast, then the other.

She looked down at him, watched with fascination as his mouth closed around a nipple. Liquid fire roared through her veins, and a familiar throbbing pulsed between her thighs.

She realized she wanted him there, buried deep within her core, and the pulsing only intensified as he sucked, his teeth grazing the sensitive peaks.

He pushed the gown past her waist, and his hand was sliding in the slit of her drawers, where he cupped her woman’s flesh. He slid one finger inside, followed by another. “You’re so wet, Shannon,” he said, sounding extremely pleased.

His cock tented his drawers, and she was amazed she could cause such a reaction without even touching him. He slid out of
his undergarment and she took his cock in hand, sliding her hand up and down the thick length, her insides tightening as she anticipated what was to come.

He eased her on top of him, and cupping her bottom, he guided her onto his shaft. She licked her lips as his fingers wrapped around her hips and showed her the rhythm he liked.

She let her instincts take over and rode him, gripping his chest. Her body tightened with each stroke, her tiny pearl brushing against him, sending a shiver up her spine.

He cupped her breasts, his breath hot on a nipple before he laved it with his tongue, drawing it deep into his mouth.

She climaxed, her dew coating his cock.

With a moan, he flipped her, his strokes long and steady, the headboard hitting the wall with force.

Rory grit his teeth as he slid into her hot flesh.

When would he get enough of her? She was so beautiful, and he wanted to teach her everything about making love.

Her hands roved down his body, cupping his ass, her fingers pressing against him, coaxing him into a deeper stroke.

He slid one leg over his shoulder and she was reminded of when he’d taken Candice in a similar fashion. She could feel him so completely this way, the crown of his cock touching her womb.

His blue eyes were intense as he watched her reach for orgasm. She felt deliciously wicked as she glanced down at where their bodies were joined, his long shaft sliding in and out of her.

He waited until she came again. His fingertips pressed into her thigh as he pumped a few more times and came with a pleased groan.

S
hannon knew she should get up. At any given moment, someone could open the chamber door and she would, in all likelihood, lose her position.

But she savored being in Rory’s arms, of feeling the pounding of his heart against her chest, the touch of his fingers brushing along the length of her spine, the sensation of their naked bodies pressed together.

He made her forget completely about reason and made her forget that she must tell her brother about Clinton.

“Tell me about your life before coming to work for Lillith.”

Her pulse skittered. She didn’t want to lie to him, and yet, she couldn’t break her promise to her brother to not tell anyone about their past.

“There isn’t much to tell.” She brushed a hand over his chiseled abdomen. The muscles clenched beneath her fingers, and tendrils of warmth worked through her belly.

Even after their fevered coupling, she still wanted him.

“I know you worked at Lady Dante’s dress shop before
coming to work for Lady Graston. What other jobs have you held?”

“Same as what I do here.”

“Was it a smaller household?”

She thought of her own household in Ireland. “Yes, but not by much.”

“Have you and your brother always been close?”

“Yes.”

“What will you do if one of you is to marry?”

Shannon glanced up at him. “We won’t worry about that until the time comes.”

One day it would be wonderful to reclaim what they had lost, but anymore she had so little faith that it would actually happen. She just wanted to live for the moment.

Not wanting to answer any more of his questions, she slid out of bed and slipped back into her drawers, chemise, and gown.

Rory leaned up on an elbow. “Where are you going?”

“You must rest, and you won’t while I’m here.”

“I don’t want to rest. I want you to come back to bed.”

He had no idea how tempted she was to do just that. “I can’t. I’ll lose my job.” She knew she kept repeating herself, but it was a very real concern.

“No, you won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“My brother would never allow it. He cares too much about my happiness.”

His happiness? Her eyes widened at that. Was he happy because of her? How long would he feel that way? she wondered.

“Plus, Lily adores you.”

And she adored Lily. “I have to go, but I’ll come back after dinner.”

He reached out for her and squeezed her hand. “Give me a kiss.”

She leaned down, and he pulled her on top of him. She kissed the curve of his ear and he let out a wonderful groan. “You little vixen.”

“I have to go.”

He sighed heavily. “Will you come to me tonight?”

“If I can.”

“Please come.”

As she slid off him and walked toward the door, she knew that she could never deny him.

Shannon woke to an insistent knock on her door. It was the middle of the night. She pulled on her wrap and answered the door. It was Edward.

“Lord Ambrose is very ill. The surgeon is on his way, and Lady Graston has asked for you to assist him when he arrives.”

Her pulse skittered. “He did not seem unwell earlier. He slept all day, but I did not think–”

“His brother checked in on him and found him burning with fever.”

She had gone to his room, but Rory had been sleeping so peacefully she hadn’t awoken him. She’d touched his forehead, and finding it damp with perspiration, she opened the window a fraction to allow a cool breeze into the room. Hopefully she had not made matters worse.

“I shall get dressed and come to his chamber,” she said, and he nodded.

Shannon hurried and dressed, then rushed toward Rory’s chamber, her mind racing.

She entered Rory’s quarters. Lord Graston stood beside his brother, and Lady Graston and Lady Rochester sat in nearby
chairs. Lily smiled softly at Shannon, and as Shannon approached she was stunned at Rory’s pallor.

“I shall check and see if the physician has come,” Lord Graston said, walking out of the chamber, his wife’s eyes following him.

Shannon reached out and touched Rory’s forehead. He was burning up. “I left him four hours ago and he seemed fine.”

“It is not your fault,” Lady Rochester murmured. “He has been doing far too much for his own good. I fear we must be careful from here on out and not allow him to do anything but care for his shoulder. I swear I shall have him tied to the bed if need be.”

The door flew open and Lord Graston and the physician walked in. Shannon stepped back, watching nervously as the man inspected the wound. “Have you been applying the ointment?” he asked her directly.

“Yes, sir,” Shannon replied.

He frowned. “The wound is looking a little red along the edges. Although it is draining, I fear there is some pus.”

Victor swore under his breath, and Lily put a hand on her husband’s shoulder.

“I will leave some laudanum for you to administer to him. Make sure he takes it, for it is imperative he stay down and not move. He is very ill.”

Shannon nodded and swallowed past the lump in her throat. She didn’t know what she would do if something happened to Rory. She would feel responsible.

The room fell silent as the physician worked on the wound. Rory said something, but no one could make it out. When the physician finished, he left new dressings, another jar of ointment, and the laudanum with instructions.

The physician followed Lady Rochester out the door, and

Shannon wiped a rag across Rory’s brow. “The sheets beneath him are wet. They should be changed.”

“I’ll get a fresh pair right away,” Edward said, surprising Shannon. She had not even realized he had returned.

“Damn it, why did I take him into London? What was I thinking?” Victor said, running his hands through his hair and lacing his hands together behind his neck. “I should have known better. I was just so excited that he was well.”