《Angel of Mercy》Chapter 3
Advertisement
Being confined to a bed was the worst sort of punishment for a man like Ethan Northcott, Earl of Salisbury. Even reviewing estate reports would be better than this he thought dejectedly.
He hurt all over. Particularly the throbbing in his head. With his left leg immobilized and his side bound tightly his movements were limited to ringing the bell on the side table.
But she wasn't often away, that he required use of the bell. His nurse that is. Miss Rhodes. He still couldn't believe Huxley had called for one. He was certain he would have woken with or without her presence. Fairly certain anyway.
As for his aunt and cousin returning to London under the assumption he would die, that he had no trouble believing. Isabelle had never shown much affection for him even after his parents died in that terrible storm at sea as they were returning home from the America's. He was only eight at the time but the heir nonetheless and Isabelle and her husband Laurence (his fathers' brother) raised him until he reached maturity. Not that Laurence lived long enough to see it.
Reggie was a whiny thing always complaining or demanding one thing or another. And quite useless at just about everything: archery, musical instruments, penmanship, arithmetic. It certainly explained why he had so many tutors growing up.
But something would have to be done about them, he decided grimly. He'd been kind over the years since he'd gained the title and full control of Lavender Hall but their frivolous spending and inconsequential care for his health and wellbeing was not justified by rearing him after losing his parents. His uncle left them well off, they'd need not plague him.
He wasn't going to-
"I've made you some special tea that should help with the pain in your head."
Advertisement
Miss Rhodes had returned carrying a tea tray that she set down beside the bed. She was wearing gray again. He was beginning to think that was the only color of gown she owned. With a white apron tied around her waist and blond hair bound back in a tight bun she was every bit the taciturn nurse he had always imagined of those of her profession.
First, she helped him carefully sit up in bed, then she handed him the delicate porcelain cup designed with swirling blue flowers.
"Drink slowly," she cautioned, "It's hot."
As if he'd never drunk a cup of tea before he thought, taking a small sip. Ridiculous woman!
She laid a cool hand on his forehead. "No fever, that's good. How is your appetite? Do you think you could manage some toast or fruit? I heard your cook Mrs. Dandridge just got some lovely berries from the market."
He gave the cup back to her and shook his head.
She frowned, "All right but you really must eat something."
"I told you I don't want –
"DARLING! I'VE JUST HEARD. YOU, POOR DEAR!"
Internally Ethan groaned. He'd know that voice anywhere.
Francesca Delacroix swept into the room in a burst of color and citrus scented perfume and threw herself upon his immobile body.
Who the bloody hell let her in? He wanted to know. He'd given Huxley strict instructions prior to his accident to ensure she never set foot upon Lavender Hall again. Terrible judgement on his part for ever getting involved with her in the first place. But how was he to know she was needy, loud, and overly dramatic. Not to mention expensive. As if she needed any more gowns!
"Are you in very much pain, my love," Francesca asked, reaching for his hand.
Advertisement
He grimaced, "That hurts."
"Lord Salisbury has a puncture wound in his side," Miss Rhodes explained. "He's very tender there at the moment."
Francesca narrowed her heavily made-up eyes on her. "And who is this?" she quipped.
"I am Miss Emmaline Rhodes. Lord Salisbury's nurse."
"Ah a nurse," Francesca said, running her eyes over Miss Rhodes' simple and worn dress. "That explains your attire."
Francesca in comparison wore a periwinkle blue gown, amply displaying her bosom, a beaded choker and about a pound of rouge on her face. Her hair a unique shade of red-orange - though he still swore in his drunken state it had been chestnut- was elegantly coiffed and styled a few corkscrew curls framing her long face and remarkably pointed chin.
Ethan gave Miss Rhodes a pleading look. Must he endure much more of this. Bad enough he had to tolerate Miss Rhodes and her, know it all manner.
"I came as soon as I heard," Francesca said.
"Is that so?" Miss Rhodes demurred, "The post must be very slow, Lord Salisbury's accident was nearly three weeks ago."
That was almost rude, he thought. Interesting.
Francesca glared at her.
"You know I think I will have some toast," Ethan interjected.
"I'll help you," Francesca volunteered.
"Certainly, but first, I must change Lord Salisbury's dressing. You may assist if you wish. You don't faint at the sight of blood, do you?" Miss Rhodes asked.
Francesca wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Perhaps I'll wait outside."
"Of course," Miss Rhodes said agreeably. "But this may take some time. It might be best if you come back."
"Well, I –
"Yes, then we can have a proper visit," Ethan assured her.
"Well, all right." Francesca leaned down and kissed his cheek then glaring at Miss Rhodes swept from the room.
"She seems charming," said Miss Rhodes, fighting a smile.
He frowned, "I thought you said my dressing wouldn't need to be changed until tomorrow."
"It doesn't." she replied.
"Oh," he said, comprehension dawning. That bit about changing his dressing had all been a ruse to get rid of Francesca. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. But in the future best to let your mistress know ahead of time if you find yourself bed bound."
"She's not my mistress. She's a...an acquaintance."
"Indeed," said Miss Rhodes, raising her eyebrows. "An actress or perhaps an opera singer."
"It's no concern of yours." An opera singer in fact.
"Of course," she said, handing him back his cup of tea. "I'll go see about that toast."
What an odd woman. Ethan thought when she was gone. But he had to admit. The tea was good.
Advertisement
-
The Blood Core
Amara has been having a rough couple of weeks. Unwittingly committing tax fraud can do that to a person. Now forced to "enjoy" house arrest until her court date, she ends up playing a Virtual Reality Dive Game that she hasn't touched in over three years. Logging in was easy enough, she just had to sit down in her Dive Chair. The complications came after that when her character seemingly broke the game. Now she is a dungeon core of all things! With no way to contact other players or the Game Masters, she has to find a way to get out of the game in time for her court date. She'd rather not go to prison for a long time. Maxwell had decided that he had just wasted the last five months of his life on a path that would never work for him in life. Deciding to just give up on the finals, he loads up the new game he just bought for the exams. He didn't expect to end up trapped inside like all the shows he'd seen in his youth. It didn't help that his character was basically on Hardcore mode being a Dark Elf Village Leader in the middle of a human supremacy kingdom that went in every direction for hundreds of leagues. Without knowing how dying might affect him, he steels himself to grow his village into the new power in the area. Of course, that's easier said than done when a blood-thirsty dungeon appears to be on a warpath with everything in the area.
8 253 -
My Italian Mafia Boss.
Alissa is bad ass. Don't take shit from no one. So what happens when she gets sold to the Ruthless Italian Mafia Boss??Alessio is Ruthless, Cruel, a total player never let's anyone talk back to him so what happens when he meets the girl he bought??
8 209 -
Stranger To Kind ✔
[NA Featured] He could move, talk and feel. Something said impossible. Yet she couldn't help but love him._"Turn around slowly," said the intruder with significant command."P-Please don't-" I stuttered.My breath hitched when a hand gripped my shoulder. The dire state had no chance to recede when I was jerked around for a face to face encounter. Fear demanded all of me, yet I had a moment of anticipation of whom I reckoned to see."Alfie?"Once I set my eyes on the person who just forced authority, I was struck with bewilderment.A male, similar to those I thought only exist on a poster, now stood before me. His face was strong and defined. His hazel eyes were prominently alluring. As I stood at a 5'7, my head barely level his shoulder. A slight glow shimmered in his gaze, and it earned him more of my stupefaction. What I didn't expect next was the sight of his lips quirking upward. The knife in his hand fell with a silent thud as it hit the floor. The sound howled me back to reality in a haphazard manner.Before I could react, he pulled me into a firm embrace. Although still confused about what was happening, my body protested against my brain's command to pull away. _In the future, women step up to govern the earth, a new ruling to heal the aftermath of a devastating war. HEROIN, a constitution with authority, claims the reappearance of men as a mere vessel, retained by nature to seed population.When Charis falls in love with her pod, her view of men changes. Little does she know that her attempt to protect him will be the beginning of unravelling the dark truth about what she thought of as Utopia. A test of judgment awaits; her believes against the world soon become the key to save humanity.Word count: <>Top rank:1• #future #men #newworld #genetics #dystopian-future #extinction #science #scifi-romance2• #environment #newadult3• #nature #hope6• #scifi-fantasy #dystopian #dystopian-fiction #alien9• #different #earth
8 275 -
If We Cannot Grow Old Together
Qiaosheng, you are the one who saves me, yet you are also the one who gives me hell. If we cannot grow old together, I'd rather we've never met before.
8 93 -
Marriage and Politics
Sasuke has been brought back and Orochimaru is dead. Naruto is broken, yet perseveres. Arranged marriages. Will Naruto find happiness or will he wallow in depression. Naruto x Temari
8 183 -
Just Another Bad Boy
Ella Winters has a thing for jerks. She has a type and she doesn't even know it. After she gets burned she swears she is done with the bad boys but then in walks Trevor Walker. Trevor Walker knows how to cause some trouble and Ella is in for a bumpy ride when she gets paired up with him in history class.
8 118