Page 59 of Mayfair Madame

I knew her answer from the look of embarrassment on her face. Fuck, no. I didn’t want her feeling that.

“Look, at least come stay with me for the first few days and then see how you’re getting on.”

She nodded. “Okay. You win this time.” She fussed with the toast on her plate, and as much as I wanted to see her eat, she needed her rest.

“Get some sleep. I’ll be right here.”

She closed her eyes, a small smile on her face. How had we got here? I still couldn’t believe how quickly I’d fallen for her. She was so faraway from who I’d normally choose to be with.

But she’d got under my skin and I hers, if I was reading the signs right.

I sat back in the chair and watched the steady rise and fall of her chest as she slept.

“Stay with me, Ellie,” I whispered. “Show me what it’s like to beloved, and I promise I’ll do the same.”

“One more step and you’re there.”

Ellie collapsed on the sofa, completely out of breath. Today was Thursday. My birthday and Ellie’s release day from the hospital.

I’d cancelled all my plans for the next few days, intent on caring for Ellie until she was strong enough to do it herself.

The infection had taken more out of her than she’d cared to admit, sapping her strength, and because of that, the doctors had kept her in an extra day.

But now she was here. The clothes I’d picked for her hung loosely on her body. She’d lost quite a few pounds.

“Can I get you anything? Water? Something to eat?”

“I’m fine. Again, you’ve done enough.”

I removed her shoes and helped her to lie on the sofa. The heatwave we’d been having had subsided, and rain lashed the windows. I covered her with a light blanket.

Yes, I was coddling her, but it was in my nature to care for people, and Ellie wouldn’t be down for long. She was strong-willed and had a tenacity about her I admired. It was that quality that had put her in this predicament.

“Well, you rest. I’ve a few calls to make and hopefully a situation to resolve.”

“Thank you, Naomi, for this. I could have managed at home.”

We both knew that was a lie. I’d seen her place. It wasn’t in the best part of the city, and I honestly thought she’d not long moved in. Unpacked boxes with books, clothes, kitchen utensils, some still wrapped in bubble wrap,littered the main room.

My intention was to help get it looking something like when she was back on her feet, of course.

“You’re here now and recovering. That’s what matters, not where you’re doing it.”

“Definitely better surroundings. I wouldn’t mind living somewhere like this, but I can’t afford it on my salary.” She chuckled and closed her eyes.

It had surprised the doctors how long it had taken for her to recover. How had she remained unconscious for two whole days? It had been an infection, nothing more, but it showed we never knew how each person would react.

She was on the mend, and that was all I cared about.

“Don’t forget your medication.”

She mumbled something. It could have been ‘yes, Mum.’ I wasn’t sure.

I left her to sleep and went to my office. I’d had a missed call from Rupert, no doubt wishing me a happy birthday, and I smiled at the thought.He was such a sweet man, one of the nicest I’d ever known.

I called him back.

“Happy birthday, my dearest. How’s your day going?” he said