The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) Read Online Free Page A

edge of the bed, closely watching the rise and fall of her chest. Balancing the bowl on his legs, he tenderly brushed the hair back from her face. He dipped a cloth and squeezed out the excess water, then placed the damp compress on her forehead. When the cloth grew warm he followed the procedure again, but this time he wiped down Jewel’s arms and bare chest, trying everything to bring her body heat down. How strange it felt to take care of someone again. Adam remembered taking care of Elizabeth when they were younger. Even though they were twins, he had always seemed years older. But she hadn’t been as cooperative as this patient. She’d usually fussed about staying in bed. Of course, Elizabeth had never been as sick as the lady before him.
    Again he applied the soothing water, and held the moist rag to her parched lips to relieve the dryness.
    The hours passed slowly. After a while, Adam stood and rolled his head on his shoulders to alleviate the tension and pain in his neck. Picking up the basin, he moved back to the washstand. That was when he heard a moan so soft he thought perhaps he’d only imagined it. He jerked around.
    Easing down onto the bed, he took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb over her soft palm. “I’m here, Jewel. Just rest and get well,” he whispered.
    Compassion stirred deep in his soul. But compassion was all he could ever feel for this mysterious woman who had drifted into his life, he told himself, despite the strong attraction that swept his body.
    Suddenly, Jewel’s eyelids flew open. She reached up and grabbed Adam’s shirt. She stared directly at him. “P—Please don’t let me die.” The soft plea slipped from quivering lips. Adam grabbed her arms so she wouldn’t fall. Slowly, he lowered her back to the bed, then leaned closer so he could hear her softly spoken words. She had a very slight French accent, but not a normal accent—it was somehow different.
    “I—I’m so cold. C-can’t get warm.” Her head thrashed from side to side. “Don’t let them hurt me. Don’t leave me— please,” she begged, grasping his hand.
    The words, though choppy and brief, affected Adam deeply. He became lost in the brown velvet softness of her feverish eyes, and found he had been holding his breath. He let it out slowly, thinking how small she looked in the midst of the pillows that surrounded her.
    Before he could move or say anything, Jewel’s eyes closed and once again she slipped back into the deep sleep she’d been in before. She still clutched his hand. Her lips quivered from fever-induced chills.
    Adam loosened her fingers from his hand, then quickly retrieved two quilts from the chair, tucking them around her. He waited. The quilts didn’t help. Nothing seemed to help. Her shivering increased. Swiftly, he removed his boots and shirt, and thought for one brief second about removing his breeches, but decided against it. He wanted to keep thinking of this young lady as a child that needed protection—nothing more. Otherwise, it would be far too easy for one thing to lead to another. He also didn’t want Annie to have an attack of the vapors when she found him in bed with Jewel the next morning.
    He slid under the covers, pulling the blankets over them, being careful of Jewel’s raw back as he placed her next to his long frame. Her skin felt dry and hot to the touch.
    Gliding one arm under her head, he draped the other over her waist, the radiating heat from Jewel’s body quickly engulfing them both in sweat Still, he held her close, offering her his body’s warmth and comfort. Somehow he had to stop her chills. It seemed like hours before he felt her relax and the trembling ceased.
    Exhaustion finally claimed Adam, and he relaxed. Not since he’d been a boy had he experienced such a peaceful contentment. Again he remembered his mother’s death, but this time the outcome would be different, he vowed. The woman cradled in his arms would live because he’d saved her