Page 26 of Broken

Lilly looked at him for the first time with something other than good feeling, and he just shook his head at her and laughed.

“I never knew you were domineering.”

Giles smiled. “Do you think you know everything about me, then?”

“I was told what to expect.”

Giles blinked. “Did my mother instruct you?” He sank down onto the edge of the bed and clasped her hand in his. Finally, they might discuss their aborted union, and then the subject could be put away forever.

“She sent me lists of your favorite things to memorize. I have to say, you have a remarkable sweet tooth.”

“I’ve always thought that the best of life is saved till late at night. Sweet pleasures can be better appreciated and savored by candlelight.”

Lilly scowled. “You are no longer talking about desserts, are you?”

Giles chuckled that she saw through him already. “What else could I possibly mean?”

She didn’t answer. He let go of her hand and crossed to the drapes, prepared to part them. He shouldn’t have teased Lilly, but she had the advantage over him; he only had his slick silver tongue to tease her with. She apparently had an arsenal of parental confidences.

Remembering Lilly’s aversion to light, he only opened half—just enough to illuminate the room for the servants’ duties, but not enough to blind her by accident.

Lilly was blinking rapidly when he turned, but she appeared to become used to the increase in light.

“You should eat as much as you can at every meal,” he said. “You do want to get up out of that bed at some point, don’t you?”

Truth be told, Giles had no idea what Lilly felt about her confinement. Given their success of last night, he was busy plotting her future outside of this chamber, and it certainly did not involve one-way travel to Wales.

The life her father planned for her was unacceptable.

Lilly rose up. “Of course I want to get out of this bed. Do you think I like being dependent on everyone?”

Giles crossed his arms over his chest. “I know that I would not. I just do not know if you are the kind of woman who enjoys being waited upon.”

It was a deliberate goad. Lilly bristled, but held back a smile. Oh, yes, Lilly had fire. Now that the potions were clear of her system, he intended to keep her this way. He did not contemplate how he could achieve such a feat when she left the manor, but he would do all that he was able while she remained under his roof.

“Your mother should have added tyrant to the list.”

He took his leave with an exaggerated bow and stalked from the room, suddenly troubled with her situation. He didn’t want her to be unhappy, but he was fairly certain that she would be if Lord Winter had his way.

In his chambers, he ordered a bath and then ate a hearty breakfast before heading out of the house to check on the work of the day. He was still outside when Dithers found him a few hours later and informed him that Lilly had eaten well but was resting again. That did not surprise him. She was terribly weak. Regaining her strength would take time.

Dithers tugged on his dark waistcoat and looked about him with pride. “What you did last night, milord. It was the right choice to make. She looks so much better for it. How did you know what to do?”

Giles sighed. He should have known his butler was watching his every move. “Her muscles were as stiff as one of Cook’s cutting boards. I merely softened her a bit.”

“You may have to do it again. I didn’t think she was quite so comfortable the last time I took in firewood. She might be in pain again.” Dithers clearly enjoyed making inappropriate plans for Giles’ evening.

“Yes, it is more than possible. She probably will not say a word about it, though.” Giles glanced up at Lilly’s window, wishing to catch a glimpse of her. “Will you arrange for a bath for her this afternoon after she wakes? Have all the maids attend her. She will need assistance with her hair, I should think.”

“Are you sure that is wise, milord? The girls are not particularly strong. What if they need assistance lifting her? Do you want me to go in, or send one of the Davis boys?”

Giles growled at the thought of one of his male servants anywhere near a naked Lilly, but what Dithers suggested was outrageous. Giles should not be in the same room as a naked and wet Lilly. Did they want him married faster than he could blink?

The answer, of course, was yes. Both his butler and housekeeper had dropped enough hints that he shouldn’t be surprised by their intentions. Heaven spare him from matchmaking servants.

He tried to think of another way of accomplishing the task and failed. Now that he thought about it, she might need his support.

Hell.