Rory (6 page)

S
hannon tried without success to keep from thinking of what might be happening in the guest chamber between her patient and his visitor. And she was not the only one. She heard two of the housekeepers speculating as well. They’d fallen silent when Shannon had come across them gossiping in the parlor.

Certainly Lord Ambrose would not make love to yet another woman on the same day, would he?

Given his reputation, she could hardly put anything past him.

And damn her body. It betrayed her every single time she thought of being pinned beneath his powerful frame. She still burned for him, wanted to feel those large hands on her, wanted to experience what it was all those other women had. Those lucky, lucky women.

She tried to clear her thoughts as she approached an attractive footman, who nodded in greeting. Not much older than herself, he had dark brown eyes framed by long lashes and curly chestnut hair. Whenever they served the evening meal together, she could feel his gaze on her. “How are ye today, Shannon?” he asked in a thick Scottish accent.

“Very well, Johnny, and you?”

“Better now, thank ye, lass,” he said with a wink, and Shannon immediately dropped her gaze.

“Can I get that for ye?” He motioned to the large bowl of water she carried.

“No, I have it. Thank you, though.” She shifted on her feet, feeling increasingly awkward. “Well, I should get back to work.”

“I’ll see ye later.”

“Yes, I’ll see you later.” She continued walking, needing a breath of fresh air, anything to get out of the house and clear her head from thoughts of the sinfully handsome lord who seemed to invade even her dreams of late.

The door was already ajar, and she pushed it open with a nudge. She threw the water out onto the grass and noticed a man standing near the hedge, looking at her.

Her breath caught in her throat. Was he watching the house? Of average height, he had a stocky build. He was also middle-aged and had gray hair and a thick mustache. Oh dear God, was this the same man whom Zachary had seen?

It had to be.

Dressed in a heavy black coat and a top hat, he took a step closer to the hedge, then turned and disappeared into the thicket of trees.

With her heart racing, she darted back inside the manor, rushed down the hallway, and into the parlor that was lined with windows. Crossing the room, she went to the last window, slid the drape aside, and glanced out.

She scanned the trees, her heart leaping nearly from her chest when she caught sight of him rushing toward the main road.

She had to talk to Zachary.

Forcing herself not to run, she made her way to the stables
and found him brushing down a horse. There was another groom in an adjacent stall, so she had to be careful.

Zachary glanced up at her, his surprise evident. “Shannon, what are you doing?”

“I–” she stopped short, remembering their last conversation about leaving if they saw the man again.

The thought of running again made her ill at ease. She felt so secure with Lord and Lady Graston, and the very idea of looking for work in another town was downright depressing. “I wanted to tell you that Cook made bread pudding, and I thought perhaps you would like some.”

He seemed to visibly relax. “Cook would have my head if

I snuck bread pudding from her kitchen. You know that, Shannon.”

She did know that, and now she wished she had not rushed out to the stables. “Well, I should be returning before Edward discovers I am missing.”

Zachary tilted his head to the side, his eyes narrowing. “Is there something else that’s bothering you, Shannon?”

“No, I just wanted a break from the manor.”

He followed her outside.

“Well, I can certainly understand that, especially since you’ve been caring for his lordship’s brother.”

She hoped he could not see the desire she felt for Rory in her eyes. Flustered, she lifted her face to the sun and took a deep breath. “It feels so good to breathe the fresh air.”

“I imagine it does. I’m so grateful I get to work out-of-doors.”

She glanced at him, considering the repercussions of not saying anything to him about the strange man. “Well, I should return. I shall see you later.”

“All right.”

She walked away, knowing that if he ever discovered the
truth that she had seen the man they assumed was their cousin’s henchman, then he would be furious.

Entering the house, her thoughts were in turmoil. Perhaps she should go back to Zachary and tell him the truth?

“Shannon, there you are,” Edward said, looking at the empty bowl in her hands. “I wondered where you went off to when I served tea to Lord Ambrose and Lady Anna.”

“To get fresh water,” she said absently, heading off to do just that.

When she’d refilled the water bowl, she walked down the hallway, dreading to return to Rory and his guest.

She turned the corner and walked up the steps, and nearly ran straight into Lady Anna. The water spilled over the edge and onto Shannon’s gown, dousing the stomach area. Thank goodness for the apron, and thank goodness the water had not ended up on Lady Anna instead.

Lady Anna put her hand on Shannon’s shoulder. “You are such a lovely little thing, aren’t you?” Her dark eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze shifting to Shannon’s lips. “I could just eat you up.”

What an odd thing to say.

“Excuse me, my lady,” Shannon said, sidestepping Lady Anna, anxious to be away from her.

Before she knew it, she stood at Rory’s chamber door. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief.

He was asleep.

Clinton O’Connor paced the rough wood floor where he’d been staying for the past fortnight. For months now he’d hoped for a break in finding his cousins, and finally, with the help of Jacob, one of Dublin’s finest investigators, he had them cornered.

Zachary and Shannon were somewhere in London, or so the note had said. Jacob had lost the boy once, but this latest note had fueled his hopes, and he felt their luck had changed.

He had faith in Jacob. The older man was like a bloodhound. And even more, Jacob believed Clinton when he said his cousins were responsible for the fire. That belief was a welcome change. In Dublin, he had seen the looks in people’s eyes when he walked past. Suspicion. He was the only living heir to the O’Connor dynasty, and the family had been wiped out by a fire, and yet he had remained untouched. His excuse had been that he’d gone hunting, and he had an alibi in one of the O’Connor’s servants. A lad who owed him a veritable fortune in gambling debts.

That alibi had silenced a few, including the magistrate, but he still knew that many wondered about his involvement.

Glancing at the clock on the mantel, he cursed under his breath. Jacob was supposed to meet him over an hour ago. Had Shannon and Zachary managed to slip through his fingers yet again?

Damn them! If only they had perished in that fire, then he would not have to worry about them popping up down the road and ruining everything. As it was, he’d taken control of his uncle’s business. He had played the grieving nephew to perfection, even gaining a fiancée, Gwendolyn, the daughter of his uncle’s pompous solicitor. She was the prize of the season, and he’d been thrilled to win her hand. Unfortunately, the more time he’d spent with her, the more irksome he found her. And good Lord, the woman shopped like there was no tomorrow. He was terrified at what awaited him after the vows were exchanged.

He heard footsteps in the hallway and stopped pacing. Three light taps came on the door, and he rushed to open it. “Come in, Jacob.”

Jacob swept the hat from his head and entered. As always, he never turned his back to Clinton and stayed close to the door.

“What news?”

“I have located them, sir.”

Exhilaration rushed along Clinton’s spine. It was the news he’d been waiting for. “Did you see them?”

“Yes, the girl works in the house, and the boy works in the stables.”

It was the closest they had ever come, and he could scarcely believe that soon all his dreams were within reach. “Excellent work, Jacob. I am well pleased.” With his heart pumping nearly out of his chest, he walked toward the dresser and removed a roll of notes. “Here ye are as promised. I shall give ye the rest when I confirm that it is indeed them.”

Jacob flipped through the notes, obviously satisfied, he shoved them into his pocket.

“Neither one saw you, did they?” Clinton asked, and the other man shook his head.

“No, sir. They are at Lord and Lady Graston’s manor in Twickenham. The estate borders the River Thames. I should warn ye that it is difficult to get on the grounds, or near the grounds, without being noticed. The place is swarming with servants.”

“Have no fear. I shall find a way in.”

“Ye know where to find me if ye need me, sir,” Jacob said, hand already on the doorknob.

“Very well. Thank you for your hard work.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

Jacob left. Clinton shut the door behind him and smiled.

Shannon and Zachary would soon be dead, and there would be nothing standing in his way and the future he had always dreamed of.

H
e has been asking for you all day, my dear. Why do you not go to him?”

Shannon brushed a curl out of her face and glanced at the servant who had been so kind as to tend to Rory for her today.

When she didn’t respond, the older woman with a kind smile and gentle spirit patted Shannon on the back. “He seems quite taken with you, my dear. Perhaps you should go to him and set his mind at ease.”

“He needs his rest, and I think he enjoys making me squirm.”

Helda’s lips quirked. “If I were young, I could certainly understand why he would make a woman squirm, but alas, I have sons older than him.”

Shannon smiled for the first time all day. She had stayed with Rory last night and awoke before dawn in the chair beside the bed. In her dreams she had been kissing him, her hands moving over his strong body, the wide chest, the chiseled abdomen, and the long, thick length of his sex. She had awoken with her heart pounding and her blood on fire. Trying to catch
her breath, she’d looked over at her patient to find his hand shoved beneath the sheets, covering his impressive cock. Her mouth had gone dry, and she stood on unsteady legs, and headed straight for the door. She never looked back. How could she look at him without reliving that dream all over again?

“Just check in on him, my dear.”

“Would you mind serving him dinner?” she asked, and Helda frowned.

“He will be heartily disappointed when I walk in and it’s not you.”

Shannon glanced past Helda and her eyes widened. Rory was walking down the stairs, dressed in a handsome gray suit and snowy white shirt that only served to accent his dark, good looks. Polished knee-high black boots finished off the ensemble. He was strikingly handsome, and there wasn’t a woman alive who would deny him.

Not even her.

The old servant gave her a wink and then rushed off down the hall.

Had he heard any part of their discussion?

“Shannon,” he said tersely.

“You are leaving?” Shannon asked, surprised at how much distress the thought of him walking out the door made her feel.

He lifted a dark brow. “Where were you all day?”

“I had other duties to attend to, and I wanted you to rest.” Why was it she felt so guilty for steering clear of him?

Outside, she heard the carriage being brought around. “Do you think it is a good idea to leave? I mean–when you are not yet fully recovered? What if you have a fever?” She absolutely resisted the temptation to feel his forehead, even though she yearned to.

His brows furrowed and the side of his mouth curved in an
exasperated smile. “Shannon, you are sounding like my mother now.”

Sounding like his mother certainly was not her intention, and she felt her cheeks grow hot in embarrassment.Worse still,thoughts of her wicked dream came back to haunt her,and she dropped her gaze between them.“Forgive me,my lord….I was just concerned about your injury.”

“You need not remind me of my wound, Shannon. I feel it every time I draw breath.”

It hurt him to breathe and yet he was going out? What sense did that make? “And when will you be returning, my lord?”

Checking his appearance in the mirror above a side table, he said, “I cannot say for certain, only that I plan on returning. But do not wait up, or rather, have whomever you are pawning me off on wait up.”

“I did not pawn you off.”

“Shannon, you’ve avoided me all day, and now you cannot even meet my gaze. Apparently I said something to offend you.”

Now she just felt stupid and childish. She hated the thought of him walking out the door. He had brought a certain spark into her life that had been long missing.

When she said nothing, he shook his head. “I must go,” he said, walking in long strides toward the door.

She could only imagine him striding into a soiree and having every head turn. Would he still be leaving if she had stayed to take care of him? she wondered.

Fighting the jealousy that threatened to consume her, she forced a smile. “Have a lovely evening, my lord.”