Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Yes, it must be rather tedious.” His tone suggested boredom. It was that tone that I’d come to recognize as quintessentially Theo. I’d overheard him talking with North Hunter and been disappointed by him. His treatment of me that night in his room had confirmed my dislike for the man, if not the storyteller.
But now, after observing his care for me, I wondered if the perpetually bored aristocrat was a mask. And if so, why did he feel he needed to hide his true self?
“All done.” He patted the top of my head like I was five years old, and I felt his weight lift from the mattress.
Turning, I fingered the long, damp braids, feeling so much better than I had this morning. Clean and fresh, if still devoid of energy and stuffed up. “Thank you.”
Theo met my gaze and shrugged. “’Twas nothing.” He gestured to a fresh glass of water and paracetamol. “Take those and get some rest.” Then suddenly, he leaned over and took my phone off the bedstand and handed it to me. “Passcode.” At my questioning look, he huffed a little impatiently. “I’m going to put my number in your phone because I intend to go out for a bit. I need some fresh air, and we need groceries.”
“Oh.” He was staying, then?
I opened my phone, and he took it and quickly added his number. “Call if you need me and I’ll come back.”
“Okay.”
“Is there anything you require from the grocery store?”
I shook my head, the thought of food turning my stomach.
“You’re sure? You’re not due your period and need tampons or anything?”
I blushed at the blasé way he asked. Growing up with a grandfather who was loving but old-fashioned and didn’t talk about those things, I wasn’t used to a man being so open about the subject.
“Good God, woman,” he murmured, studying me. “Is there anything body-related that doesn’t make you blush like a schoolgirl?”
Scowling at the underlying mockery in his tone, I shooed him away. “I’m too tired to be subject to your charientism today, Cavendish. Off you go.”
He raised an eyebrow, something lighting up his eyes. “Well, well, well, don’t you have quite the vocabulary.”
“Why are you surprised? You said you’ve read my books.”
Theo full-on grinned now. “Yes, but I don’t remember you using words like charientism. And I wasn’t insulting you, little mouse.”
“No, you were low-key mocking me.” Even now my cheeks were hot with the confrontation. “If I’m such a joke to you, Mr. Cavendish, why are you here?”
His grin fell. “I’d think my being here was proof that I don’t think you’re a joke.” Theo’s eyes narrowed. “After that tongue-lashing you gave me back at Ardnoch, I can’t believe I forgot that beneath those shy schoolgirl blushes lies a temper.”
“Ugh.” I pulled the duvet over my face. “I’m too tired for verbal jousting.”
“Pity,” I thought I heard him murmur with humor in his voice. “So that’s a no on period supplies, then?”
Oh, for goodne—wait. I counted the days in my head. Damn it. I was due my period in two days, and I was as regular as clockwork. “Actually …”
“What’s that, darling? I can’t hear you through the duvet covering your face.”
Grumbling, I shoved the blanket down and forced myself to look him directly in the eyes. “I need … tam … Ineedtampons,” I mumbled.
“Ah, so that’s why you’re temperamental this morning.”
In answer, I used the last of my energy to throw the box of tissues at him. Theo darted out of the way, laughing. Still chuckling, he picked up the box and put it back on my bedside. Humor glittered in his eyes, making him even more attractive. “What a thanks I get for taking care of you.”
Knowing he was right, but still annoyed, I murmured “Thank you” and then turned on my side to give him my back.
The bastard sounded like he was barely holding in his laughter as he wandered out of the bedroom to go on his errands.
So surreal, I thought again as my eyes drifted closed. Life was so, so surreal right now.
Seven
SARAH
The walls of the cottage were starting to close in on me. While I still wasn’t back to full energy, my restlessness kicked up a gear this morning, and I knew if I didn’t get outside for fresh air, I’d lose my mind. Growing up on a farm, I was used to constant walks in the countryside. Even working at Ardnoch, sometimes I’d take my lunch break just walking around the grounds to get out of the castle. I spent my weekends hiking or finding beaches to explore.
Four days I’d lain in this bed while Theo Cavendish took care of me. He tended to me with cavalier mothering that still shocked me. I’d learned quickly not to bring it up to him, however, because it made him prickly. It was like he didn’t want anyone to think he was capable of kindness. And yet, the complicated bugger got annoyed when I suggested he was looking after me to get his hands on the film rights to my books.