Free Captivated by the Viscount (The Captivating Debutantes Series Book 1) by Emily Windsor Page A

turning onto her side. She grimaced and turned back. Jasper
realised she must have lain on the bruised side. He felt fury well up again at
her mistreatment.
    When she
turned again her shift strap fell off one shoulder and he was treated to a
rather lovely view of her white skin. He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t
help but run a hand down her neck and then onto her shoulder, she felt silky
and delicate. He frowned though as he saw the edges of the bruising on her
arms. He pulled the sleeve down slightly and grimaced as he saw the livid
yellowing of the marks. He knew some men were just plain evil but what had
happened to Richard Lazenby to make him do this.
    When Jasper
had been courting Lucy he’d considered her brother to be devious and sly but he
never imagined him violent. Jasper thought himself an astute judge of character,
he never would have involved Lucy if he had thought she could come to harm.
God, originally he’d been planning to send her back to Richard ruined – what
would the man have done to her? Jasper sighed and shook his head. He
regretfully replaced Lucy’s sleeve and picked up his book.
    ►▼◄
    Lucy awoke
with a horrible thirst and an even more horrible taste in her mouth. She lay
motionless and wondered why she always woke up feeling awful lately. Has she
partaken of too much brandy again? No she didn’t think so, her head didn’t hurt
that much but her throat did. A chill. That’s what it felt like. She opened her
eyes and thankfully, although bright, the chamber felt normal.
     As normal as
could be when cherubs were smiling down inanely at you.
    She moved her
head to the left and was thankful when the chamber stayed as it should. Jasper
was in a chair reading. Goodness. Lucy closed her eyes and opened them again. Yes
he was still there. He looked delicious, good enough to eat, all bronzed
like…cake. Her stomach rumbled rather loudly. Maybe he was a mirage and she was
just immensely hungry, but the mirage looked over and smiled.
    “You’re
awake, how do you feel?” He leaned over.
    Lucy didn’t
particularly want to open her mouth. It felt horrible enough for her, let alone
breathing it over Jasper
    “Thirsty,”
she managed, mumbling the words.
    He poured
some water, helped her sit up and then brought the water to her lips. She
gulped it in greedy mouthfuls.
    “Slowly,
slowly, or you’ll be sick.” He was right, and her stomach seemed to agree as it
made gurgling noises. Lucy blushed in embarrassment. “Hungry?” Jasper smiled at
her. Lucy nodded, the water hadn’t improved the taste in her mouth, just
diluted it.
    “I’ll get the
maid to bring something up and help you to eat. It’s two in the afternoon and I
need something to eat as well. I’ll go and partake now. Perhaps if you are
feeling better you can join me for dinner?”
    Lucy nodded
again. Jasper frowned. “Does your throat hurt Lucy?” She nodded again. “Don’t
come down to dinner unless you feel well enough, yes?”
    Lucy nodded
some more. He leant over and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead. It was
meant as a gentle soothing kiss but his lips lingered and Lucy felt heat flood
her limbs.
    After a lunch
of broth, cheese and fruit Lucy felt much more the thing. Another nap, although
she wasn’t sure a rest of nearly three hours could be considered a ‘nap’ and
there was only the sore throat that lingered.
    With the
maid’s help she readied herself for dinner. The maid grumbled about another
bath being drawn so soon but Lucy was grateful to Jasper. She used plenty of
tooth powder and dressed in another of the beautiful evening gowns. Lucy didn’t
normally like pink, but this was a deep rose colour with a white trim. The
colour made her skin gleam.
    Lucy wanted
to look her best as she needed a little courage tonight. She knew what she
wanted to say to Jasper and she was sure he would understand.
    He was
already in the drawing room when she went in. He was looking very debonair this
evening in a