He turned away from the glare threatening to destroy everything he valued.
“Captain, are you—?”
“I am fine,” he interrupted. He fended off her touch. He couldn’t bear the weight of her gaze.
Look away, Pen. Please, look away.
The scarred end of his limb brushed along her arm. He flinched. Even in places numbed by scars, she burned.
“I am fine,” he repeated, this time in a voice that brokered no objection.
She sat back, pained with uncertainty.
“Mother?”
Thaddeus’s voice broke the awful spell. She moved away, leaving Cheverley aching for—and fearing—her return.
“Thaddeus?” He asked without rising. “Are you injured?”
“No, sir.”
Sir.The boy was either a radical or he had started to suspect the truth. All the more reason to end this before it was too late.
“Pe—”Damnation.He cleared his throat. “Lady Cheverley, are you able to take him to Ithwick?”
“I had already determined to do just that,” she answered coolly.
He raised himself to his elbows. She assessed him, detached, but all authority.
Ah.There she was—the knife throwing, pig-farmer’s daughter who could build a cottage and, with equal ease, fool thetoninto believing her blood blue.
A woman who deserved to be a duchess, even if he did not deserve to be a duke.
A breeze ran fingers along his forearm, taunting him with the closeness he could have felt, if he were not broken beyond mending.
He used the tree’s trunk to help him stand. Facing Thaddeus, he gripped the boy’s shoulder, resisting the urge to pull him close.
“Fine courage,” he said.
“Thank you.” The boy beamed. “And thank you for saving my life, too.”
He nodded once. “Your mother played an equal part.”
“I’ve already thanked her,” Thaddeus replied.
“A word, Lady Cheverley?” Though torture, he drew her aside and lowered his voice. “Keep him inside and occupied for the next few days.”
She lifted a brow. “And where will you be?”
“Scouring the woods for traps.” And finding out who was responsible for setting this one.
“Very well.”
She tried to turn. He tightened his grip. She glanced down at his hand.
“Forgive my presumption.” He released her arm. “It was not my place to tell you what to do.”
Penelope looked away. “Yet you did not hesitate to do so.”
