Page 18 of Broken

When she opened her eyes, she faced the foot of the bed on the other side, but there was still no sign of the nurse. Turning her head the remaining distance, she took in the rest of the room and gasped.

There was no nurse in the room. Instead, sprawled out on a chair close to the bed was a ginger-haired Adonis, the most beautiful man Lilly had ever seen—and she had seen a fair bit of this one.

Giles Wexham slept beside her bed, between her and the bare window. For a moment, she was distracted by the unusual sight of the early morning sunrise, but she quickly returned to Giles.

In sleep, the lines around his eyes were softer, the ginger stubble on his jaw longer than she had ever seen it. His hair was disordered, his clothes rumpled, but that was not an unusual appearance for him. She gazed at him in speechless wonder. What was he doing here?

Startlingly blue eyes opened, and she pulled her arm away from Atticus to watch Giles waking from sleep. He was a very beautiful man, but so very wicked. He regarded her in silence, his eyes never leaving hers for the longest time.

Lilly understood why she did not speak. Giles’ presence always rendered her mute, but she knew he liked to talk, especially to women. She had observed Giles, while remaining hidden from society, watching him charm and conquer other women with the ease of one sure of his appeal.

Giles moved slowly, a sleek predator even by day. He drew close to her side, and she had to adjust the angle of her head to keep him in view. Pain lanced through her skull.

When her vision cleared, she found Giles leaning over her, enveloping her in warmth and the scent of clean male. Oh, he was wonderful. Whatever it was he bathed in helped her relax into the mattress once more.

It was a little unnerving to have him so close, though. She was not used to gentlemen, but a buzz of pleasure fizzled through her at his undivided attention. His face slowly creased into a smile so unlike what she was used to seeing. He looked pleased to see her, and she smiled in return.

Lilly saw his eyes dip down to her mouth. Surprise held her still until she wondered how long it had been since she’d scratched at her teeth. She pressed her lips together.

“Hello, Lilly.” Giles spoke her name softly and warmth spread over her limbs.

“Hello, Giles,” she mumbled.

His even, white teeth were as blinding as the light. “It is good to see you awake. I was beginning to worry. Your dreams must have been wonderful to sleep for so long.”

“I don’t remember dreaming.”

He straightened, but didn’t leave her line of sight. “I appear to have lost my dog to you. What sorcery have you over the beast, fair maiden? Atticus has barely left your side in days.”

She did not dare turn her head for fear of causing more pain. “He is a very good dog, Giles. He was kind to me when I was here last.”

“Yes, I heard about that. I apologize for the damage he caused your limbs.”

“He was kind to a child left alone for much of the house party. We had a great deal of fun together. It was my last great adventure.” Lilly slowly reached to touch the dog, sweat breaking out across her face at the effort of keeping silent. “Call the nurse, Giles. I have need of her.”

Giles frowned, erasing the friendly face she had just started to get used to. “I am afraid you are looking at your temporary nurse. The blasted woman up and left your employ in the dead of night. She abandoned you.”

Lilly’s mind whirled. She needed to get out of bed and relieve herself. Giles could not be her nurse. “Call for a maid, or the housekeeper.”

“I cannot do that either. They are busy elsewhere.”

“Oh, no,” Lilly sobbed, struggling to free herself from the heavy blankets, hissing as pain and the ever-present nausea swamped her.

“What the devil are you doing?” Giles gripped her shoulders. She winced as the pressure twisted her body to a position it did not like.

“I need privacy.” Lilly pulled the covers back, but could not suppress a groan as spears of pain stabbed down her limbs.

“Privacy for what, for God’s sake?”

“Just have to…” She could not say it aloud—not to him.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Strong arms scooped her up, holding her close to that calming scent. Lilly closed her eyes over her tears. “Where is it you need to go?”

“The chamber pot,” she whispered, humiliation heating her cheeks.

She had just asked the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on to help with such a personal matter. Could her circumstances sink any lower?

His movements jarred her body. His loud steps assaulted her mind. He eased her downward, but just before touching down, the fabric of her nightgown slid out from beneath her bottom.