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Valoree recognized the butler’s voice and evenAsshe raised a handto rub at the sore spot on her skull, she suddenly found herself surrounded by people Meghadthan concerned The butler was fluttering helplessly beforeher, horrified guilt written allover his face for braining her, however unintentionally She alsosaw that a second er, and obviously of thenobility, had crossed the hall to join thevoiceShe had been trying to eavesdrop on That being the case, shesupposed she should feelchagrinat beingcaught
Instead, she felt annoyed If therewasone thing Valoree hated, it was feeling foolish, and the obviousa her feel just that
"I was just co to inform you that refreshaze again He ringinghis hands miserably ashe eyed her "Inever et you anything? A cold co,to pound, and would simply makeit worse"It’s notthefirsttimeI’ve been knocked about a bit, you know"
The sudden silence thatfellgave her the first hint sheulp of dis looked horrified, and the butler and the newco, sheclosed hereyes Yes, thathadto say Most ladies probably didn’t get knocked aboutEver And if they did, they certainly didn’tad That was one of thefirst thingsShe had learned to do as captain of a ship full ofpirates
Thinking before speakingcould avert all sorts of catastrophes
Why hadn’tshedone sonow? "I ht, "she ust
"Perhaps some brandy? " the butler inquired sy to have shocked him out of his stunned silence
Valoree shook her head, wincingas pain shot through her skull again"Never touch the stuff I’ll takeso saidwith a sort of horror, then nedamusement "Oh, my dear, you areever the witty one Youmust not joke so, however, for not everyone knohat a prankster you are" Turning to the butler, who relaxed ather words, she added sweetly, "A coldco, the servant hurried to a sideboard to pourthe brandy, then started back toward Valoree with it, only to pause when "Aunt"Megmet him halfwayacross theroom "I shallfetch a cold compress, " he said as he handed her the snifter, then disappearedthroughthedoor
Valoree watchedhio, but was distracted by the newco at the door? "
Valoree peered at the man with irritation He was tall and handsomeand carried himself as only a member of the nobility couldAnd she would bet her shareof the booty froate hercrew had just taken thathe knew exactly whatshe had been doing There was nobutoff some of the temper his appointment had stirredin him, but she didn’t like itWere they on her ship - But they weren’ton her ship They were in aparlor Sheshe couldShe lied
"I was about toleave the roo away, shefor the loo"
A sudden sputteringThe wo the brandy glass hite-knuckled fierceness and looking readyto swoon Abject horror wasthe only explanation for her pale, pinched lookandthe wayher
The newco at her rather blankly, unableto believehe had heardwhat he thought he had just heard
Gathering frohed inwardly and offered a bland s saltsin the carriage and I was going to have him fetch them for me My aunt faints quite easily, " she added drolly Then, putting a hard edge into her voice, she addressed Meg "Aunt? Is that brandy forme? "
"I - Yes, dear"The wolass into Valoree’shand and pattingher on the back "Come, mydear You should rest silently and drink thisafter that knock"Her emphasiswas notmissed by Valoree
The butler hurried into the room just as Valoree lifted the snifter ofbrandy to her lips
"Here,to her side withaflowered bluebowl filledater and a fresh cloth Setting the tookher glass, setit aside, and took up the cloth to dip it in the water
"Iam ever so sorry about this All of thisYoushould noteven havehad towait Yours was theonly appointment scheduled for today, but - "
"ButI arrived unexpectedlyand quite rudelyusurpedsoer man interrupted "Of course, once I realized that MasterWhisterhad anotherappointment, I politely took myself off hereto allow you your ti directly"
Valoree accepted that bit of infor as the woman touched her arm
"Lean your head back, " her faux aunt instructed quietly, then laidthecold cloth out flatover her forehead and face so that even hermouth was covered
If Valoree had suspected thatcoenerally supposedto cover the hter frothecloth away, she satup toglare at Meg, thenglanced toward the newco-downhe deserved, the butler murmured, "Well, then, MasterWhister should bereadyto see younow I shall just check tosee - "
"No need to check, Hinkle I amready"
They allturnedto the door at that bluff announcement, and Valoree took in the laith curiosityHe was tall, slender, and distinguished-looking Too, he had a gentle, reassuring face that seeest he was trustworthy He tooka uests, then started forward, his s all right? You are not ill, are you, my lady? "
"Aye I to her feet as the solicitor paused before her Turning to Meg with suddenpanic, sheadded, "And thisis atthat point that shewould bemorethan happy to allow the womantotake overThe lawyerintimidated her She didn’t knohy The other though he was, did She supposed it had soet what she wanted, Ainsley Castle And she knew that cutlasses and flintlocks were not the way to do it this ti stepped into take over As Valoree watched, Megsasthe lawyer ushered them out of the salon andinto hisofficeOnce there, the small talk between thetwo continued briefly beforethey finally got around tobusiness
"I received your letter regarding your brother Jereanwith suitable solemnity"I realizehe is the last of your closefathe pang of loss she felt at the mention of hisname