Page 55 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

“Yes. That interests me more.”

“Why?”

“Because Giles was careful when he came to us. Rowland is being careless now. If they agreed upon that carelessness, it serves some purpose we have not yet understood. If they did not, Giles will dislike it.”

Nathaniel considered this.

“There may be a division between them.”

“There may be the beginning of one. Let us not widen it until we know where it runs.”

She took his hand more firmly.

“This will hurt.”

“What will?”

“The part you have been avoiding looking at.”

Before he could ask, she worked the point of the needle beneath the splinter.

Nathaniel’s jaw tightened.

“There.”

She held the sliver of wood briefly towards the light before dropping it into the basin.

“You are disturbingly pleased with yourself.”

“I have removed the only part of the stable door which managed to come home with you. I consider that a victory.”

“Where did you learn to do that?”

“Necessity.”

She reached for the linen.

He waited for more. None came.

“Only necessity?”

“Do not become greedy. You have had an innkeeper, a conspiracy and a medical procedure before luncheon.”

Nathaniel gave her his hand again.

She wrapped the linen around his knuckles with practised neatness, drawing it firm without making it tight.

“You are very good at it.”

“I have had occasion to learn.”

He looked at her bent head and thought of all the questions he might once have asked simply because he wanted their answers.

Instead, he said, “Thank you.”

Selina glanced up.

“You are welcome.”