Page 27 of Stolen By the Duke of Stone

Jessamine only managed to sleep a handful of hours before the demands of the day—and her worry about William—dragged her up again.

When she made her way to the nursery again, however, she found William asleep, recently fed and snuffling softly as he slept.

Relief crashed over her. Having his fever seem to break a few hours ago had been one thing, but seeing proof that he was no longer suffering—and knowing that he had been perfectly fine even when she hadn’t been with him—was a weight off her shoulders.

A knock came at the door just as she had pulled up a chair to sit by William’s bedside.

“The physician has arrived,” Foxwell said, opening the door.

And indeed, the physician, a spare man with deep-set dark eyes, entered the room. He brought with him an aura of calm and self-possession that calmed the immediate pounding of Jessamine’s heart.

Behind him, Andrew entered the room.

Jessamine immediately looked at her feet. She felt as though she were flushing all over, from the crown of her head to the very tips of her toes. His expression, in the glimpse she’d had of it, was just as stern as ordinarily, but all Jessamine could think about was the feel of his mouth against hers.

When she’d awoken, her first thought had been of William, but in the time that had passed since, new memories assailed her. Andrew’s hands on her back, kneading the muscle. The way he had touched her, both respectfully and needfully.

The physician bowed to her. “My name is Mr. Wilford, and I specialize in infants and children’s health. If I may, I would like to examine Master William.”

Jessamine wondered if Andrew had requested Mr. Wilford ask her for permission. After all, Andrew was perfectly capable of giving permission, and indeed he seemed eager to give instructions to all and sundry.

If that were the case, she felt gratitude tighten her chest.

Andrew still did not look directly at her.

“Yes, of course,” she said, rising. “I should be very grateful.” She ran through his symptoms and the things they had done the previous night to calm him.

“Very good,” Mr. Wilford said as he bent over William, listening carefully to his pulse. “It seems as though you did everything right. I commend you both.”

“Thank you.” Jessamine chanced another glance at Andrew and found him watching her.

At her attention, he moved his gaze away again, the gesture deliberate rather than instinctual. As though it were not a knee-jerk reaction at seeing her, but an intentional movement to indicate his lack of interest in interaction.

What had the kiss meant to him? She hadn’t expected a kiss at all—the fact he’d kissed her had come as a surprise. And yet it had not been wholly unwelcome.

She flushed again and did her best to focus on William.

“His temperature is down,” Mr. Wilford said. “And he is sleeping peacefully. His heart rate seems settled, though still a trifle elevated. With a little sleep and careful watch, I expect him to make a full recovery. He seems a healthy child.”

“Oh, thank heavens.” Jessamine sank into a chair. “I had hoped, when his fever broke, I had hoped he would… But are you certain?”

“I am,” Mr. Wilford said, smiling. “He seems as though he is doing well, and I hope this comes as a relief to you both. Your quick actions saved him from any more permanent harm. When he awakes, he will be as he always is, I am sure.”

“Thank you,” Andrew said, his voice as warm as Jessamine had heard of it. “Please, see Foxwell on your way out, and he will arrange generous compensation for coming here so quickly.”

“Of course. My thanks, Your Grace.” Mr. Wilford bowed and left the room.

The nursemaid accompanied him downstairs, leaving Jessamine and Andrew alone.

She longed to ask about the kiss, but Andrew was staring into the crib with a tight expression, his brows drawn and his mouth tight.

“Will you be perfectly well?” he asked abruptly. “With William, that is.”

“Yes, of course, if he’s all but recovered.”

“Good.” Andrew nodded, tucking his hands behind his back. The silence felt thick between them. His gaze alighted on her, dropped to her mouth, then away. The line between his brows deepened. “I will be in my study if you require anything else.”

Well, that answered the question of whether he intended to address what had passed between them.