Betrothed to the earl

chapter 15

Nicholas immediately called for the doctor as her friends pulled her tightly into their embrace after she drank a very needed cup of water, she felt like she was dying out of hydration. It hurt so bad even more when she felt the headache after drinking, this was a hell lot worse.

She panicked suddenly, ''My ankle! My leg''

Mabel's eyes widen she dragged the blanket that covered her over her ankle, ''It is swollen my god you might've sprained it badly''

''Or broken it'' Felicity continued as they inspected.

Rose was not aware of Celeste and Amelia focusing straightly on her, ''Did he have anything to do with this?'' Celeste dangerous and calm yet frightening tone said

Rose immediately shook her head telling truthfully, ''God no, trust me I fell from his horse, nothing else,'' she rather suddenly felt it hard to imagine that Nicholas would hurt her, he was a cold bloody arrogant bastard but considering his family and everything she saw for the past weeks he seems not to be a person who looses his temper, Amelia was the first one to break the sudden cold silence In the room, ''Why did he take the blame than?''

Rose did hear his voice slightly when he talked with her friends but she did not think he would take a blame he was unaware off, ''I don't know, but believe me he did not cause this''

Mabel nodded and changed the topic thankfully cause the serious tension did not relieve the pain rose was feeling in her body and the throbbing of her head, ''I cant believe im saying this but id rather see you in that matrimony than this'' Celeste suddenly said causing a laughter from her but the door opened and a doctor came in with Nicholas behind him.

''Don't forget to write us'' Mabel gestured for the others to follow her when they sat beside her inspecting Nicholas like an ant, Rose almost laughed but her breath knocked back at her when she saw him, he looked awfully tired , one could think he looks even worse than her. It seemed like he did not shave and his dark circles formed, though it should make him look worse it made him look even more attractive, suddenly Rose realized how she is staring like a fool and haven't realized her friends trailed away from the room.

Nicholas walked over to her and startled her when his hands touched her ankle, ''Does it hurt?'' He asked carefully as rose answer with a wince, the doctor suddenly touched her head

''Good you did very well'' He told the earl making Rose curious of what he meant by complementing Nicholas, ''She did not bleed as much as yesterday'' Nicholas answered back and rose could not believed what she heard.

As the inspecting of her body was done she breathed out of relief once Nicholas walked the doctor out the door but her relief was short as he closed the door and was in the room. She closed her eyes thinking fake sleeping has always helped her in the past.

Nicholas only brought a tool of water before striding towards her, Rose eyes widen when she felt something cold on her ankle. She shrieked away making his fingers hold her upper leg sending a shiver through her spine, she gulped nervously as his head was lowered on her ankle, ''don't move'' he said firmly and rose for once listened.

The earl showed no emotion through out it all not even when he was done with the wet tool on her ankle, but when their eyes locked he lost it, ''Your alive.. your alive'' he told himself repeating

Rose thought if he went mad, ''Why would I not be alive?'' she asked like nothing happened at all. Nick snapped his gaze at her, ''This seems like a joke to you? To make people go insane out of worry? What did you accomplish with that foolish act, did you think for a second that---'' She cut his nagging off

''Brute'' Rose mocked making Nicholas narrow his eyes at her, ''You little wicked minx are still playing with me when you shall beg for mercy''

Rose heart beat at a weird pace hearing him call her minx it was something a lady should've never be called, ''Now werent you just a moment ago saying it was your fault?'' she smartly said as Nicholas gazed at her silently not being aware of her words, she is here, breathing his nightmares came finally to an end.

''Silence'' was all he said before he caressed the wet fabric over her forehead, she was burning with fever. Rose watched him watch her and something squeezed her chest at that, gone were the cold eyes, gone where the anger, something far more dangerous took over. Rose held his wrist, ''that's enough, I better go back to my room—'' Rose fumbled with her words wanting to leave any second.

She couldn't have him take care of her, care for her. ''You are not going anywhere, for you to even suggest that after—after what happened'' He tried controlling his temper, but the woman is impossible!

Rose shook her head, ''I won't have you helping me,''

Nicholas clenched his jaw holding her stubborn gaze, ''I have seen you in far worse state, its late with appropriate manners already''

Hearing that made Rose cheeks burn, it was true after all the lake and seeing her almost fully naked in the bath tells more about her than now, Rose cleared her throat, ''I was not aware at that time''

He did not bother answering her as he started reaching for her chemise wanting to inspect further if her ribs was alright but Rose gripped his hands tightly, ''I won't be manhandled like this! I have already told you—'' Nicholas cut her words off crushing his lips on hers, something that he badly wanted to do.

Rose shut her lips as his brushed over her in such a careful way, his hands cupping her face like she's a fragile glass that will break any second, his locks fell over her closed eyes as he continued depending the kiss. 

This kiss was nothing like the first, it was sweet and slow so slow that it messed up with her mind of either pushing him away or pulling him towards her, she held his shirt adorably with her fingers in a tight grip, whenever she thought he would stop he only slanted his mouth over and over again, all her feminists protesting in her mind vanished. When it seemed like he could gain his control he tore his lips from her roughly leaving her in bewilderment. Their gazes locked without any words being said, Rose felt naked totally naked as his eyes bore through her soul, ''You could've died, are you aware? I could've lost—'' he choked shaking his head and pulled her to his embrace

Warmth took over her brief moment of shock, he hugged her.. and when no suffocating came thinking it was his way of killing her Rose sank into hi,

''don't ask me to leave you alone, from this day I shall be everywhere you are'' He told while laying his head at the crook of her neck, ''You mean to tell me I cant have my breathing space? That I shall be held in a leech? Oh I wont stand—'' Rose felt a sudden furry as she pushed his chest with her fists even though he tried holding her down.

Nicholas cursed himself when she shall rest he brought anger to the table, but god if he could not stop the words ''Rose, you are In no position to quarrel let's take it tomorrow I will bring a maid---''

Rose had none of it, ''Fine, do whatever you like since I never have a word in it why shall it matter now?'' she slumped back on the bed and hid her face from his sight, why shall it matter when I shall have my escape Rose thought silently.

Nicholas sighed wanting to start over with his words, ''I'm sorry for talking to you this way when I should've let you rest, forgive me''

Rose answered him quickly like his words had no meaning, ''Your apologies is taken''

The earl stood up holding the urge to sink intothe bed with her and just leave all his responsibilities, but she was alive andthat was all that mattered.