He was always going to protect her.
His valet found them in this same position early the following morning. Gory had passed a difficult night, not only for the confusion he had caused her. Her stitches had turned painful and the laudanum had not helped very much. For this reason, he had kept her cradled on his lap in the hope that his body might warm hers that had turned cold and shivering. “My lord,” Robbins whispered, “shall I come back later?”
“No, give me a moment to put her back in bed. She was in a lot of pain last night.”
Robbins, who was a genteel, older man with a lot of experience attending to the men in the Thorne family, was obviously at sixes and sevens when it came to dealing with ladies in the household, especially the one having taken over Julius’s bedchamber and presently asleep in his arms.
He inched closer to assist Julius as he rose, but then gasped. “My lord, there is blood trickling down Lady Gregoria’s ear.”
“Blast, have Dr. Farthingale summoned at once.” Julius frowned as he gently set Gory back in his bed. “What time is it?”
“Eight o’clock, my lord.”
“That late?” But he breathed a sigh of relief. “Then the doctor will arrive fairly soon. Set out fresh clothes for me and my shaving gear. I’ll take care of myself, but have Greeves send Dr. Farthingale up the moment he arrives.”
“For certain, my lord.”
Once his valet had shut the door behind him, Julius turned to study Gory as she lay in deep slumber in his bed. “Oh, love. I thought you were on the mend.”
He wondered whether he ought to wake her, but her breathing appeared even and she seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
However, he had no medical training.
The trickle of blood along her ear appeared to be from a loosened stitch and nothing more, but did it signify something more dangerous was going on?
How could he be certain he was doing the right thing in allowing her to sleep?
He kept close watch over her even as he washed up, shaved, and then quickly dressed for the day. He had hoped she would open her eyes before the doctor arrived because they needed to discuss what had happened last night.
That kiss.
He was not certain what her response would be to him this morning.
Would she admit she loved him and agree to call off the wedding? She had mentioned that she would, confided this to him even before he had spilled his guts and told her that he loved her.
“Gory?” he whispered, hoping she was close to waking and might respond.
But she was lost in her dreams.
Although disappointed, he let her be.
Dr. Farthingale could be relied upon to keep any confidences that might be revealed once she awoke.
Julius had just finished readying himself for the day when the doctor strode in.
“I hear she bled a little,” he remarked.
Julius nodded. “Yes, by her ear. I did not know whether to wake her or leave her sleeping. She does not appear to be struggling now. However, she was in a lot of pain last night. What should I have done, Dr. Farthingale?”
“My lord, there is no right or wrong answer.”
That did not ease his mind, but he did not press the doctor for further explanation.
He watched tensely as Dr. Farthingale checked Gory’s scalp and then woke her up. “Your eyes look clear, Lady Gregoria. That is a very good thing. How do you feel?”
She winced as she sat up. “I feel fine. I am eager to start the day. We have so much to accomplish.”
The doctor frowned. “You should not be getting out of bed yet.”
