Page 7 of Better Not Bet a Bluestocking (Ladies of Opportunity #3)

Rose Bedchamber

Fernleigh House

Four days later—early morning

Her limbs oddly heavy, Georgine slowly opened her eyes.

Where am I ?

For a second, she didn’t recognize the bedchamber, and alarm pelted through her. A moment later, last night’s events tumbled into her memory. She remembered falling asleep while Robyn read to her, but she could not recall a dashed thing after that.

Had she slept through the night then?

The first time since she had been shot, although from the house’s hushed stillness, she would guess dawn had not yet arrived.

Doctor Tinsdale’s insistence that she take a dose of laudanum seemed to have worked. She hadn’t even roused when her bandages and poultices required changing.

Perhaps she had turned a corner for the better.

She felt almost her old self again—though her hunger raged unchecked.

At that precise instant, her stomach growled so fiercely it seemed as if her belly button were gnawing at her spine. She instinctively flattened her palm on her belly. Hopefully , the doctor would permit her something heartier than bone broth, milk toast, and gruel now.

“ You are awake. Thank God .”

Relief , edged with desperation, coarsened his voice to a gravelly rasp.

Robyn ?

Slowly , fearing any sudden movement would cause agony to her wound, Georgine turned her head.

Elbows resting on his knees, he sat in the same chair he had last night. However , the man looked, in a word, wretched. Dark stubble roughened his jaw, while purplish shadows and lines of fatigue framed his eyes.

He truly looked fit for Bedlam .

Guilt for causing him another sleepless night assailed her.

Perhaps he was desperate to use the necessary and had been afraid to leave her, given the doctor’s orders.

For heaven’s sake. Why hadn’t he rung for a servant if nature demanded immediate attention?

After glancing at the heavy, drawn draperies and assuring herself that no light filtered inside at the edges, Georgine puckered her forehead.

“ It’s not even dawn, Robyn .”

A raspy chuckle escaped him, and he plowed a hand through his dark blond hair, something he had done often, given the strands stuck out in all directions.

He had removed his neckcloth and waistcoat, rolled his shirtsleeves, and unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt, revealing an enticing glimpse of curly, dark blond hair.

She took his measure again. “ Are you quite well?”

This was the first time she could recall seeing him disheveled and unkempt. Not that Robyn could be called a dandy by any means, but he did present himself as a gentleman, and the rumpled man beside her would be hard-pressed to pass as such.

What could only be described as a tender smile arched his full mouth, and his eyes glinted with amusement. Already handsome, when he smiled, he nearly blinded her. Not that he would ever know that silly fact.

Sensible misses—and Georgine was above all else sensible—did not act like ninnyhammers when men, particularly ruggedly handsome men, bestowed smiles upon them.

Their eyes locked, and for the life of her, Georgine could not tear her gaze away from Robyn’s . A scintillating current buzzed between them, tangible and powerful, mesmerizing, and slightly disturbing too.

At last, he nodded, breaking the enthralling connection.

“ I am now.” Grinning , he rasped his hand over his bristly face. “ You have been insensate and caused me—uh, I mean us —grave concern. I have been afraid to blink, let alone close my eyes for a spell. You miss,” he shook a finger at her, “have caused a great deal of turmoil.”

Perhaps too much laudanum had been administered to her.

That would explain her leaden limbs and moss-coated tongue.

Still , he needn’t act so put upon.

“ Really , Robyn .” She glared at him, her dislike of being an imposition and unkempt herself, fueling her indignation. “ I should think you would be pleased that I slept the night through.”

He sat up straighter.

“ You misunderstand, Georgie .”

He never calls me Georgie .

“ You did not just sleep through one night, but four nights.”

“ Four ?” she whispered, glancing around the chamber.

It too, appeared rather a mess.

“ Your fever rose dangerously, and you fell into a delirium and could not be roused.” His tone carried a peculiar thickness, as if he could barely get the words past his tight throat.

What about Regina ?

She jerked her attention back to him and spoke in a rush. “ My sister. She must be frantic. Where is she? I want to see her.”

He shook his head before speaking in a soothing tone, as one would to an overwrought child.

“ Calm down, Georgine . She’s still at home.

” He leaned forward and turned the lamp up, casting a golden glow upon the coverlet.

“ She sent word the day she was to arrive that she had contracted a head cold, and Doctor Tinsdale gave specific instructions that she should remain at home until she completely recovered.”

“ That makes sense,” Georgine murmured, unable to dismiss the logic.

“ He says your body does not need to battle anything else at present.” He winked, and her stomach plopped over. And not from hunger. “ I’ll send a footman this morning with a note telling her you miss her.”

He paused, giving her a cautious glance, as if he wasn’t certain whether to continue. “ Although she’ll have to wait for the doctor’s approval to come to Fernleigh House . Per your request, we have kept your battle with fever and infection from her.”

Georgine gave a small nod. “ I appreciate it.”

Nevertheless , she could not quell a pang of disappointment.

She missed her sister, and truth be told, left to her own devices, Regina was wont to blunder into mischief or mishaps.

It chafed that Claire should be put upon for so long, too.

On the other hand, Georgine doubted she had the strength to supervise her young sister, and it galled her to further impose upon the Fitzlloyds .

The question that had been knocking about in her mind since she awoke could not be contained. “ Why are you here and not Matilda or a maid?”

He leaned back in the chair, as nonchalant and at ease as a panther lounging on a tree limb.

“ What , you are not thrilled by my attentiveness? My diligence and sacrifice?” He circled his hand in the air. “ La , I believe I’m quite wounded.”

The wily man deflected, but before Georgine could say as much, her stomach chose that moment to growl so loudly, Robyn’s eyebrows shot ceilingward.

“ Impressive .” He contained a grin—barely—but couldn’t quash the humor sparking in his nut-brown eyes. “ A veritable lioness.”

“ I beg your pardon.” A mortified blush heated her cheeks.

Lioness indeed.

At the moment, she felt distinctly more slothful.

“ Let’s see about getting you something to eat, shall we?” He rose and stretched, and despite her feeling as limp as yesterday’s posies, Georgine could not help but admire his muscled physique.

“ Thin gruel? Weak broth? Barely water?” She scrunched her nose, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in her shoulder.

Yes , she sounded ungrateful, and after fasting for four days, her stomach probably could handle nothing more substantial, but how she wanted to chew.

“ I would prefer something more palatable. A nice pudding or custard?”

“ Not unless the doctor approves.” The compassionate upward sweep of his mouth made her tummy flutter.

What in the world had come over her?

Hunger .

That was what.

She was famished. Lightheaded . Not able to think clearly.

Nothing else.

“ How would you like a bath and your hair washed? You cannot get into a tub, of course, but I’m sure something can be arranged.” He glanced at the wrinkled linens. “ Fresh linens, too, I think.”

The idea pleased Georgine so much, she couldn’t contain her pleased smile or summon a jot of offense at the implication she might not be as fresh as one could desire. She would endure the pain and humiliation to be clean. “ That sounds heavenly.”

“ Excellent .” Robyn gave another brief nod as he turned toward the bellpull. After tugging on the cord, he added a couple of pieces of wood to the fire.

“ I’m sure you shall want the chamber warm for your ablutions,” he said by way of an explanation.

Georgine considered him from beneath her lashes.

Why had he stayed with her and not Matilda or a maid, which would have been more appropriate? He’d neatly avoided answering the question, and she was fairly certain that if she pressed him, he would do so again.

Why ?

“ Now that your fever has broken, I’ll wager you’ll be up and about in no time.” He leaned a broad shoulder against the fireplace mantel. “ Speaking of wagers, what is this ladies’ gambling enterprise that you and your friends are involved with?”

Georgine’s heart skipped a beat before accelerating.

How did he know about the Ladies of Opportunity ?

Surely Matilda hadn’t told her brother.

When Aubriella had invited Matilda to join their small troupe, she had emphasized secrecy and tact.

As the Ladies of Opportunity became increasingly known and more ladies took part in the discreet wagering, it only made sense that word would spread about the clandestine organization.

Still , that Robyn would boldly ask about it unnerved Georgine .

Georgine must speak with her friends about this as soon as possible. Until then, she must deflect without outright lying. She abhorred liars.

Canting her head, she shook a finger at him and affected a playful mien.

“ That is not something I can discuss with you.” She painted a pained expression upon her features—not a great stretch given the fierce ache in her shoulder—and affected fatigue and frailty. Again , easy to do. “ Particularly given I’ve only just roused from a four-day stupor.”

She let that point hit home.

At once, chagrin flashed across the sculpted planes of Robyn’s face, although a hint of something steely lingered in his eyes, as if he’d guessed her game but let her win this round. “ Of course. Please forgive my lack of sensitivity.”

A moment later, a brief rap echoed upon the bedchamber door.

“ Come .” Straightening , Robyn angled toward the entrance.

A sleepy maid slipped in, probably having just risen herself. Uncertainty and worry creased her plump face until she noticed Georgine . At once, a relieved smile swept her wide mouth upward. “’ Tis good to see you awake, miss.”

“ Thank you.” What else was Georgine supposed to say?

“ I’m utterly spent and scarcely fit for polite company,” or “ I’m so fatigued, I might as well be pressed into the carpet ?”

The maid turned her attention to her employer.

“ You rang, Mr . Fitzlloyd ?”

“ Yes , Nelly .” Robyn rubbed his nose.

He appeared fit to swoon from sheer fatigue.

“ Miss Thackerly is hungry. Cook knows what she can eat. Please bring a tray. She also wishes to bathe, wash her hair, and have the bed linens changed. Do you think those can be accommodated?”

“ Of course, sir.” Nelly gave an eager nod. “ I shall make the arrangements.”

“ Also , please see if my sister has risen.” Robyn covered a yawn with his hand.

The poor man appeared utterly spent.

“ I need a bath myself, and I know Matilda wanted to know when Miss Thackerly awoke.”

“ I’ll see to it at once, sir.” With a little bob, Nelly practically dashed from the bedchamber.

Georgine tipped her mouth into a wry half-smile. “ I’ll bet she’s sprinting down the corridor, skirts raised to her knees, to alert the house to my present state.”

Not particularly keen on being the center of attention, Georgine found her current situation disconcerting for multiple reasons, one of which was the Ladies of Opportunity . She counted on the funds from the wagers to help sustain her income.

Had her friends held meetings without her?

Had wagers been accepted?

Of course, they had.

And then there was Robyn’s knowledge of their covert society.

Did he know Matilda had recently joined the Ladies of Opportunity as a board member?

Likely not.

Robyn would not approve.

As soon as Doctor Tinsdale agreed she could have visitors, Georgine would request that Aubriella , Roxina , and Claire call. Surely , they had wagering details to share with her.

She quite enjoyed the various clever wagers, and it never failed to amuse her how silly some were, although ladies seemed less inclined to bet which fly could walk up a pane of glass the fastest or the number of cats crossing St . James Street in one hour than men were.

Probably because women had much less coin to waste.

“ I know you asked for your sister and friends not to know about the infection, but it was impossible to keep it a secret from the staff.” Robyn gave an unapologetic shrug.

“ Doctor Tinsdale had them preparing many concoctions and poultices. It didn’t take a sleuth to deduce your wound had become putrid.

They were all tremendously worried on your behalf. ”

Georgine wasn’t vexed, and, in truth, found their concern touching. “ I was mainly concerned about Regina and my friends working themselves into a froth when there was nothing they could do.”

“ Poor Mittie .” He chuckled, the sound resonating in his broad chest. “ She has kept them informed of your progress, and more than once, she admitted, she almost gave the game away.” He cast a fond glance toward the closed door.

“ My sister is not a master of deception. She’s more apt to blab the truth accidentally, but she kept your little secret. ”

“ I owe her my gratitude. For that and for attending to my care.” Georgine stretched her calves. God , what she wouldn’t do to rise from this bed. “ I am confident she has been a diligent nurse.”

Robyn’s features softened. “ She has, at that, to the point I insisted she go to bed before she collapsed from exhaustion.”

Poor Mittie , indeed .

Another wave of guilt engulfed Georgine .

From his haggard appearance, she would guess Matilda wasn’t the only one fagged to death. Again , she pondered why Robyn had avoided answering her question about why he monitored her. Assuredly , the impropriety didn’t escape him, but there was naught to be done about it now.

Water under the bridge and all that.

“ You do not have to wait for Nelly to return, Robyn .”

Georgine sent a pointed glance toward the closed door.

“ I’m not likely to expire before she returns.

I realize I’ve been quite a burden to you.

Please , attend to whatever you need to.

” She lifted her chin in a show of strength, although if he looked closely, he couldn’t miss her slight trembling from fatigue.

“ I shall be fine. I am possessed of the constitution of an ox and the disposition of a lark.”

The latter added a bit of levity, but Robyn didn’t take the bait.

Hands on his lean, buckskin-covered hips, he gave her an indiscernible look from those warm brown eyes. “ I have never said or indicated you are a burden, Georgine .”