Thornbrook Park Read Online Free

shake free of his hold, she plucked at his thick fingers one at a time until he stretched his hand, allowing for her release. She scrambled off the bed. When he reached to pull her back, he found the pillow she held out to take her place. He pulled it to him in a tight embrace, like a child with a stuffed bear.
    Sutton returned with a tray.
    â€œSet it on the table, Mr. Sutton. We may not need it after all.”
    Sutton did as instructed, then came to stand at Eve’s side by the bed. They hovered over their charge. “Shall I attempt to undress him?”
    Eve sighed. “No, Mr. Sutton. I think it’s best to leave him alone to sleep it off.”
    â€œDo you think it safe to leave him, then? Or should I sit with him?”
    â€œI doubt he will be aware of anyone’s presence in his room tonight,” Eve said. “I believe it’s safe to go back to bed. No doubt he will need you in the morning. Leave his door open, perhaps? I’m right across the hall, should he require anything.”
    â€œOh, but ma’am—”
    She took the butler’s arm. “I’m aware that it’s not exactly proper, but I’m a widow, Mr. Sutton. Men hold little mystery for me. Besides, he’s fully clothed. Mostly clothed. I can handle any little emergencies that may come up without compromising myself, I believe. Please, go on and get some rest.”
    Sutton hesitated, but the bags under his eyes spoke for his exhaustion. “All right. But do ring the bell if you have need of me. I can be back in an instant.”
    â€œYes. If I need you, I will ring for you at once.”
    Seemingly reassured, Sutton bid Eve good night and escorted her back to her door before ambling off down the hall. No sooner had Eve gotten back into bed than she heard Captain Thorne call out, a strident wail. She darted from her room to his side. He thrashed in his bed, occasionally groaning, seemingly in the grips of a nightmare.
    She placed a cool hand on his warm brow. “There, Captain Thorne. It’s only a dream.”
    He stirred, opened his eyes, and grabbed her hand, his eyes finding her but seeming to look right through her.
    â€œPlease,” he said, barely a whisper.
    Just the one word. He gripped her hand, but he might have been gripping her heart. In that one second, she felt for him so completely. Please . She had no idea what he wanted, but he looked so terribly lost and overwhelmed that she couldn’t bear to leave him.
    â€œYes,” Eve answered. “I’m here. It’s all right now.”
    He exhaled sharply, as if he’d been holding his breath, and suddenly seemed to relax again. He released his grip, closed his eyes, and eased into the mattress, falling back asleep. But what if the nightmare returned? She took the risk of removing his shoes, one at a time. That done, she spread a blanket over him, moved the chair from his desk over to his bedside, and sat watching over him as he slept on.
    Occasionally, he shifted fitfully, but the nightmare didn’t return. Sitting by his bed, stroking his hair to soothe his fidgeting, gave Eve a sense of satisfaction she hadn’t felt in some time. Perhaps it was the intimacy of the situation. How long had it been since she had touched a man in a meaningful way? Or it was how deeply she felt needed, as if Marcus Thorne wouldn’t make it through the night without her.
    Of course he would. A grown man, he had probably been deep in his cups more than once. But to be the one sitting by his bed, drawing up the covers when he shivered, stroking his brow when he seemed to be on the verge of another nightmare, allowed her to feel she was providing a very necessary comfort. She stayed by his bed until the very last second she could manage, when her own eyes started to close, and only then did she reluctantly leave him to slip away back to her room.
    ***
    His head throbbed as if he’d fallen on the track and a train was rolling