A knock interrupted the moment, and the door creaked open to reveal Mrs. Cameron. Her eyes immediately softened when she saw Dorothea awake.
“My lady,” she breathed, stepping into the room. “Thank heavens. The entire household has been beside itself with worry.”
“I’m sorry,” Dorothea said, flushing with guilt. “I didn’t mean to frighten everyone.”
“Oh, pish-posh.” Mrs. Cameron waved a hand. “You’ve done no such thing. Though I should tell you that Sally has been dismissed for her carelessness. She claimed she didn’t realize the damper was closed.”
Dorothea’s brows drew together as she began to sit up. Dominic was at her side in an instant, placing a steadying hand on her back.
“Careful,” he said.
She gave him a grateful glance before turning back to the housekeeper. “I don’t want her dismissed. It was an accident.”
Mrs. Cameron didn’t look convinced. “A rather dangerous one. You could have died.”
“Which is why I think reassignment is fair,” Dorothea said. “She should not be punished so harshly for one mistake.”
Mrs. Cameron hesitated, then sighed. “Very well. You’re too kind for your own good, my lady. But I’ll see to it.”
Dominic reached for a pillow and placed it behind her. “You should rest a while longer.”
Dorothea gave him a mock glare. “I’m not an invalid, you know.”
Instead of arguing, Dominic only smiled. “I know. But even the strongest need time to recover.”
She studied him for a moment, warmed by his attention. It felt nice to have someone fuss over her. Especially him.
“Very well,” she relented, leaning back into the pillows. “But only because you asked so nicely.”
“Mrs. Cameron,” he said, turning towards the housekeeper, “inform Doctor Taylor at once that Lady Warwicke is awake. He’ll want to examine her.”
Mrs. Cameron dipped her head with brisk efficiency. “Yes, my lord,” she said. Without another word, she exited the chamber, her footsteps fading as the door clicked shut behind her.
Silence settled briefly over the room.
Dorothea shifted slightly beneath the blankets, her gaze drifting towards the adjoining door that led back to her own bedchamber. “Should I return to my room now?”
“That would not be wise. Your bedchamber still reeks of smoke. The windows are open, but it needs more time to be properly aired out.”
“Oh,” she said, then looked up at him, uncertain. “Then where am I to sleep?”
“In here.”
Her eyes widened, startled by the suggestion. “With… you?”
Dominic’s mouth twitched, almost—but not quite—a smile. “No,” he replied. “I had one of the guest rooms prepared for me earlier this morning. I’ll be sleeping there for the time being.”
Dorothea hesitated, staring at him. Her heart beat a little faster, her fingers nervously curling against the blanket. Then, with a steadiness she didn’t quite feel, she asked, “Would it be so terrible if we… shared a bedchamber?”
Dominic’s jaw visibly clenched. His eyes dropped from hers, his face tightening with something she couldn’t quite decipher.
“I…” He drew in a breath, as if bracing himself. “It would be, considering I’m seeking?—”
The door opened abruptly, halting his words mid-sentence.
A short man stepped into the room, his blond hair neatly combed and spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose. He carried a well-worn leather bag in one hand.
“Lady Warwicke,” he greeted, crossing the threshold with purposeful steps. “I’m Doctor Taylor. I understand you’ve given everyone quite a scare. How are you feeling?”
