Page 90 of Broken

She kept her eyes on Giles and his head lifted and his gaze met hers. Lilly blushed, wondering if Giles had heard her ordering his servants about. He should at least be angry about the damage her family had caused him. But no, here he was, giving her a cheeky grin, as if he was not just gesturing to charred timbers a moment ago. She did not understand his calmness today. His study was a mess, or what was left of it was.

Lilly headed for the stairs and a much-needed rest. She got as far as the bottom step before Giles caught up with her. “Are you off to lie down?”

She nodded and he lifted her into his arms, flowed up the long flight of stairs without any jarring, then set Lilly lightly on her feet. She waited for his kiss and was surprised when he stepped away.

“Enjoy your rest, Ghost.”

He left her standing with her mouth hanging open. She waited for him to come back and kiss her but he continued down the stairs with a cheery wave. He gave her a courtly bow from the base of the stairs before disappearing from view.

Why now of all times did he have to be proper? Such behavior was all wrong for him. At every turn, Giles broke the rules. It amused him to misbehave, she thought. A proper Giles, obeying the dictates of good society, was out of her experience.

Uneasy, she rubbed her hands up and down her arms. Now the danger had passed there was no need to marry Giles. She was still innocent, and if she went to live in Wales he would be free to pursue his normal life of balls and dalliance.

If she did not marry him she’d have a lifetime without his touch.

Dithers and Mrs. Osprey were arguing farther along the corridor. Dithers’ voice sounded dreadful, and Mrs. Osprey kept reminding him that he should be resting rather than telling everyone what to do.

Lilly had to agree with her, Dithers would only cause more damage by speaking. They were such an odd pair. Him so tall and handsome, her so plain. Yet there were times when she caught Dithers watching after Mrs. Osprey strangely, and more than once she suspected something more was brewing beneath the surface.

“Is there a problem, Mrs. Osprey?”

“Yes. Dithers refuses to close his mouth long enough to let his throat heal. I am quite capable of organizing the cleaning of this house. It is my job, after all.” She glared at him, but his jaw clenched.

“Dithers, are you stopping Mrs. Osprey from doing her job? Are you attempting to have her replaced?”

Dithers glanced at Lilly in horror.

She arched her brow and stepped closer to him. “That is what it sounds like to me. Perhaps you should listen to what she suggests for once.”

Dithers’ jaw clenched before he bowed and stalked off. Clearly, he did not appreciate Lilly’s support of the housekeeper.

Mrs. Osprey bit her lip, watching until Dithers disappeared from view. “Can I help you, my lady?”

“Why do you keep calling me that? I’ve not married his lordship yet.”

Mrs. Osprey smiled ruefully. “Just trying to get you used to the idea.”

Lilly snorted, a very unladylike sound. “I need to rest, but the downstairs chaise was burned. Are any of the upper rooms prepared yet?”

“The only room ready so far is the master’s bedchamber. You can rest there until your room is properly aired.”

Lilly squeezed the housekeeper’s hand and turned to check the corridor. Since it was empty, she slipped inside Giles’ room and crawled onto his soft bed.

Giles did not wake her. Mrs. Osprey did.

The magistrate had come and wanted to talk to all the witnesses to the shooting. When Lilly glanced around, she could see no sign that Giles had returned to his room at all. Her stomach fluttered to think he might be avoiding her.

Lilly returned to her own room, and Mrs. Osprey helped her bathe away the grime and change into a fresh gown. She could still smell the scent of smoke beneath her usual perfume and wondered how long the smell would linger.

“Osprey?”

“Yes, my lady?” The little woman seated herself on a chair nearby.

Lilly frowned. “What are you going to do about Dithers?”

Mrs. Osprey blinked and did not say a word.

“Would you care to hear a suggestion?”