Her eyes narrowed. “Ye enjoy giving orders far too much.”
“Aye,” he said, pressing the teacup into her hand. “I do very much.Drink.”
Violet stared at the cup he had placed in her hand. The steam carried the bitter smell of the angelica up to her face, and her stomach tightened before she touched it.
“Ye may leave now,” she said.
Connor looked from the cup to the tub near the hearth, then back to her. “Can ye stand without swaying?”
“That isnae the point.”
“It is the only point I care about at present.”
“I amnaeundressing with ye watching.”
“Then I willnae watch.” The answer came so simply that she had no reply ready.
He crossed to the bed, took one of the folded linens, and shook it open to check the size. His face remained stern, his movements quick and clear like a freshwater lake, and for some reason, that made it worse.
Teasing would have given her something to fight. This gave her no place to put her temper.
“This is a tavern room,” she said.
“Aye.”
“With a poor excuse for a screen.”
“I can close me eyes.”
He removed his coat and draped it over the narrow screen near the tub, adding one more layer between her and the rest of the room. The gesture was small, but then it was also enough to make her fingers curl into her skirt.
Connor took the teacup from her hand and turned his back. “Take off yer gown.”
Violet’s face heated. “Ye could say that with less command, ye ken.Pretendye daenae like commanding me.”
“I could. But then it would takelonger.”
Violet rolled his eyes. “I am beginning to prefer ye silent.”
He shrugged. “I’ll consider it after ye stop shaking.”
She looked down at her hands. The tremors worsened once she saw them. She pushed herself to her feet, and the floor tilted beneath her just enough to make her catch the chair. Connor half-turned at the sound.
“Daenae look,” she snapped.
He stopped at once. Then his head turned back toward the wall. “Just let me ken if ye’re about to fall.”
“I willnae fall.”
“Violet.”
“I am loosening the gown,” she said through gritted teeth.
The laces gave her more trouble than they should have. Her fingers slipped twice. Pride kept her silent the first time. The second time, she made a low sound of frustration.
Connor did not turn. “Do ye need help?”
“Nay.”
