Lord Valorous(21)

"Oh, for pity's sake, Niven. I am not now, nor ever will I be more than a friend to you. Now be gone, if you please!" Poppy stepped between Jacob and Mr. Hardy.

Mr. Hardy glared at Jacob over her head before he turned and left without another word.

"I fear your brutal rebuff has cut him to the quick, Poppy."

"He'll get over it, believe me, and my name is Miss March."

"Ah, but it's also Poppy, and I find I quite like that. It suits you."

"Imagine how happy that makes me," she muttered. "And I have said far harsher things to Niven before, and he never gives up. I fear only death or marriage will release me from his persistent admiration."

Jacob sighed. "Just another poor besotted fool suffering unrequited love."

"Do not make fun of me," she snapped, attempting to glare at him, but as it was followed with a shiver, she merely looked more pathetic than she already did. "And you can follow him, my lord. Please leave so I may sleep."



       
         
       
        

Jacob stopped her from walking past him by reaching for her hand. Without thinking, he grabbed her injured fingers. She screamed and then fainted. He caught her, swinging her up in his arms, then left the room, locking the door behind him.





CHAPTER SIX





Poppy woke feeling nauseous. Opening her eyes, she found Lord Dangerous seated across from her.

"You g-grabbed my hand!"

"It was not deliberate, I assure you, Poppy. I simply reached for you, and am sorry to say, forgot about your damaged fingers. Forgive me."

He looked as composed and handsome as he had the last time they met, while she lay sprawled inelegantly along the seat. His coat was dark blue this time.

"How many overcoats do you own?"

"Many."

"How fortunate you are," she muttered, feeling silly for raising the subject. He wore a pale blue woolen scarf knotted around his neck, and Poppy wondered if anything ruffled him, if anything had the power to unsettle him as it often did her.

"I am sorry I hurt you," he said.

She managed to murmur a sound around the dryness in her throat. The man was ridiculously appealing when he smiled. She quickly sat upright. Lying down put her at a distinct disadvantage around him.

"I want to go home."

"Do you really?"

She nodded slowly, as her head felt steadier, but she still could not shake it. Poppy had spent the last two days sleeping every minute she could and working with one hand. No one had noticed, as Charlie had not been around to see her, and no one else particularly cared. She was slower than normal, but had still managed to get everything done.

"Then I shall take you once you have visited the doctor."

"I have no money for a doctor."

"I do."

"I'm not taking your money!" Outraged at the thought, Poppy sat up straighter. "I can never repay you, and I will be beholden to no one."

"I'm sure we can find a way for you to repay me."

His eyes were calm, but everything inside Poppy went cold.

"I will never do that!" Horrified, she slid along the seat toward the door. "How dare you suggest I do that!"

"I don't believe I suggested anything."

He hadn't moved, just continued to watch her.

"Yes, you did, you thought I'd...." Poppy couldn't say the words.

"What do you do exactly at the brothel you work at?"

"How do you know I work in a brothel?" Shame washed over her. If her family ever had word how she was earning her money, and her place of employment, she would be dragged home forthwith. 

"I watched from my carriage the other night until you were inside."

"How dare you!"

He didn't speak, just sat there, waiting for her to talk. Poppy had never been able to sit still; it was an enviable trait as far as she was concerned. He sat there waiting for her to yield, as he knew she would. Because he was a nobleman and she was a nothing.

"I'm not telling you, just because you are of noble birth and I am not."

That had him moving; he shook his head before resettling his eyes on her.

"That sentence made absolutely no sense, Poppy. Would you care to try again?"

"No, I would not, and my name is Miss March. I want you to let me out here, so I can return home."

"You believe because I am a nobleman I am entitled to the answers to every question I ask of you?"

When put like that, it did sound silly, but the noblemen she'd met at the brothel seemed to have that attitude.

"It matters not. What matters is I'm not doing that... with you." She felt the flush of heat fill her cheeks, but Poppy did not look away.