Free A Code of the Heart (The Code Breakers Series Book 3) by Jacki Delecki Page A

Edward’s face. “You were talking to her in the middle of the bowl?”
    Brinsley nodded. He gently pushed her hair away to assess the damage. The cut wasn’t deep, but head wounds always bleed profusely. Her pale skin made the crimson blood look more ominous. He took out his handkerchief and pressed it to the laceration.
    “Edward, go. Alert Lady Gwyneth. We’ll need a doctor.” His voice echoed in his ears.
    He lifted Amelia into his arms, holding her soft body tight against his chest. It was all his fault. If he hadn’t been distracting her, she would’ve seen the ball coming.
    His emotions were a lethal mix of regret and tenderness.
    “I’m sorry,” he whispered as he carried her to the house.
    He stared down at her white face. Her thick lashes shadowed her cheeks. Her loosened hair, the color of fire, hung over his arms.
    The motion of his brisk pace jarred Amelia. She stirred in his arms then opened her eyes and stared at him.
    “Amelia?”
    She touched her cold hand to his face. “Why did you fight?”
    Her touch was gentle and tentative, but the slight caress went deep into his body and into his empty soul. “What?”
    She had been knocked out, her head was bleeding, and she wanted to know about his fight. “Amelia, do you remember that you got hit in the head with the cricket ball?”
    “Edward must be getting better. I didn’t see it coming.”
    Remorse and guilt weighed heavily upon him. “I distracted you.”
    She searched his face. “Why would you do that?”
    “I’m so sorry. I’ll never forgive myself. Do you have a headache?”
    “A little bit. Not the worst cricket injury I’ve had.”
    He climbed the steps from the garden to the terrace as Lady Gwyneth rushed out of the French doors. “Amelia. Are you hurt?”
    Amelia turned her head. “I’m fine, Gwyneth.”
    Lady Gwyneth took Amelia’s hand into her own. “Thank God, you’re awake. Edward said you were unconscious.”
    “She was knocked out for a moment, and she’s got a nasty cut on her head. Did you send for the doctor?”
    “You’re so pale,” Lady Gwyneth said.
    “I’m always pale.” Amelia chuckled. “A red-head’s blight.”
    “How can you joke at a time like this?” Lady Gwyneth asked. “Your hands are like ice.”
    “I’ll be fine once someone attends to my cut. And I’m sure I can walk.” She looked up at Brinsley. “You can put me down now.”
    “You’re not walking up all those stairs.” Lady Gwyneth pulled her hand back and said in an imperious voice, “Follow me.” She led them down the hallway to the stairwell. “We’ll take her to my bedroom.”
    The butler rushed up to them. “Miss Amelia, I’m glad to see you awake. Mrs. Brompton is assembling supplies to take care of your wound.”
    “Thank you, Brompton. I’m sorry to be a problem for you and the Mrs.”
    “You’re never a problem, Miss Amelia.” The butler bowed.
    “Brompton, where is Edward?” Lady Gwyneth asked.
    “Lady Rathbourne is with him. He is quite shaken by the accident.”
    Amelia reached out and put her hand on Gwyneth’s arm. “I need to tell him it wasn’t his fault. I wasn’t looking.”
    “You weren’t looking? That doesn’t sound like you.” Lady Gwyneth raised her eyebrows and looked directly at Brinsley.
    “It was entirely my fault. I spoke to Miss Amelia during the bowl,” he said.
    Lady Gwyneth’s eyes narrowed in speculation. “Mmm…”
    He felt burning on the top of his ears. He hadn’t blushed since he was a child.
    Lady Gwyneth patted Amelia’s arm. “You can tell Edward after we’ve cleaned your wound. Right now, you’d scare the poor child. You’re a mess.”
    Amelia and Lady Gwyneth giggled.
    Brinsley couldn’t share their mirth. He hated feeling helpless and guilty.
    “Thank you, Brompton,” Lady Gwyneth said. “Right this way, Lord Brinsley.”

Chapter Eight

    As Amelia leaned back against the pillow, her head ached and the bandage felt too tight. Surprisingly she was in