Chapter 59
Audrey’s POV:
My cheeks burned. How long had he been standing there? How much had he heard?
Finley recovered first, extending his hand. “Finley Blackwood. I’m-”
“The owner of Blackwood Gallery in London,” Caspar finished, accepting the handshake. “Your reputation precedes you.”
I found my voice, desperate to change the subject.
“Caspar? What are you doing here?” I asked nervously, glancing around. “Is Noah with you?‘
Caspar shook his head, his expression relaxing slightly. “Noah’s already asleep. Edward is with him.”
He glanced at our little group, turning to Clara and Finley. “Would you mind if I joined you?”
“Not at all,” Clara chirped, suddenly animated. “Please, join us.”
Oh god, no. Please no.
But it was too late. Caspar was already sliding into the booth beside me, his shoulder brushing mine.
I inched away slightly, my mind racing with horrified thoughts about what gossip he might have overheard.
“Well,” Finley said, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen over our table.
His arm casually draped around my shoulders as he offered Caspar a charming smile. “I haven’t had the chance to thank you properly yet, Mr. Thornton.”
Caspar’s eyebrow arched. “Thank me?”
“For taking care of our Audrey here,” Finley squeezed my shoulder affectionately. “She can be quite a headache.”
I noticed the shift in Caspar’s eyes as they tracked Finley’s hand on my shoulder. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
“It’s the least I could do,” Caspar replied smoothly, his eyes never leaving Finley’s hand on my shoulder. “After all, Audrey and I have already been…
intimately acquainted. One night in London was all it took, wasn’t it, Audrey?”
The table fell silent. Clara’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. Finley’s arm stiffened around me. I felt my face burn with mortification.
“Caspar,” I hissed, standing abruptly and nearly knocking over my drink. “Can I talk to you outside for a moment?”
Without waiting for his response, I grabbed his arm and practically dragged him from the booth, flashing an apologetic smile at my stunned friends. “Sorry, I
need to handle something. Take your time and enjoy the drink.”
Outside on the sidewalk, the cool evening air did nothing to calm my fury. “What was that?” I hissed, spinning to face him.
“What was what?‘ Caspar asked, maddeningly calm.
1/3
Chapter 59
“That… that innuendo about Landon! Why would you say something like that?”
He shrugged, hands back in his pockets. “I’m just stating the facts.
“That’s not the point! I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.
“Are you ashamed?” he interrupted, his eyes suddenly intense. Is the thought of being associated with me so repulsive?”
The question caught me off guard.
I opened my mouth, then closed it again, words failing me completely.
“It’s getting late,‘ I finally muttered, looking away from his penetrating gaze. I should head home and get some rest.”
I turned to leave, but Caspar caught my wrist.
My patience snapped. Today had already been a nightmare before he showed up and made it worse.
I yanked my hand free with more force than necessary.
“Release!” I said coldly, storming away.
I’d only taken a few steps when I heard a heavy thud behind me.
Spinning around, I saw Caspar collapsed on the sidewalk, his face alarmingly pale.
“Caspar!” I rushed back to him, panic replacing anger.
The door of a black sedan parked across the street flew open, and James jumped out, rushing toward us.
He knelt beside Caspar, his normally composed face creased with worry.
“It’s happening again,” he said grimly, loosening Caspar’s tie.
“Could you stay with him for a moment, Ms. Lane? I need to bring the car around.”
“What’s wrong with him?” I asked, fear making my voice sharper than intended. “Is it serious?”
James hesitated, looking uncomfortable. “It’s… complicated. You can ask Edward for details when we get back to the estate, or Mr. Thornton himself when
he’s recovered.”
He stood quickly. “I’ll only be a minute.”
As James hurried toward the car, I crouched beside Caspar, supporting his weight.
Caspar’s face had gone alarmingly pale, a sheen of sweat breaking out across his forehead. His breathing was shallow, and he seemed somewhat dazed.
“Are you ashamed?” he whispered, his voice strained. “Of what happened… between us?”
‘Are you serious right now?” I snapped, disbelief coloring my voice.
2/3
10:27 pm GPP P
Chapter 59
Even now? He’s asking this now?
His fingers weakly gripped my wrist, his gaze unwavering. “Answer me.”
‘Fine!‘ I said, rolling my eyes despite the seriousness of the situation,
“No, Caspar, I’m not ashamed. I’m absolutely thrilled! Very proud! It was the highlight of my year! Is that what you want to hear? Now will you please focus
on not dying?”
Something in his expression softened at my words.
Despite his pallor and obvious discomfort, the tension around his eyes eased slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched upward in the ghost of a smile.
The black sedan pulled up to the curb, and James rushed back to us.
Together, we managed to help Caspar to his feet and into the back seat of the car.
“Here, James said, rummaging through the glove compartment and producing a small pill bottle.
He handed it to me along with a water bottle. “Could you help him take these? Two pills.”
I nodded, fumbling with the childproof cap before shaking two small white pills into my palm.
Caspar’s head was resting against the seat, his eyes half–closed.
As I pressed the pills to his mouth, his lips brushed against my fingertips like a whispered kiss.
I jerked my hand back instinctively, as if I’d touched a live wire.
A strange flutter moved through my chest.
I quickly suppressed whatever inappropriate emotion that was trying to surface. This man was ill and needed help–nothing more, nothing less.
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and held the water bottle to his lips.
“Drink,” I instructed, my voice deliberately neutral.
He swallowed the pills with a small sip of water I held to his mouth.
Within minutes, some color returned to his face, but his eyes became increasingly unfocused, like he was drifting between consciousness and sleep.
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2/2
Chapter 59
Even now? He’s asking this now?
His fingers weakly gripped my wrist, his gaze unwavering. “Answer me.”
*Fine! I said, rolling my eyes despite the seriousness of the situation.
“No, Caspar, I’m not ashamed. I’m absolutely thrilled! Very proud! It was the highlight of my year! Is that what you want to hear? Now will you please focus on not dying?
Something in his expression softened at my words.
Despite his pallor and obvious discomfort, the tension around his eyes eased slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched upward in the ghost of a smile.
The black sedan pulled up to the curb, and James rushed back to us.
Together, we managed to help Caspar to his feet and into the back seat of the car.
“Here, James said, rummaging through the glove compartment and producing a small pill bottle.
He handed it to me along with a water bottle. “Could you help him take these? Two pills.”
I nodded, fumbling with the childproof cap before shaking two small white pills into my palm.
Caspar’s head was resting against the seat, his eyes half–closed.
As I pressed the pills to his mouth, his lips brushed against my fingertips like a whispered kiss.
I jerked my hand back instinctively, as if I’d touched a live wire.
A strange flutter moved through my chest.
I quickly suppressed whatever inappropriate emotion that was trying to surface. This man was ill and needed help–nothing more, nothing less.
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and held the water bottle to his lips.
“Drink,” I instructed, my voice deliberately neutral.
He swallowed the pills with a small sip of water I held to his mouth.
Within minutes, some color returned to his face, but his eyes became increasingly unfocused, like he was drifting between consciousness and sleep.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
