Page 170 of Rogue of My Heart

* * *

Albina was about to lose her mind, she was so bored.

Ironically enough, she had been the one to get ill from her excursion in the rain, so she’d spent the last few days stuck in bed. She could just imagine how her poor nose appeared considering the amount of handkerchiefs she had gone through.

Albina remembered that when her son Connor would get a sore throat, the world must surely be ending, he would complain so, but now she had to admit that it was pretty miserable. She was tired of coughing, of Mrs. Dryler only sending up tea, chicken broth, and bread for her to eat, and irritated because Michael only came by to visit her at short intervals, claiming “you need your rest.”

If she needed any more “rest” at this point, she feared she’d be dead and buried.

She didn’t even bother to stifle a groan when Helen arrived with her dinner tray. “I swear I shall throw it across the room if it is another bowl of soup.”

Helen’s eyes widened slightly; not used to her mistress sounding so severe. “Not to worry, my lady. Mrs. Dryler said that you deserved a treat for being such a good patient.”

The maid set the tray on the bedside table and lifted the lid to reveal the scents of heaven. “Ah. That is better.” Albina greedily took in the smell of roasted pork, steamed vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and even a strawberry tart. “Finally, a proper meal.”

Helen set the tray on her mistress’ lap, and Albina began to attack the meal with gusto. At this point, she didn’t care if she took small bites and portrayed the actions of a proper lady. She was hungry and it was delicious.

“I’ll come back later for the tray, my lady. And I’ll give your compliments to Mrs. Dryler.” The maid grinned before she quit the room, leaving Albina to her feast.

Every single morsel was gone, and she finally sat back with a contented sigh. She was still sipping on her tea when there was a brief knock at her door. Thinking that it was Helen returning for the tray, she bade her enter, only to find out it was Chael instead.

* * *

He eyed her plate and lifted a dark brow. “I heard you were grateful for something else to eat.” He took the tray and set it back on the bedside table, before sitting on the edge of the bed.

“I didn’t know I was going to have to suffer from being sick and starved to death.” She sniffed, and not because she was just trying to make a point.

He chuckled as she grabbed her handkerchief and wiped her nose.

“It’s not funny!” She crossed her arms, even as her lips twitched in spite of herself.

He shook his head. “Do you remember when Connor used to get a sore throat? One would think that Nostradamus was right and the world was ending.”

Albina’s chest seized at his words that so perfectly echoed her thoughts from moments before. “He was rather crabby, to be sure.”

His brown eyes held a hint of mirth when he looked at her. “And now we know where he gets it from.”

Albina’s mouth fell open. Could it be that he was actually teasing her? It made her heart beat with renewed vigor. “If that is true, then I would have to say that Mary and Sarah got their stubborn natures from their father.”

Michael’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “If you weren’t so ill, I might just have to call you out for that slur on my honor.”

“It’s not a ‘slur’ if it’s the truth,” she countered, earning her another rich laugh. She shrugged, adding, “At least Connor got your dark hair. Can you imagine how much he would detest me if he’d inherited my red?” She shook her unbound hair now, just imagining the battle that would have ensued should that have been a reality.

But when she felt a slight tug on one of the strands, she paused and looked down where Chael was rubbing a section of her hair between his thumb and forefinger. His eyes were fixated on the spot, as if the sight had nearly hypnotized him. “I was always fascinated with the color,” he murmured, almost to himself. “Not quite the color of fire, but more of a burnished copper.”

Albina held her breath, her gaze riveted on Chael. When he finally glanced up, their eyes met. It was as if time stood still. His focus dropped to her mouth and she stopped breathing entirely. They were so close that if both of them just leaned in a little bit closer…

He shook his head and rose to his feet. “I should go.” With one last, lingering glance at her, he left.

The next morning a miracle occurred. Albina awoke with a clear head, so she intended to make up for all the time she’d laid around like a slugabed.

Including a newly evolved plan to seduce her husband.

If that near kiss the night before had been any indication, it was apparent that he was still attracted to her, so she intended to use that to her advantage. While she still held that niggling doubt about his mysterious errand, she decided to push it out of her mind. She told herself there was a perfectly rational explanation, for surely if there was another woman, he wouldn’t look at her with such passion. She wasn’t so old that she hadn’t imagined that look of raw lust in her husband’s eyes.

But what if I was wrong and he rejects me? her inner voice chided.

Then that’s the choice you have to ask yourself if you’re willing to take. But isn’t he worth the effort?