Page 81 of Love with a Notorious Rake

“I will have to leave at once. Fetch my horse, Nebula, from the stables, Samuel, and—”

Cristyn shook her head. “No, Aidan.”

A flash of annoyance tore through him. “I teasingly mentioned enjoying you order me around, but I’m drawing a line. My brother needs me; nothing else matters.” Aidan was annoyed—he would be damned if he were pushed about. “You stated you abhor men making your decisions. Grant me the same courtesy.”

“You’re right,” she murmured. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean that you should not go, just not today. This note is dated three days past. Your brother’s wife has already had the baby—as a nurse, I can guarantee that. Rushing there while you are exhausted is not wise. Wollstonecraft Hall is—what? Well over a hundred miles away? Even riding full-bore you’ll need sleep, meals, a change in horses. Samuel, how long did it take for Jacob to arrive here?”

“Two and a half days, miss. He is in my room, sleeping. He’s done in.”

Aidan cast Samuel a furious look, but the man didn’t wither under his gaze. “Miss Bevan is right, sir. Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but why not use the carriage and leave in the morn? Jacob will be recovered from his fatigue by then, and so will you. I will remain here, act on your behalf until you’re able to return.”

There was merit in what Samuel and Cristyn said. He doubted he could even keep upright in the saddle. It would be reckless, and he was bloody well done with irresponsible behavior. “Does Jacob know anything of my sister-in-law’s condition?”

“I thought you might ask, so I quizzed him before he took to bed. All he was told was that she was in labor. Sorry there’s not more to tell, sir.”

“I will leave in the morning, then. Ensure all is prepared. Nebula will return with me. The horse Jacob came on? It will stay here for your use. And yes, Samuel, you will be acting in my stead. After I rest, I will come to you with instructions. For now, I need you to accompany Dr. Middlemiss to where the bodies are being kept. He must examine them with all haste.” He turned to Cristyn, softening his expression. “Will you stay here until Middlemiss returns?”

“Of course, if you will go at once to your room. I’ll join you there later.” She gave him a shy, but seductive smile. He kissed her forehead.

After speaking to Middlemiss, and to Delaney, stating their account would be settled soon, he stepped toward Lottie’s bed and kissed her cheek, remembering her words: “My prince, you saved me.”

He was Lottie’s prince, Cristyn and Carter’s hero.

Perhaps his life was not a total waste after all.

Chapter 23

It was close to seven in the evening before Cristyn was able to make her way to the inn. Hopefully, Aidan had been sleeping the past few hours. How she wished Cyn was nearby to discuss all that had happened—especially the intimacy with Aidan. She had confessed in her last letter that she was in love with him, and had told him. Cyn had been nothing but supportive in her reply, revealing that she, too, had boldly spoken her true feelings for Davidson. It had all led to a happy ending.

But Aidan was not a vicar, a man who lived a moral life. No, he was much more complicated, which in turn made this entire situation a thorny and difficult journey. But as she had concluded previously, to her, Aidan was worth it.

Especially since she’d witnessed his tender and heartfelt conversation with Lottie. Her heart had swelled when Lottie called him her prince. How apt. Offering to take the children in had more than proved his innate goodness and honor.

When she stopped at the front desk of the inn, a woman looked up from her ledger and gave her a polite smile. “May I help you, miss?”

“I’m Nurse Bevan, assistant to Dr. Middlemiss, here to see Mr. Black. What room is he in?” Such duplicity, but one must at least try to keep up appearances.

The innkeeper’s wife gave her a surprised look. Yes, she was a young woman about to go into a man’s room alone. But this was a professional call—at least on the surface.

“Room fifteen, Miss Bevan, top floor. Is he well?” The woman leaned in closer. “Is the tattle accurate? Mr. Black dashed into a burning building to save the master’s wife and child?”

“Yes, that’s correct. It is why I’m here, to ensure there are no complications. Would it be too much trouble to have a pot of tea and sandwiches delivered to his room? Unless he has already eaten?”

“No, he hasn’t. I’ll see to it personally, miss. I must say, I’ll be sorry to see him leave. Polite to a fault. A true gentleman. And generous.”

“Yes, he is that.”

Climbing the stairs, she thought about the note from his brother and the word “curse.” She had decided against bringing up the subject in front of Samuel, but it was one of the many subjects they must tackle.

She knocked, and the door opened to reveal Aidan looking tousled and darkly appealing, as if he had woken from a nap. Giving him a brief smile, she entered.

Removing her shawl, she glanced at the quilt hanging off the edge of the bed. “You’ve slept?”

“I ordered a bath first. Hopefully the odor of smoke no longer lingers.” In two strides, he gathered her into his arms. “How do I smell?” He smiled teasingly.

She gazed up at him. “Clean, with a faint whiff of bergamot.” As hard as it was to leave his warm embrace, she placed her hands against Aidan’s chest and stepped back. “I ordered sandwiches and tea. They should be here directly. How do you feel? Does the headache persist?”

“I must bow to your medical wisdom. You were correct; I would not have been able to travel by horseback today. Yes, my head still hurts. I also feel slightly nauseous. Not sure I will be able to eat.”