Rumours in the Regency Ballroom: Scandalising the Ton / Gallant Officer, Forbidden Lady

He shook his head. “Your ankle needs tending.” He started up the marble staircase, smiling at her again to ease her discomfort. “By the way, I ought to present myself. I am—”

She interrupted him. “I know who you are.”

Adrian’s smile deepened, flattered that she’d noticed him.

He reached the second floor where he guessed the bedchambers would be. “Direct me to your room.”

“The second door,” she replied. “But, really, you mustn’t—”

It was his turn to interrupt. “Someone must.”

Her bedchamber was adorned with hand-painted wallpaper, bright exotic birds frolicking amidst colourful flowers. A dressing table with a large mirror held sparkling glass bottles, porcelain pots and a brush and comb with polished silver handles. Her bed was neatly made, its white coverlet gleaming and its many pillows plumped with what he guessed was the finest down. The room was chilly, though, as if someone had allowed the fire in the fireplace to go out.

He set her down on the bed, very aware of her hands slipping away from his neck. “I’ll tend the fire.”

“Really, sir. You need not trouble yourself.” Her voice reached a high, nervous pitch.

“It is no trouble.”

He removed his hat, gloves and topcoat and crossed the room to the small fireplace, its mantel of carved marble holding another empty vase. To his surprise, the fire had not died out at all. It was all set to be lit. He found the tinderbox and soon had a flame licking across the lumps of coal.

He returned to her. She had removed her cloak and clutched it in front of her. Adrian took it from her hands and draped it over a nearby chair. It contained something in its pocket. Adrian felt a purse, heavy with coin.

He turned back to her and their eyes met, hers still shimmering with tears.

He touched her arm. “Are you certain you are not in pain? You look near to weeping.”

She averted her gaze. “I’m not in pain.”

He knelt in front of her. “Then let me have a look at that ankle. If it is broken, we will need to summon a surgeon.”

She drew up her leg. “A surgeon!”

“A surgeon would merely set the bone,” he said, puzzled at her alarm.

Her hand fluttered. “I was thinking of the cost.”

“The cost?” Concern over the cost was even more puzzling. Adrian gave her a reassuring smile. “Let us not fret over what is not yet a problem. Let me examine it first.”

She extended her leg again and Adrian untied her halfboot. He slipped off the shoe, made of buttery soft white kid, and held her foot in his hand, enjoying too much its graceful shape.

She flinched.

He glanced up at her. “Am I hurting you?”

“No,” she rasped. “Not hurting.”

He grinned. “Tickling, then. I’ll be more careful.” He forced himself to his task, feeling her ankle, now swollen. His hand slipped up to her calf, but he quickly moved it down to her ankle again, gently moving her foot in all directions.

She gasped.

“Does that hurt?” he asked her.

“A little,” she whispered. “I—I should not be allowing you to do this.”

Indeed. He was enjoying it far too much, and desiring far more.

He cleared his throat. “I believe your ankle is sprained, not broken. I predict you will do nicely in a day or two.” He did not release it. “I should wrap it, though, to give you some support. Do you have bandages, or a strip of cloth?”

Her eyes were half-closed. She blinked and pointed to a chest of drawers. “Look in the bottom drawer.”

Adrian reluctantly let go of her leg and walked over to the chest. The bottom drawer contained neatly folded underclothing made of soft muslin and satiny silk as soft and smooth as her skin.

His thoughts, as if having a will of their own, turned carnal, and he imagined crossing the room and taking her in his arms, tasting her lips, peeling off her clothing, sliding his hands over her skin.

He gave himself an inwards shake. He would not take advantage of this lady. Her peace was disturbed by reporters hounding her for a story, and her whole world had been turned head over ears with news of her husband’s crimes. And his death.

He frowned as he groped through her underclothing, finally coming up with a long thin piece of muslin.

He returned to her and knelt again. “I must remove your stocking.”

She extended her leg.

He slipped his hands up her calf, past her knee, until he found the top of her stocking and the ribbon that held it in place. He untied the ribbon and rolled the stocking down and off her foot. Her skin was smooth and warm and pliant beneath his fingers.

Adrian quickly took the strip of cloth and began to wind it around her ankle.

“Did you study surgery?” she asked, her voice cracking.

He looked up and grinned at her. “I fear it is horses I know, not surgery.”

She laughed, and the sound, like the joyful tinkling of a pianoforte, echoed in his mind.

He tried to force his attention back to the bandage, but she leaned forwards and gave him a good glimpse of her décolletage. “Are you so gentle with horses?”

He glanced back to the bandage and continued wrapping, smoothing the fabric with his other hand.

“What is your name?” Her tone turned low and soft.

He glanced up. “I thought you said you knew me.”

“I do not know your given name,” she said.

“Adrian.” He tied off her bandage and reluctantly released her.

“Adrian.” She extended her hand. “I am Lydia.”

He grasped her hand. “Lydia.”