Page 29 of Broken

Lilly lifted her chin, gazing at Giles’ serious face, and noticed the shadow of new beard on his chin. She wished she could touch his face to see whether the stubble was as soft as it appeared. But that was no way for a lady to behave. She wasn’t one of his women.

Resentment bubbled through her composure and, hoping to hide her thoughts, she dropped her eyes to his shoulder. Giles could have anyone he cared to claim, but he’d never claim her. She was too weak, too ill to be more than a passing interest to him. An object of pity to be humored.

Reminding herself for the hundredth time that her former intended could do as he pleased with any number of women, she raised her eyes to his. They shone with devilment.

The large hands on her back held her close against his warmth and she blushed anew, confounded by his touch, a caress without the purpose of providing comfort. His hands moved, sliding over her nightgown, and one cupped her bottom, thumb strumming over her skin in a way that was not soothing. All her nerves clamored in a disjointed frenzy.

“Lilly.”

Lilly shook her head, unable to stand being so close to him. He let her go, and the cold of her own rebuttal chilled her. She reached for the support of his arm and moved toward the window once more.

At the window, she leaned on the stone ledge and glanced outside, trying to get her thoughts in order. She focused on the greenery shining in the afternoon sunlight, a fairy landscape where life was wonderful. When she turned her head, her breath caught in her throat.

“I apologize. I should have moved you to another room sooner.” Giles fussed at her side. “I didn’t mean for you to see the bridge again.”

That awful place haunted her dreams. Yet in daylight, the spot seemed idyllic.

“No, it is all right, Giles. You don’t need to move me. I would have to see it again one day. I would have made myself.” Lilly smiled to reassure him, but she did find the view disconcerting. “Can you open the window?”

Giles leaned around her and pushed the window up, then settled his hands on her upper arms. Cocooned as she was, she barely noticed the bite of cool breeze that brushed across her front. Giles’ heat, standing so close behind, warmed her and brought a blush to her cheeks greater than any breeze could conquer.

Lilly leaned out the window, hands sliding into the sunshine’s rays, marveling at the warmth on her fingertips. Giles clutched at her body, one arm curling possessively about her waist, the other crossing her chest, palm flat to her skin.

Ignoring the burst of heat as his arm pressed between her breasts, she turned her hands over, noticing the scars on her wrists and how the veins beneath her flesh stood out so clearly. The sight appalled her.

Giles leaned forward and covered the worst of the scars. “Don’t fret on it.”

“How can I not? They are so ugly. I’m ugly.”

“No you are not. The alternative to bearing the scars is too horrible to contemplate. I am grateful you survived. The scars are simply a reminder that every day of one’s life is precious.” Giles hugged her a little tighter. “Besides, the rest of your perfect proportions make up for the slight flaw.”

Lilly grinned and blushed to match. “Has anyone ever told you that you are a terrible flirt?”

He laughed, his breath stirring over her neck and sending her heart racing. “I do believe that has been brought to my attention before. Should I stop?”

Lilly thought about it for at least a moment. “I imagine after all this time that the habit might be impossible to break.”

“Very likely.” His lips brushed her neck. “I might find it quite a struggle to follow that request while you are near. You seem to bring out the worst of my behavior.”

Giles’ lips nipped at her skin. Pulsing shocks of pleasure curled her toes and she gasped, slipping her hand to cover his.

Giles chuckled, pressing his forehead to her hair and breathing deep. “Forgive me. I seem to have no sense of propriety today.”

And she shouldn’t allow him to hold her like this, but she had a desirable man heaping compliments on her head, turning her body so far away from pain that it was hard to remember who she was. She dared any lady to keep a right mind about her under such attentions.

He held her against him, a gentle rock to his hold keeping her conscious of his presence. She skimmed her hand back and forth along his arm, running her fingers over the back of his hand until he captured her digits with his. Shocked at the genuine affection, breath churning anew, Lilly searched the world outside for distraction.

Cottingstone Manor hadn’t changed much during her illness. It still looked as though the grounds didn’t belong in the real world, and the peace of the place washed over her. She sagged a little, letting the fresh scents fill her lungs and cleanse her soul.

“Can I go outside, Giles?”

“Not dressed as you are, that’s for sure,” he replied very firmly. “I have workmen on the other side of the house at this very minute, and, as much as I might admire the view, I am not keen to share your current attire with a bunch of sweaty laborers.”

His fingers trailed down her chest and she looked down, noticing for the first time that her nipples were visible through the thin material. Startled, she watched Giles’ fingers skim around the plump curve of one breast and then settle, fingers wide, on her belly.

Lilly wrapped her arms tightly around her chest and huddled against the window ledge. Her state of undress did explain Giles’ forward behavior, however.

His hands skimmed her back, lightly kneading away her tension. Despite the impropriety and the transparency of her nightgown, she was still comfortable with Giles. But she must remember to wrap a blanket about her when she left the bed in future.