His hair was tousled and he seemed to be more asleep than awake yet. A lock of his hair had fallen on
his forehead, giving him the appearance of being a bit vulnerable to her. Without a thought as to what
she was doing, she brushed his hair back in place.
'You may look out the window tomorrow,' he returned, his voice husky from slumber.
After making that statement, he took the candle away from her, put it back on the table, and then arrogantly motioned for her to get back in bed.
'Does your side hurt?' he asked.
She didn't think he was overly concerned about her injury because he'd yawned when he'd asked the question.
Jade started to tell him no, that it didn't pain her much at all, then reconsidered. 'Yes,' she said. 'It
stings, but only just a little,' she added when he looked a bit too concerned. 'Why were you sleeping
in the chair?'
He pulled his shirt off before answering her. 'You were taking up most of the bed,' he explained.
'I didn't want to move you.'
'Move me? Why would you want to move me?'
Caine blew out the candles, pulled the covers back, and stretched out next to her. Then he gave her a roundabout answer. 'I'll just stay with you until you fall asleep again.'
'But Caine, it isn't at all proper…'
'Go to sleep, love. You need your rest.'
She stiffened when he put his arm around her. His hand rested between her breasts. When she tried to ease it away, he captured her hand and held on.
'This really isn't at all…' She quit protesting in mid-sentence, realizing it was wasted effort. Caine was already snoring again and certainly wouldn't hear a word she said.
She decided there was little harm in letting him sleep with her for a short while. She had, after all, run
the man ragged and he surely needed his rest. She'd already noticed how cranky he became when he
was weary. Odd, but she found that flaw a bit endearing.
Jade snuggled up against him and closed her eyes. She instinctively knew he would behave himself. He was a gentleman, and he'd given her his word that he'd never take advantage of her.
She was obviously just as exhausted as he appeared to be, for she fell asleep with the most confusing thought rambling through her mind.
She was beginning to wish he wasn't such a gentleman after all.
The physician, Sir Hanvick, couldn't be located for two full days and nights. Caine sent messengers to
his London home and to his country estate. Harwick was finally located at the residence of Lady McWilliams, attending to a birthing. He sent a missive back to Caine explaining that as soon as his duty there was completed, he would immediately ride over to Caine's estate.
Caine ranted about that inconvenience until Jade reminded him that her condition wasn't life threatening,
a fact, she added, that the messenger had related to the physician, and that she was beginning to feel much better anyway and didn't need or want anyone poking at her.
Lingering soon became torture for Jade. She couldn't stand the confinement.
The weather mimicked her mood too. Since the moment she'd arrived at Caine's home, it hadn't quit raining.
Caine's mood was just as sour as her own. He reminded her of a caged animal. Every time he came into her room to speak to her, he paced back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back, while he grilled
her about her past, her brother, and all the events leading up to the murder she'd witnessed. Caine
always ended each dueling session with the remark that he didn't have enough information yet to draw any substantial conclusions.
His frustration was almost visible. Jade found fencing with him just as nerve grating. She was careful
not to give him too many true facts or too many lies, either, but Lord, it was exhausting work.
They spent quite a lot of time shouting at each other. Jade accused him of being sorry he ever became involved in her problems. He was, of course, insulted by such an accusation. Still, he didn't come right out and deny it.
In her heart, she thought he didn't find her appealing any longer. Why, he didn't even try to kiss her anymore, or sleep next to her, and by the third day, he was barely speaking a civil word to her.
On the fourth night of her confinement, Jade's control snapped. She tore off the fresh bandage that
Sterns had changed for her just a few hours' earlier, ordered a bath for herself, and then announced
that she was fully recovered.
By the time she finished washing her hair, her frame of mind had improved considerably. Sterns helped her dry the long curls, then sat her in front of the hearth where a full fire blazed.
After Sterns directed the servants in changing the bedding and removing the tub, he nagged Jade back
into bed.
As soon as darkness fell, Jade gave the signal to her men, then returned to her bed. She opened one of
the books she'd borrowed from Caine's library, and settled down to read to the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance.
The storm proved to be more than just bluster, however. A giant tree, as tall as Caine's three-story house,
