Silas noted putting down his glass of whiskey. “Very well then. But she is your responsibility.”
Amelia beamed, jumping a little as she clapped. “Oh, thank you, thank you, brother! You will not regret it. My first order of business: I need to get her some clothes.”
“I am afraid any shopping trips are prohibited, sister. There are people who might be looking for her.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Who is looking for her?”
Silas glared at her, “I am warning you, Amelia: this is where you draw the line of your inquisitiveness. No more questions.”
She folded her arms over her chest, “All right. No more questions.” She lowered her voice to a mumble. “For now.”
“Amelia,” Silas growled with a warning.
“All right, all right!” She threw her hands up in mock innocence. “I shall be off now. I’ll speak with one of our maids, see if we can modify some of Mother’s old clothes.”
“Good. Do you need anything else of me?” he asked.
“No, we’ll see each other at dinner. Wear something nice!” Amelia called from over her shoulder as she exited the study in a flurry.
Silas sat back in his chair and his mind wandered back to Helena. The curve of her body haunted him, the fullness of her breasts that pressed against the fabric of her dress as if begging for his touch.
He imagined the feel of her pressed against him, her body beneath his, her soft, full breasts pressed to his chest as he pinned her in place.
The thought made his cock stir uncomfortably in his breeches. He closed his eyes, vision of her scars flashing in his mind—proof of the brutality she’d endured—and it only made him want her more, to possess her completely, to wipe away every trace of pain with his own touch, his control.
But no. He crushed the thoughts, his jaw clenching as he straightened.
She is a complication,he reminded himself.She’s not to be touched.
The beast in him growled at the restriction, but Silas forced himself to look away, to ignore the way his body ached with the need to claim her.
“There are far more important matters at hand,” he muttered under his breath.
But even as he stood, his hands clenched at his sides, the temptation lingered, and his pulse remained erratic.
Helena was woken by a knock on the door.
“Come in.” She sat up, expecting that it would be Amelia.
Instead, a procession of maids carrying hot water flooded into the room. They all rushed to the bathtub behind the screenbefore proceeding to stock up the fire in the fireplace. One of the maids laid a gown on her bed, while another arranged brushes and combs on the vanity.
Helena hardly knew what to do with it all. It had been a long five years since she was treated in such a manner and even in her own home, her ablutions had never been this lavish.
“Good morning, Lady Helena,” one of the maids said, “I am Marian and I shall be your lady’s maid for as long as you’re here. Are you ready for your bath?”
Helena nodded mutely.
Being primped and pampered was not something she was used to, and so she enjoyed it thoroughly. Once she was dressed, Marian escorted her down to the dining hall for breakfast. She tensed when she caught sight of Silas sitting at the head of the table.
“Lady Helena, there you are!” a voice said excitedly. She noticed Amelia sitting to the right of her brother.
Helena smiled, and began to walk towards Amelia.
“You can sit on my left.” Silas said and she abruptly changed direction, her skin heating.
She sat down slowly, an awkward smile on her face.
“Did you sleep well?” Amelia asked with bright eyes.
