In truth, Ailis had lately been putting his heart in a twist.
What was it about this impertinent spinster that seemed to affect him?
He thought his heart had become an impenetrable fortress over the years, a consequence of the war and a year’s imprisonment in one of the harsher French prisons, until he’d made his escape. His third escape attempt was the charm, andhe had managed to get a few soldiers out along with him. But too many others had been caught or simply left behind because they were too weak to run.
He had worked tirelessly to negotiate their release upon his return to England. However, little was accomplished until Napoleon was captured and sent into exile.
The war had ended two years ago, but only recently had his nightmares occasioned by regret and frustration begun to abate.
“Ramsdale, leave the past alone,” he muttered, knowing Ailis’s injury and the pain she was enduring had brought back those memories.
He rose, took a moment to stretch his stiff body, and then crossed to his bureau to pour himself a brandy. With glass in hand, he sauntered to the window to watch the snow still falling hard upon the ground. He had wasted hours thinking of Ailis and all the reasons why he should keep his distance from her, and still had no idea what he was to do about her.
Do nothing.
Not only had the war years left him bitter, but they’d left him physically scarred as a consequence of those two failed escape attempts.
How did one regain one’s civility after experiencing so much cruelty?
This is why he hated moving about thetonso much. There was so much fakery. All those useless rules andfauxmorality. But here in Broadmoor, people were open about who they were. This made him more appreciative of those rare beings driven by kindness.
This was Ailis, was it not? She was no meek violet, but she had a big heart and offered it sincerely.
However, she was fully capable of standing her ground. She had a lot of fight in her, yet was one of the kindest people he had ever met.
He liked this mix of strength and gentleness about her.
Perhaps this was why they got along so well, although he was often purposely curt to keep her from getting too close to him.
A man with an empty heart should not be so attracted to a young woman with a full heart, should he?
Later that evening, Jonas stopped in to see how Ailis was faring. He had wanted to come up sooner, but refrained because he was already too drawn to her and did not like this surprising turn of events.
Martha was right about her. She was soft as a lamb. Soft skin. Soft curves. The softest smile.
“Ailis? Are you awake?” he asked in a whisper, noting her eyes were closed, those lovely, dark lashes resting on her pale cheeks as she appeared to be lost in sleep.
Disappointed, but not wishing to disturb her or Martha, who also had her eyes closed while seated beside Ailis, he crossed to the window and drew aside the heavy drapes. He had been staring out his study window only a few minutes ago, but could not resist looking out again. He found this snowfall particularly fascinating. A little magical.
Perhaps because it had brought him Ailis.
The wind howled and rattled the windows, for the blizzard remained at full strength and probably would remain so into the morning.
Now that night had fallen, the moon’s glow reflected off the icy white of the snow and caused it to shimmer.
“Your Grace,” Martha said in a whisper, yawning as she rose from her chair beside the bed, “may I run downstairs for a moment? I’d like to gather some food for Miss Temple should she recover her appetite. She’s hardly eaten all day.”
Jonas nodded. “I’ll stay until you return. Prepare another pack of ice for her shoulder, too. We need to keep the swelling down.”
Ailis’s eyes flickered open as he settled in the chair beside her that Martha had vacated. “Ah, you’re awake.”
She cast him the sweetest smile. “Yes, just needed to close my eyes for a few minutes. But I do not think I will sleep much tonight.”
He nodded. “Your shoulder will be sore.”
“Quite,” she said with a sleepy sigh. “Pain shoots up my arm with even the slightest movement.”
“I’m sorry for it, Ailis. Truly.” He stretched his legs out before him, trying to get comfortable in the chair.
