Gentleman's Guide 02 - His Contrary Bride) (5 page)

Unable to sit still, she added kindling and
logs to the hot embers. Soon a fire was burning which helped take
the early morning chill from the room. Next, she put the extra
dresses in her satchel before taking out her brush. Mr. Parker came
awake and watched her limp back to the chair.

“Why are you limping?”

Startled, Sabina looked over at him just as
she walked into the table, banging her knee. “Ouch.” She muttered
while rubbing her knee as she sat down. “I have a few blisters,
that is all.”

Mr. Parker rose from the bed and walked
toward her. “As well as your knee. I am sorry. That is twice now
you have been injured because I startled you.”

“It is my own fault for not paying better
attention.” Sabrina dismissed his concern.

At least he didn’t argue the point, but sat
on the floor before her. “Let me see your feet.”

She gasped at his suggestion and pulled her
feet back to hide them under her skirt. “No. It is not
necessary.”

Mr. Parker grinned at her. “There is no need
to suffer maidenly modesty. We did share a bed last night.”

Sabrina’s eyes grew wide as her face
colored. Did he know she had slept all over him? She was mortified
at the thought.

“Sabrina, let me see your feet. I promise to
be a gentleman.”

Her face burned hot as he brought her foot
out for his inspection. At least he didn’t know how they had slept
and she certainly wasn’t about to share it with him.

*

When she mentioned a few blisters that was
what Marius expected, not what he saw. On the bottom of each foot,
beneath each big toe was a large blister. One had already broken
open and looked raw and painful. Similar blisters appeared around
each foot where the boots must have rubbed the skin. There was no
way he was going to allow her to put those boots on and she most
definitely would refrain from walking. “I want you to stay off
those feet as much as possible.”

She gave him a lopsided grin. “I had already
decided that for myself.”

He stood and looked down at her. “I’ll see
that breakfast is delivered up here and return shortly.”

After dining, Sabrina bent to retrieve her
stockings and boots. Marius took the boots away and stuffed them
into the satchel. “I am not about to let you wear those today.”

“I can’t very well leave here in my
stockings alone, now can I.”

“Yes, you can and will. In fact, I will
carry you.”

Sabrina’s eyes popped open in shock. “You
can’t do that. What will people think?”

He was not willing to let her win this
argument. “You already pointed out last night that they already
assume what they will, so I don’t see where it really matters.” He
lifted her into his arms.

“Mr. Parker, put me down.”

He stopped at the door. “My name is Marius,”
he told her as he proceeded through the door. “I am through
arguing. Besides, I am somewhat grumpy in the mornings so you
should just let me have my own way.”

*

Sabrina sat quietly and kept her thoughts to
herself as Marius put the horses into motion. His face was tense
and he didn’t look at her once after putting her on the seat. A few
girls from the academy were often grumpy in the morning and she was
used to the disposition, knowing it was better to just let them be
for a while. Yet, Marius hadn’t seemed grumpy when he first woke.
Not until he announced that he was. Apparently, unless confronted,
he kept his foul mood hidden. She decided it was best to just
ignore him until he was in better spirits and turned her eyes to
the road ahead of them.

She couldn’t help but be confused over what
the innkeeper had said, about her not being able to walk or why Mr.
Parker had to punch him in the nose. If only she could have heard
the entire comment, then perhaps she would understand.

Turning, she glanced at Marius and wondered
if he would explain.

He looked at her. An eyebrow was arched in
question.

“Marius, what exactly did the innkeeper
mean?”

His jaw tightened and he looked back at the
road. “Do not ask. It is nothing you need to know and something I
am certainly not going to explain.”

Sabrina was taken aback by his abrupt
response. She would engage him in conversation later, when he was
less irritable.

*

The two rode in silence for nearly an hour
before Marius felt he could speak. It took him that long to cool
his anger from the innkeeper’s crude comments and to get over her
unbelievable question. Soon, guilt over came him for punishing her
with his silence. She didn’t intentionally cause him to lose sleep
last night and it was the innkeeper that made him angry. “Sabrina,
I apologize for my behavior and treatment of you.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. Some
people are just not pleasant in the morning. You did warn me.”

Nobody was this easy going, Marius thought
to himself. “I was rude and it is not your fault. Normally, I am in
better spirits when I wake. That was not my usual disposition.”

She patted his hand in understanding. “It
could be the travel. You have been sleeping in strange beds for a
few nights now and are probably anxious to return home.”

“Yes, that is probably it.” Her explanation
was better than the truth.

“When will we arrive at your friend’s home?”
Sabrina asked in a lighter mood.

“Within the hour. I think you will like
Taylor and Phoebe. They married a year ago last spring and now have
nine-month-old twins.

“Twins,” she responded in an astonished
voice. “Are you sure they won’t mind us coming? I don’t want to be
an imposition to anyone.” She turned her eyes back toward the road
in thought. “Then again, I probably could help her out. It can’t be
easy managing two babies.”

Marius chuckled before he answered her.
“Taylor and Phoebe are the Earl and Countess of Sandlin. Their home
is large enough for two dozen guests, and they probably have more
servants than they know what to do with because nobody ever
retires. Taylor hires younger ones to help the older ones.”

She was silent for some moments and worry
marred her brow. What could possibly be going on in her mind now?
He was too afraid to ask.

“I don’t think you should ask me to stay, or
ask them to have me unless you think they have a position for
me.”

As she had done earlier, Marius patted her
hand. “You have nothing to worry about. I am sure Phoebe will love
the company. She doesn’t get to visit her family as often as she
would like. They will both like you. Trust me.” Marius finished
with a smile.

Sabrina returned a half-hearted smile.

Marius tried to reassure her a few more
times but finally gave up when her apprehension did not disappear.
In fact, it would grow whenever he mentioned Taylor and Phoebe so
he finally lapsed into silence. How could he explain the reception
she would receive, especially after he explained everything he knew
to Taylor?

*

As they pulled in front of the large house,
the door opened immediately and the servant greeted Mr. Parker by
name. This small gesture gave Sabrina some comfort as it appeared
he was a frequent enough guest to be welcomed without question.

Coming around the side of the curricle,
Marius lifted Sabrina from her seat. She was waiting to be set on
the ground when he lifted her higher in his arms and began carrying
her to the house.

“Put me down,” she hissed softly while
hitting his shoulder.

“I will not. Have you forgotten your
injuries?”

“I can certainly walk to the door and greet
your friends on my own two feet.” She struggled against him.

“Hold still. You are not as strong as I, and
I assure you that they will take no offense.” Marius explained as
they entered the foyer.

“Lord and Lady Sandlin are still breaking
their fast, Mr. Parker. I have had you announced.”

“Thank you.” Marius acknowledged the older
servant.

“Please put me down.” Sabrina whispered
urgently in his ear.

Lord Sandlin entered the foyer first and she
recognized him instantly as one of the gentlemen who had been at
the academy a few days earlier.

“Marius, what brings you here? I thought you
had a horse to take care of.” He stopped and studied her for a
moment. “If I may ask, why are you carrying Cinderella?”

Sabrina chuckled at the name, surprised that
he actually remembered her.

Marius ignored Taylor’s question and Lady
Sandlin came around to the side of her husband. “Lord and Lady
Sandlin, may I present Lady Sabrina Chester.” He turned toward
Phoebe. “Do you have a spare room where I may place her? She has
suffered injuries to her feet.”

Sabrina’s face flooded with embarrassment
and she turned and urgently whispered in his ear. “I can walk on my
own and don’t need to be shown to a room.”

Marius only smiled at her before returning
his attention to Lady Sandlin.

“Of course, Marius. Follow me. Does she need
a doctor?”

“No.” Sabrina answered first.

“I’ll leave the decision to you, Phoebe,”
Marius answered.

“My wife would know better than anyone if a
doctor is needed for an injury,” Lord Sandlin offered in a dry tone
as he followed them up the stairs.

Lady Sandlin turned to her husband. “Oh
hush. Lady Sabrina doesn’t even know us and I will not have you
making disparaging remarks about me in front of her.”

Marius turned as well. “Where are you
going?

Taylor was confused at the question. “I
thought to accompany you.”

“I think not. It is one thing for Phoebe to
see the injuries, but not you.”

Lady Sandlin showed them to a lovely room
papered in lavender and cream. The curtains of dark purple were
pulled back to allow sunlight to reflect off the dark, wooden
floor. Marius placed her on the tall bed draped in a purple
coverlet.

Marius turned his back and Sabrina removed
her stockings. Lady Sandlin lifted her feet and began her
examination. “No, she doesn’t need a doctor, but she certainly
doesn’t need to be walking either.” She stood and looked at
Sabrina. “You will just have to stay put until they heal.”

“Lady Sandlin, it is not necessary. As long
as I walk carefully, I am sure I will be fine.” Sabrina
protested.

Before Lady Sandlin could reply, Marius did.
“We have already had this discussion, Sabrina. You will stay
put.”

Sabrina glared at him. “You are assuming
much, Mr. Parker. I just met Lord and Lady Sandlin. You cannot have
me intrude on them this way.”

Phoebe silently watched the exchange.

“I assure you, they will not mind in the
least.” Marius insisted. He turned toward Lady Sandlin, fists
planted on his hips and awaited her response.

“Of course, we don’t mind,” she insisted and
looked over at Sabrina. “Marius has known my husband and brother
for years and knows he can visit anytime and bring guests whenever
he wishes. I just wish this could be a more enjoyable visit for
you.”

“See.” Marius said with a smug look.

Sabrina ignored him. “Thank you for your
hospitality. I don’t expect to remain an invalid for long.”

“It is not a problem.” Lady Sandlin assured
her with a smile. “I wouldn’t count on walking for a least a couple
of days.”

Marius’ smile was triumphant. “I knew you
would know what to do, Phoebe.”

Sabrina wondered why Lady Sandlin would know
this. “Have you studied medicine, Lady Sandlin?”

Both Lady Sandlin and Marius burst out
laughing. It was Lady Sandlin who answered. “No, but I have been
injured enough that I may know as much about injuries as any
physician.”

Sabrina watched them curiously. Why would
they laugh over all her injuries?

“I’ll send a maid to help you get
comfortable.” Lady Sandlin finally offered. “I’ll also send up some
tea and something to eat.”

“Thank you, but I am fine.” Sabrina wasn’t
about to have anyone waiting on her, at least no more than
necessary.

“I’ll decide what is best.” Lady Sandlin
turned to Marius. “This is a novel position for me. I get to order
someone about who can’t get out of bed.” She ended with a smile.
“Would you like something to occupy your time? Do you sew?
Embroidery perhaps?”

“Yes, that would be nice. Is there mending
that you would like done?”

Lady Sandlin made a face. “I won’t have a
guest in my house mending. I hate it enough that I wouldn’t subject
someone else to it.”

Marius stepped forward. “Sabrina, you are a
guest here. Not a servant.”

She sighed deeply. “I only wished to offer
some help since you have put me in their household.”

Before the two could start arguing again,
Lady Sandlin stepped forward. “Would you care to read a book
perhaps?”

Sabrina’s eyes lit up at the idea. How long
had it been since she had read a book for pleasure? She hadn’t even
read one for educational purposes in years. “Yes, a book sounds
wonderful.”

“What would you like to read?”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

With a grin, Marius offered his own
suggestion. “Perhaps something by Charles Perrault.”

While Lady Sandlin chuckled, Sabrina merely
made a face. “I am not exactly interested in fairy tales, Mr.
Parker.”

“Besides, I left that book in London when
Taylor brought me back after the fire.” Lady Sandlin explained.

“Would you like something of a romantic
nature, historical, classical, Shakespeare?” Lady Sandlin
offered.

Sabrina was thrilled at the selection. “It
doesn’t matter. I haven’t had time to read a book in years and
anything would be wonderful.”

“I’ll bring up a selection of our newer
novels for you to choose from.”

The two left and Sabrina watched after them.
Her life had certainly taken some unexpected turns in the last day
or so. What is going to happen next?