Male. She shuddered and suddenly those fierce eyes were fastened on her face. He stared at her intently for a moment before shifting his gaze to Robert, who had reached the landing at the top of the stairs.
A moment later Robert opened the third door on the left and preceded them into a chamber. “You remember this room, Mademoiselle? You always liked a room overlooking my garden.”
Yes. She dimly recalled the wall hangings and bedcovers of blue watered silk with lilac and silver borders, the Sèvres plaque on the wall. She had sat for hours on that window seat, watching Robert work in the garden.
“Dieu, it smells musty in here.” Juliette crossed the room and threw open the casement window.
“The house has been closed for over a year,” Robert said defensively. “You gave us no warning. You can’t expect it to—”
“I’ll need warm water and clean linen, something for us both to sleep in and wear tomorrow. Anything will do,” Juliette interrupted. “Are there any other servants in the house?”
“My wife, Marie. She’s still in bed and—”
“I can’t do everything myself for Mademoiselle Catherine.” Juliette strode toward the door. “Come, we’ll roust your wife from her bed.”
Juliette was ordering everyone about again, Catherine realized dimly. Poor Robert, she should really say something to Juliette.
“Why are you just standing there holding her?” Juliette tossed over her shoulder at François. “Put her down on the bed.” She didn’t wait for an answer as she marched from the chamber.
François muttered something under his breath as he strode toward the bed.
“Don’t be angry with her. It’s her way,” Catherine whispered as he laid her on the silken coverlet.
“A virago’s way.”
“No, she means well.” Why was she defending Juliette? What did it matter what this stranger thought? She closed her eyes and tried to go back into the comforting, mindless haze she had managed to gather about her in the coach.
She thought the young man had gone away, until he suddenly broke the silence. “You look like a corpse.”
She opened her eyes to see him gazing down at her.“Pardon?”
“You lay there like a dead woman. The pain will go away. Woman is made to take a man into her body. You will heal.”
Catherine shook her head. She would heal but she’d never be as she was. She would always carry this sickening stain. “You’re wrong.”
“No, I’m right. Don’t be foolish. The fault was notyours and you have no reason to feel shame. Inside you’re the same. What you are has nothing to do with your body.”
She gazed at him in bewilderment. His words carried the same soft vehemence that had swayed her downstairs.
“Do you hear me? You’re just the same. Nothing has been taken from you that’s of any importance.”
“Why are you shouting at her?” Juliette came back into the room carrying a basin of water and clean cloths. “Have you no sense? She’s had enough to endure without you bothering her.”
“I wasn’t shouting.”
Juliette sat down on the bed beside Catherine. “Go away. I have to wash her and get her to bed. Wait for me downstairs.”
François gave her a level glance before he turned and left the room.
She shouldn’t be lying here letting Juliette take care of her, Catherine thought. Dark circles ringed Juliette’s eyes and her hands were shaking as she dropped a cloth into the basin of water. Juliette was clearly exhausted and the horror of this night had taken its toll on her strength. Catherine reached for the cloth. “I can do it.”
Juliette slapped her hand aside. “Lie still.” She closed her lids tightly for an instant and then opened them to reveal tear-bright eyes. “Mother of God, I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m the one who should be sorry,” Catherine whispered. “I’m being such a bother to you. I’ll try to help—”
“Hush.” Juliette smiled shakily. “You can help me by not fighting over the little I can do for you. I don’t seem to have much strength to argue.”
A phantom of a smile touched Catherine’s lips. “How unusual. I never thought I’d hear you say that.”
