Free Willoughby 03 - A Rogue's Deadly Redemption by Jeannie Ruesch Page B

him made her jump and she snatched back her shaky hand, then lifted it to her toasted face.
    The room felt warm. This was ridiculous. There was nothing sensual about giving a sponge bath to a man who had the current mental faculties of…well, a sponge.
    It was like bathing a child, really.
    “Lady Melrose?”
    Lily snapped her head up. “What?” Mrs. Tandy raised her brows, and Lily sighed. “I am sorry, Mrs. Tandy. I’m just tired.”
    Mrs. Tandy entered the room, bearing another pitcher of water, which she set on the sideboard. “You’ve been by his side for hours. You need a break. That is what I’ve come to tell you.”
    “That I need a break?” Lily asked wryly. When she was snapping at servants, that much was obvious.
    “In a manner of sorts. Your sister is here. She brought some of your things.” A flash of sadness shuttered her features. “Though I wish they’d never left in the first place. It’s… well, if I may say so, it’s not the same without you.”
    Lily picked up the rag and dropped it into the bowl of water. “Mrs. Tandy, you’ve been such a wonderful housekeeper. I wish I could take you with me.”
    “You’re too kind to say that.” Mrs. Tandy moved closer, lifting her hand to shoo Lily out of the room. “Now, go visit with your sister. Mr. Melrose will be here when you return, I don’t imagine any different than he is now.”
    Lily leaned from side to side, feeling the aches in her back and her neck. She reached up to rub the offending muscles. “I believe I will.”
    She was happy Aria had come. Over the years of Aria and Adam’s marriage, Aria had become more of a sister than the words ‘in-law’ accounted for. They’d long since stopped using them. It was just like Aria to bring Lily’s things herself and not send a servant.
    Lily took in a deep breath to still her nerves and smiled. Aria was pregnant, and Lily hoped Aria would share her news. After a lecture about Lily’s decision, no doubt.
    She headed down the stairs and hit the foyer floor. “Aria, thank you so much for bringing some things over. I don’t think—” She stopped as her sister entered the foyer.
    Her other sister. “Cordelia.”
    Cordelia swept closer and gestured toward a large bag that sat on the floor. “Your things. Aria put them together for you. Clothes and of course, some of your books.”
    “And you brought them.” She was stating the obvious, but the reasons behind the obvious weren’t so clear.
    Cordelia shrugged. “Someone had to.”
    “And Aria sent you?” Lily asked, trying to understand what her sister-in-law could have been thinking. She had to know it was the last thing Lily would want.
    Cordelia lifted a shoulder. “Aria wasn’t feeling well. She had everything prepared for a servant to bring, but I thought I would help.” She glanced at the stairs. “What happened?”
    Just like that, Lily knew. Cordelia didn’t care about her. She was here for Robert.
    Lily picked up her bag, found it heavy, and turned to the staircase. “It’s none of your business what happened. Thank you for bringing my things. You may go now.”
    Fury propelled her up the stairs.
    Cordelia had heard that Robert had an accident and thought it was the perfect time to make her presence known?
    She made it to the upper level and without halting, dropped her bag at her door then continued to Robert’s. Mrs. Tandy stood over him, placing towels around to help dry the wetness.
    “That was a quick visit,” she commented.
    “I had no wish to dally.” She squared her shoulders. “I want to get this over with.”
    This time, however, bathing him didn’t give her the same feeling, when it had seemed like it was just the two of them alone in the world, with him dependent on her. Now she looked at him and saw the man who had been a stranger.
    The thought stampeded out any warmth she had felt. Knowing that her sister had stood in her house—well, no, it wasn’t her house any longer.
    Cordelia obviously