Lord Atherton's Ward by Fenella Miller

mad?’
    The all-too-familiar rush of annoyance gave Sarah the courage to retort. ‘I had come, Lord Atherton, to thank you in person for saving my life. It has taken me more than an hour to ready myself for this excursion. I might have known I should be met with ill manners, after all I have received nothing else from you.’ She gripped the door frame to steady himself intending to storm, nose in the air, back to her own chambers.
    ‘No, I beg your pardon, it was not my intention to offend you. But you must see it won’t do for you to come in here. Stay where you are, I shall come outside in the passageway. I’m sure that isn’t against any rules of etiquette.’
    Sarah relaxed. Of course, he couldn’t risk being accused of compromising her, then he would have to make her an offer; that wouldn’t suit him at all. She pushed herself away from the wall and walked unsteadily to the window seat. Thankfully she collapsed on to it, she was feeling decidedly peculiar. Maybe if she rested she would feel more the thing in a moment.
    * * * *
    Perry heard the knock and braced himself for another unwanted interruption. He was going mad with boredom cooped up inside and had been practising getting about on his crutches so that as soon as he knew Sarah was downstairs he could go and see her. Being told by Dickon how wonderful the grounds were, how enchanting Jane was, did nothing for his temper.
    His jaw dropped when he saw who was standing there, her dear face marked by a hideous bruise and a zigzag of stitches across her brow. His shock at her appearance had made him snarl her at her when he ached to gather her close and tell her how much he loved her.
    Hastily explaining why she couldn’t enter he saw her smile of comprehension. She was so pale, he was certain she had lost weight. Now reasonably adept on his crutches he swung across the room, pausing at the exit. There was a window seat at the far end, she would have gone to sit on that.
    To his consternation he saw she had swooned, was lying stretched out with eyes closed and, if he was not very much mistaken her ankles bare. He ought to send for help, but something made him hesitate. He crossed the few yards to join her. Propping his crutches against the window frame he dropped to his knees. Taking her cold hands he chafed them within his own.
    ‘Sarah, sweetheart, wake up. You must go back to your chambers, you are not well enough to be wandering about the house on your own.’ Her eyes flickered open and her lips curved. His heart missed a beat.
    ‘Lord Atherton, how did you get here? I came to give you my thanks. If you and your friend had not arrived when you did, I would have perished.’ Her eyes closed once more. He saw it was an effort for her to push them up again. ‘I am so very tired; I hadn’t realised it would be so exhausting coming to see you.’
    Her hand was still resting trustingly in his as she fell asleep. He checked her pulse, it was even and her cheeks warm. It was merely overexertion, not illness. He cursed the fact that his feet were not strong enough for him to carry her back to her room. He would have to summon help. But first there was something he could not resist doing. Using his arms for support, he bent forward and gently brushed his lips across her mouth. Her lips tasted sweet, he inhaled deeply, loving her unique perfume that was his beloved.
    Reluctantly he reached for his crutches and returned rapidly to his chamber. It wouldn’t do for him to be found at her side. He reached the bell strap tugging it violently. To his astonishment it detached itself from the ceiling and he was covered with plaster and dust.
    Coughing and choking, he hopped back to stand in doorway, brushing his shirt down ineffectually.
    * * * *
    Sarah knew he was watching her. It had taken all her resolve to remain still whilst he kissed her lips. She didn’t know why he had done so, but wasn’t sorry that he had. She risked a peep from behind her long lashes. He