Her Reluctant Viscount (Rakes and Rogues) (44 page)

“I have not seen her since she left to go check on Miss Field earlier.”

“The staff has been treating her okay? Has she needed anything?”

“They barely know she is here. Jo stays up here unless she goes to see Clara.”

“And at night?”

Berry dropped his gaze. “She slept right there, beside you.”

That explained why he smelled her and why the scent Arabella wore seemed so out of place. He smiled.

“Did she?”

Berry nodded. “She is an amazing woman. Stayed even while I worked on you. Stood up to Jack and…” He trailed off. “It is an honor to know a woman like her.”

Trystan agreed. “She is something else, is she not?”

“You are healing well. Expect some soreness for a while but I believe you should be fine.”

He looked down at the new scars on his body. “I think I am getting too old for this kind of work, Berry.”

The man did not say a word, just put clean dressing on him, helped him to the chamber pot, and back to bed. After a while, Berry spoke. “I took the liberty of sending a note to Colin to let him know.”

“Thank you, Berry.”

“Anytime. But, I would prefer you not give us a scare like this again.”

“I will do what I can.”

“Would you like me to tell Her Grace you are sleeping?”

“Yes.”

“Very good.”

Trystan was soon alone and he turned his head to the middle of the bed. One pillow held a faint scent of Jo and he buried his nose in it, willing sleep to come. He waited for Jo to show all day. She never returned, to his chagrin. Arabella, however, hung cloyingly near.

She sneered at his servants and complained. Unfortunately, he did not have the energy to deal with her past telling her to leave his staff alone, they were doing an excellent job. That night, he drifted off to sleep, an uneasy one, for he knew it was true, Jo had been with him. He felt the loss and woke often wishing her warm body was next to his, offering comfort.

The next day, he was up walking slow in his study when the door opened without a precursory knock to admit none other than Colin Faulkner.

The friends embraced and Colin stared at him.

“How are you?”

“Recovering. You? Najja?”

“Wishes she could be here. She is close to having her child and carriage travel makes her sick. I had to get Pug to keep an eye on her for she would have come anyway.”

“Why are you here?”

“You are my friend. Where else would I be?”

“With your wife.”

Colin glared at him, poured them each a drink, and sat down, gesturing him to do the same. Tryst did and lifted the glass nodding at his friend before they both drank.

“Thank you for keeping her alive.”

“You know I would give my life for her, Colin.”

“I know I was worried when you first laid eyes upon her and said you wanted her.”

“Still do.”

“I am beginning to see that.” He frowned. “However, I see Arabella here. She told me she was beside you every day.”

“She came yesterday. Berry said it was Jo who never left my side.”

“Where is she?”

“I do not know. They told me she goes to check on Clara daily—Clara got poisoned—but last night she never came back.”

“I will go to her house next. Is there anything I can get you, do for you?”

“No, my friend. I am healing.”

“I will not be an obstacle if you are serious about Jo, Tryst. But I mean it when I say I will still kill you if you hurt her.”

Trystan nodded. “I know. All of you warned me from her. I think the most potent came from Pug. He told me I was not good enough for her. I know he is infatuated with her yet he was right. For the longest time all I did was what I wanted. A woman, a bet, it did not matter. It was all about the chase, the fun.”

Colin drained his drink. “And now?”

“I must be pathetic. Jo is all I think about. What I want. I want her happy, smiling. At me. I have to learn to be good enough for her.” He shrugged. Would that day ever come? He had not a clue.

“Sounds like a man in love to me.”

“Really? You do not think I am…”

“You would do anything to make her happy. When she smiles at you, your world is complete. When she is sad, you wish to do whatever to change that. She is not looked on as ‘that woman’ to spend time with, sleep with, or such. She is the reason your heart beats, the reason you get up in the morning.”

Trystan nodded. “Yes.”

“You are in love. It happens.”

Maybe to some, but he had not thought it would have to him. Colin laughed and leaned back in his chair.

“You have that look like you never expected to realize what it was you felt for her.”

“I am not sure what to think.”

“At least now my wife will not be coming after you after she gives birth.”

Colin crossed his ankles. He bore an easy smile on his lips and Trystan become conscious just how much his friend had changed. Sometimes it was much easier to see love on someone else than within one’s own person.

“I asked her to marry me.”

Colin lifted a dark brow before shifting on the seat. “Did I miss the banns being posted?”

“No. Jo refused me. Again.”

“Refused you again.”

“Yes, we know you recall I have not been successful in getting a yes from her. She was very polite about it just said she would not marry someone who was a good match.” The look on his best friend’s face had him scowling. “This is not humorous, Colin.”

“Oh no, of course not.” He cleared his throat. “Not even a little bit.” There was no disguising the mirth in his gaze, however.

Right, like he believed that. The next words out of his mouth only set Colin to laughing long and hard.

They spent the afternoon catching up and he rested in the library after his friend left. He still felt a bit weak but he did not intend to let it keep him abed forever. Pushing to his feet, he left the room only to find Arabella looking for him.

She slid a hand up his arm and tried to move close, he backed away. “I think you should leave.”

Her painted lips pursed to a pout. One he had no wish to see.

“Trystan,” she cooed. “Let me continue to take care of you.”

“I do believe one has to actually do the initial caring for to claim ‘continuing’ to care for someone.” He arched a brow. “Since you only arrived yesterday, you cannot continue to do so for me.”

“I know, but I was so worried the moment I heard about it. I could only gain entry into your house yesterday otherwise I would have been right by your side.”

“What is it you want, Arabella?”

“You, Trystan. We were wonderful together.” She batted her lids at him. “I know you said it was over but reconsider. Let me make you happy.”

Lord, he detested begging. Well, unless it was a breathless kind of beg coming from Jo, asking him to enter her. Or go harder, deeper, even faster. Yes, that kind of begging he had no problem with. His cock stiffened at the memory of Jo’s tight slit around him. Her face flushed with passion as she made love to him.

He shook off the thought and stared at the woman before him. “I do not wish to continue. What I said that day, I meant. We are finished.” Anger sparked in her gaze and he shook his head. “Do not make a scene, Arabella. Let it end.” He walked off telling the butler, “Her Grace was just leaving.”

“Very good, my lord.”

He had them make him some dinner then sent for his carriage. Sitting in it, he rapped his cane against the roof and they set off to the destination he had given. He walked up to the front door and knocked.

“Good evening, my lord.”

“Is Miss Adrys in?” Trystan did not have to hand a card, the members of this household knew him well enough.

“No, my lord.” The man did not hesitate.

“I do not suppose you know where she went?”

“Miss Adrys does not see fit to tell me.”

Of course she did not. “Good night.”

“Good night, my lord.” The door closed gently in his face.

Disappointed he made his way back to his carriage. His next stop was to Royce’s.

“Glad you made it through, my lord.” Royce offered him a seat.

“How is Clara?”

“She is fine. A bit shaken but recovering nicely.”

“I am so glad and I am so sorry she got injured in the first place.”

“War comes home sometimes.” He shifted his weight. “Did you hear The Alchemist killed herself in the gaol?”

“How?”

“Hanged.”

He should feel elated yet he did not. “Are they sure she is dead?”

“That is what Jo said. They are.”

“Jo knows?”

“It happened before you…recovered. I know Jack wants to see you.”

Not a visit Trystan wanted to take. “I know. I am on my way to see him.”

Royce gestured with his chin to his injury. “You sure you should be out so much?”

“I have been abed nearly a fortnight. I think it is time to move around.”

“Stubborn.”

“Always.” He rose. “Thank you, Royce. For everything. If ever I can repay you.”

“Just come to the wedding and we will be fine.”

He grinned. “I cannot wait.”

The men shook hands and Trystan took his leave. He waited a few moments in the carriage before knocking. Exhaustion had set in. He did not like being this weak. His fingers flexed around the head of his cane and he took several deep breaths before giving the command to go.

Jack must have known somehow he was coming for the man waited outside the door. No words were spoken as Tryst slowly walked to meet him. Jack stared at him before gesturing him inside. Leading him, Trystan did not move down the hall like he normally would, instead he stepped to the side, pivoted, and waited.

“How are you?”

“Seen better days.”

“Berry did a good job.”

He was not the only one, but Jo was not who Trystan should be focused on right now. “We need to talk I am assuming.”

“We certainly do.”

When Jack walked down the hall, Tryst followed, returning the nods he received by the man’s staff. They did not go to his office, which shocked him. Instead, Jack turned into a different room. One which was more welcoming, a large fire burned in the hearth, offering more light than the lamps alone offered.

He sat after scouting the room. Jack held up a decanter in offering. Trystan shook his head. “What did you need to see me about, Jack?”

Chapter Eighteen

I spent a lovely afternoon with the Dowager Duchess of Haversham. She is, despite her reputation as an evil and spiteful woman, a lot of fun. I look forward to taking tea with her at a future date.

~From the private journal of Josephine Adrys

“More flowers arrived for you, miss.” The maid made her announcement as she brought them in the room. She could hardly see over the top of the arrangement.

Jo met Clara’s gaze—her amused gaze—before scanning the floral display one more time. They were beautiful, no argument.

“Thank you, Sara. Set them wherever and go bring a footman to help you move them. Perhaps in the parlor would be a good place for them.”