Page 21 of Broken

“Aside from the usual places?” Lilly’s rasping voice pained him, and she swallowed and grimaced to prove her discomfort. He nodded, brushing her hair back from burning-hot cheeks, enjoying the touch of his fingertips on her skin even if she was suffering. Her eyes closed again. “My throat hurts, and I have a headache.”

Giles continued to stroke her skin and listened as her breathing settled in time to his strokes. Christ, he could play this woman like a lute if she was well enough. She seemed unusually responsive to him. “Where are the usual places you have pain, Lilly?”

He was curious about her injuries. Hell, he was curious about everything related to her. He stroked her skin until she answered. “Neck, back, arms, and legs. The places that bounced off the rocks the hardest.”

He touched her scarred wrist. “Do these pain you?” He rubbed his fingertips over the rough bite marks.

“They never have that I can remember. Everything else hurt worse.”

A throat cleared, reminding Giles that he had an audience and that he shouldn’t be touching Lilly more than was strictly necessary. Giles truly wished he could stop himself. “What can you recommend, Mrs. Osprey?”

Mrs. Osprey’s eyes fell to Lilly, nodding as she thought over a treatment. “Honeyed tea to soothe her tender throat, cold cloths applied to reduce the fever during the night, and a broth to give strength. If Miss Winter could manage to eat more it would be a blessing,” Mrs. Osprey mused.

“Very proper, Mrs. Osprey. See to it.”

Mrs. Osprey fluttered from the room.

“Dithers have more firewood brought up and another jug of cold water.” Dithers remained. “What is it now man?”

The butler leaned close enough to whisper. “I hope you know what you’re doing with her, milord. You are the last Wexham, if you remember.”

“Yes, obviously,” Giles scowled.

“Don’t get too caught up in playing nursemaid. We do wish to keep you in good health,” Dithers pointed out as he trailed after Mrs. Osprey.

“Dithers has turned into a mother hen,” Lilly murmured behind him. “Instead of the scallywag I expected.”

Giles turned. “You remember my butler?”

“Bits and pieces. The maids were all enamored of his smiles when he was only a footman.”

“You would never guess it to look at him now. Nothing but stern glares for everyone.”

“Even you?”

Giles chuckled. “Especially me. He had a well-earned reputation for breaking hearts as a younger man. More than one lass fell in love with him, but he kept his dignity and never married. I cannot understand why he does not trust me,” Giles confessed, trying to act wounded.

“He does have a point. Under normal circumstances, you would be a dangerous man, indeed. But he quite forgets that it is impossible to seduce someone as ill as I am,” Lilly whispered, voice breaking over some of the words. “I’m not worth the effort.”

Giles arched a brow. Her lack of affectation was refreshing. “And what do you know of seductions, Lilly?”

“More than I care to, Lord Daventry.” She said no more, and closed her eyes again.

Giles watched her closely, fascinated by her sharp breathing and the rise and fall of her breasts.

Ashamed that he thrummed with lust, he hurried to the basin on the dresser and poured tepid water onto a cloth. Lilly needed his care, not his wayward imaginings. At least she had no idea of the thoughts swirling through his head.

He squeezed out most of the water and crossed back to her side, lowering himself to the mattress. As the bed bowed under his weight, he noticed Lilly biting her lip and realized any movement disturbed her comfort.

He dared not move again, and he pressed the wet cloth to her face. Her exhaled breath on the inside of his damp wrist sent a shudder rolling through him.

After the cloth became too warm to provide any comfort, he faced a dilemma. He needed to re-wet it. But when he stood he would certainly disturb her again. He did not want to give her more pain. He glanced over at the door, listening in the hope of approaching assistance.

“I am sorry,” Lilly whispered.

Perplexed, Giles looked down. “Sorry for what?”

“This is not how you usually spend your time, is it, Lord Daventry? I am apologizing for disturbing your peace.” She kept her eyes downcast and Giles was bothered by her retreat into formality. He had grown to like the way she said his name.