Free Capturing Sir Dunnicliffe (The Star Elite Series) by Rebecca King

to take for the pain,” she offered cautiously. She knew he was aware she was a witch, and knew that was the reason he had sought her out, but she still hesitated to offer him her potions – even if he was in dire need of them.
    He could feel her caution and wondered if she felt he was going to judge her. Carefully keeping his face impassive, his eyes met and held hers directly. “If you could come up with anything that might help ease the pain, then I would be extremely grateful,” he said softly.
    “Let’s get you back to bed. The more sleep you get, the better you will feel,” she murmured, standing beside his chair patiently until he pushed to his feet with a low groan. Instinctively, she moved to help him, only to pause. Something about him warned her that he wouldn’t appreciate her help, so instead she stood to one side and let him shuffle past. After several steps it was clear that he was struggling to remain upright, much less keep his balance. With a sigh, Harriett lifted his good arm and draped it around her shoulders, wedging herself under his well muscled arm. Surprisingly, he made no objection, merely leaned on her and allowed her to help him back to her bedroom.
    His low groan when he lay back down told her that he was in significant pain. Leaving him to tug the covers back over his legs, she went into her workroom and pulled out the various herbs she would need.
    “What’s in it?” Hugo asked, frowning down at the murky liquid minutes later. Although good manners and curiosity had dictated that he accept anything she offered him, now that the liquid was in his hand, he felt his stomach churn in protest at the faintly minty tones that assailed his nostrils.
    “ The cup you are holding is nothing more than mint tea. It will stop you feeling sick again. This cup is a tisane of valerian root and skullcap in honey. It will relieve your pain and help relax you while your body heals. The honey will help it taste better.”
    Hugo’s eyes shot up to hers in surprise. How had she known he was feeling sick?
    Harriett smiled secretively at him, knowing she had surprised him. She wanted to admit that she had seen the traces of his sickness on his shirt, but wisely remained quiet. If keeping him on guard stopped the growing closeness between them, then she would prefer to remain mysterious.
    Taking a fortifying breath, Hugo looked at the green liquid; the strong scent of mint wafted up at him for a moment before he began to drink. It really didn’t taste that bad; minty, of course, but there was another, slightly sweeter taste beneath it that made it rather pleasant. He had no sooner finished it than the cup was taken out of his hand and replaced by the second cup holding the herbs Harriett had mentioned.
    With a shrug he downed the second drink, tasting th e slightly earthy tones that were quite different to the first drink. He wasn’t sure if the concoction would make him sick or not, but anything that could help ease the fierce pain in his arm would be a bonus. He knew that until the pain eased, it would be impossible to get any more sleep. With his stomach pleasantly full, he blinked sleepily and looked at Harriett when she began to tuck him in.
    Carefully placing a hand over hers, he waited until her eyes met and held his.
    “What else was in there?” he whispered, knowing from the look in her eyes that she had given him something she hadn’t mentioned.
    “ Nothing, I promise,” Harriett whispered back. “It is all right, Hugo trust me.”
    Every instinct Hugo had told him that she had put something in his drink to make him sleep, and he should be extremely angry at her, but staring into her calm, reassuring gaze, he couldn’t be summon the energy to lambast her. He had little choice now; he could feel the slightly warm, foggy sensation begin to roll through him and couldn’t summon the energy to fight it.
    Strangely , his injured arm began to grow blessedly numb, and he felt more relaxed and at