Ruthless King

“Is she all right?” she asked.

“She’s ill.”

“Ill? How ill? Did you call Doc?”

“Yes, I called that crotchety old bastard,” he grumbled.

“Oh, he’s leaving soon for his holiday, isn’t he?”

“You knew about that?” he asked.

“You didn’t?”

He grumbled to himself. “I suppose I did and I forgot.”

“But you never forget anything.”

Not usually, though.

“He said it’s the flu.”

“Oh, poor Jilly,” Lottie said. “Is Alister looking after her?”

“You know Alister?”

“Of course, he’s Doc’s nephew.”

Regent thought he knew everyone in this city. Or everyone who could impact his family.

“No, I sent him away.”

“What? Why?” Lottie asked.

“I didn’t like him.” Even he could hear how ridiculous he sounded.

“Why?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Then who is looking after Jilly? Does she have any family? Friends?”

“I am.”

There was a beat of silence. Then another one. Finally, Lottie cleared her throat. “Do you know how to do that?”

“It’s not that hard. I just follow Doctor Stanley’s instructions. Make sure she rests, eats, drinks, and doesn’t do too much. Not that she makes it easy. She continues to defy me at every turn.”

“She does?” Lottie asked.

There. She sounded suitably shocked. Because no one defied him.

“Wow. Brave girl.”

Foolish girl.

Sassy girl.

Sweet, gorgeous girl.