The Duke’s eyes returned to Sybil, and this time, she saw something she hadn’t expected—genuine concern. Not just for his daughter but recognition of what might have happened without intervention.
“You have medical training?” he asked.
“Of a sort.” She lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated. “I’ve been caring for the girls at Gillies Institute for years. Broken bones are unfortunately common when children climb trees and explore ruins.”
“Gillies Institute.” He seemed to taste the words. “You’re Lady Sybil Gillies, daughter of the Earl of Keats.”
The words hit her like a physical blow. Sybil’s breath caught sharply—she’d grown so accustomed to being simply ‘Miss Gillies’ these past eight years that hearing her proper title felt like donning clothes that no longer fit.He knows. Of course, he knows.
“Lady Sybil?” Rosalie’s voice was sharp with surprise, her pale blue eyes darting between them. “But I thought… you said you ran an orphanage. Ladies don’t typically?—”
“I am,” Sybil said quietly, lifting her chin despite the flush of heat in her cheeks. The distance she’d put between herself and her parents’ world—between herself and the Earl and Countess of Keats, who had failed Emmie so completely, felt suddenly fragile. “Though I’ve had little use for titles these many years.”
Instead, he nodded slowly. “I’ve heard talk of your work. Favorable talk.”
Thatwas unexpected.
“Thank you,” she managed.
He kneeled beside his daughter, his large hands remarkably gentle as he examined Sybil’s handiwork. “The binding is well done. Professional.”
“She knew exactly what to do, Papa,” Rosalie said earnestly. “And she kept me calm by asking about my debut. I hardly felt the pain at all.”
A ghost of a smile touched the Duke’s stern mouth. “Did she?”
“She says fathers are protective creatures,” Rosalie added with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Wise observation.” His gaze met Sybil’s again, and she felt that strange breathless sensation return. “I believe my daughter owes you her life.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say?—”
“Iwould.” He stood, his impressive height making her feel absurdly small even though she wasn’t particularly petite. “This level of injury without immediate care in a remote location…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but he didn’t need to.
He’s right. Head wounds can turn deadly quickly. And if the broken bone had been worse…
“I was simply in the right place at the right time,” Sybil said firmly. “Anyone would have done the same.”
“No.” His voice carried absolute certainty. “Not anyone would have had the knowledge or the steady hands to do what you did. I owe you a debt.”
Something in his tone made her pulse quicken. This was a man accustomed to being in control, to holding all the cards. The idea that he considered himself in anyone’s debt seemed foreign to his nature.
“There’s no debt,” she said quickly. “I was glad to help.”
“Lady…” He paused, waiting.
“Sybil. Sybil Gillies.”
“Lady Sybil.” He inclined his head with formal courtesy, but his amber eyes never left hers. “I’m afraid I must disagree. My daughter’s life is not something I take lightly. When someone preserves what I value most in this world, I consider myself honor-bound to repay that service.”
What he values most.Despite everything she’d heard about his cold nature, there was no mistaking the fierce love in his voice when he spoke of Rosalie.
He’s not what I expected. Not at all.
“Your Grace is very kind, but truly, no payment is necessary.” She began gathering her scattered herbs, suddenly desperateto escape his unsettling presence. “I should return to the orphanage. The girls will be wondering where I’ve gone.”
“Of course.” But he made no move to step aside. “However, my position remains unchanged. I owe you a debt, Lady Sybil, and Ineverleave my debts unpaid.”
The way he said it—quiet, implacable—sent a shiver down her spine. This was clearly a man who kept his word, for better or worse.
