I didn’t move. I didn’t breathe. I just lay huddled under the covers, willing the earth to open up and swallow me. My cheeks were blazing hot, and not just because of my fever. I wanted, truly, to die, and be relieved of this misery.

But then I heard something that quite washed away my embarrassment, something that was enough to make me resurface again.

Lord Windham was laughing at me. If there was one thing I could not tolerate, it being laughed at.

I pushed the covers off again (though keeping them modestly tucked under my chin) and chided him, “How dare you laugh at me! First you have the nerve to – to break into my house -“

“Actually, miss, I did open the door -” Candace tried to interject, but I went on as if I didn’t heed her.

“-And then you have the unsufferable gall to come into my bedroom and laugh at me whilst I lay in my sick bed? For shame, Lord Windham!”

This was enough to still his torrent of laughter, though I could still see the mirth reflected in his eyes.