The Delicate Matter of Lady Blayne by Natasha Blackthorne Page B

that?”
    “Opiates to calm her. A basic diet without too many spices or herbs that might prove too stimulating to her natural desires. But much of it involves her being answerable to me for her behavior. And she must be watched. Her former maids had a fond attachment to her, and they were too sympathetic and thus too lenient with her. Not watchful enough. I have employed Mrs. Tibbs. She has instructed the new maids on how to better observe Catri…Lady Blayne for the…uh, the signs.”
    “What signs?”
    “Signs of inappropriate behavior.”
    “So, she has been drugged, imprisoned in Blayne House, and is being watched at every moment—in short, she has been robbed of every possible dignity left to her. And I have been paying for this service .” He ground the words out, feeling a heaviness weighing on his chest.
    Guilt.
    He should not have delayed coming home to Blayne House. He ought to have come to Edinburgh directly upon landing on British soil again. But he had stayed in London, keeping occupied with business, enjoying all the pleasures available to him as a titled gentleman in his prime with money to spend. Wasting time, attending fox hunts and the races. Escorting certain ladies to the opera and exhausting himself between fine, white English thighs whilst Sunny, a woman under his protection, had needed him.
    Maybe he hadn’t returned because he knew, deep inside, that he’d never fallen out of love with her? After he’d lost Sunny to Freddy, he’d spent a long time disciplining his mind to remain disconnected from his emotions. Had he not wanted to test that discipline?
    He scowled. Did it matter why he had delayed? The point was that he had trusted Aunt Frances’ judgment. He had thought Sunny was just exhibiting the reclusive ways that she had proved herself so capable of during her marriage to Freddy Blayne.
    The doctor watched him calmly. The man’s calmness shattered the last of James’ tolerance. How could Meeker just sit there and explain how he had stripped every last scrap of Sunny’s dignity and autonomy in the name of “helping” her?
    James stood.
    Dr. Meeker stood. He took a few steps forward and opened his mouth to speak, but James threw a forestalling hand between them. “I have heard enough.”
    The doctor fixed him with an intent look. “Those scratches.”
    He reached out with his gnarled fingers toward James’ face.
    James jerked his head back.
    The doctor’s gaze sharpened. “She came to you, didn’t she?”
    James said nothing.
    “She is a highly persuasive young woman. Dangerously seductive. Such women are sirens. She is not to blame, of course; she cannot help her sickness of mind and spirit. But it would be a mistake, my lord, for you to allow her any sway over your mind.” The doctor raised his brows. “Or your emotions. Especially your emotions.”
    “Careful, doctor, in what you say about Lady Blayne. In fact, from this moment on, I revoke your liberty to speak of her any further—I forbid you to go near her again. Your services are no longer required.”

Chapter Six
     
    Sunny awoke with a start. The feel of her skin brushing the linen sheet gave her another start. She glanced up at the unfamiliar dark green velvet bed curtains that were drawn back to let the early morning light spill across the bed.
    Yes, she was in James Blayne’s bed. Naked.
    Alone.
    Shame burned into her. No, it was deeper than shame. Utter humiliation.
    He had rejected her advances. Resisted her seduction.
    Oh, she had to get back to her own bedchamber. Now.
    With a soft cry, she jolted into a sitting position.
    Blue eyes met hers. Blue eyes that immediately lowered to her breasts.
    She grasped the coverlet and jerked it to her collarbone.
    James’ attention returned to her face and he stared at her intently.
    Not just intently, determinedly. As though by the power of his stare, he could impel her to do his will.
    She remembered that about him and how it had frightened her as a younger