And she had not skipped anything while bathing him. Only because his fever had burned so hot. Because she had been faced with a choice—her modesty or his life. And she had done what needed to be done.
Thank God he had not expired.
He was very much alive—and still waiting for a response.
Her mouth felt dry as she tore her gaze away, forcing her thoughts into order. “It’s only been a few hours since you woke up,” she said, keeping her voice even. “I’m sure you’ll remember everything by tomorrow.”
But what if he didn’t?
His dark stare echoed her thoughts—doubting, filled withhopeless resignation. She didn’t like that look in his eyes. It made her want to do something for him, though she didn’t know what.
Flustered by her thoughts, she smoothed her skirts and glanced around the small storage room.
“Are you hungry? I have some soup left over from supper.” With all the complications this man had brought to her home, she was happy to address something she could actually help him with. He needed nourishment. That she could do.
He would be better in the morning, surely.
When she met his gaze again, he smiled, just a small tilt of his lips. Warmth danced from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. It was that feeling. A feeling she’d all but forgotten, one she hadn’t known since Alastair left to be with his father in London.
“Finally a question I can answer,” he murmured before looking up at her sheepishly. “I’m starving, actually.”
Daisy found herself grinning back at him, and although it was short and ironic sounding, they both laughed just a little. When she rose, however, he turned serious again.
“I’m inconveniencing you, though. Am I not?” Even disheveled, not quite sitting on a ragged mattress, he appeared dignified.Definitely a gentleman. “As soon as I’m able, I’ll take myself out of your way—out of your pantry. So you might go on with your business.” A wince this time, masquerading as a tight grin.
Daisy shook her head. “You’re not inconveniencing me,” she lied. He’d only turned her life upside down.
But he’d been through a lot—more than she could even imagine, really.
For the first time in a very long time, she felt… Something she didn’t fully understand.
Inspired, somehow?
But that was not why she intended to let him stay.
“You were beaten and left for dead. Your wounds need to heal completely before you put yourself back in danger.”
Which meant her guest wouldn’t be going anywhere soon.
Not if she could help it.
EMERGING
Nothing.
No names, places, or… much of anything.
Disappointment swept through him the next morning as he lay on the mattress staring into the darkness. He’d forcefully attempted to search all the places in his mind but had come up empty over and over again. He couldn’t remember... anything, really.
Flashes of faces—there, then gone in an instant. But for similar flashes of a large country manor, he landed on nothing that provided him with any useful information.
Voices sounded just outside the door, low but distinct.
He ran a hand through his too-long hair, exhaling sharply. From the brief rundown Daisy had given him the night before, he recognized what must be her brother chatting with her in the kitchen.
The previous night, after bringing him soup, she had sat with him, speaking in quiet tones, almost like a bedtime story meant to lull him into rest.
She had told him about her brother and his schooling, the soaps she made, the clients who bought them. She had steeredher monologue away from his situation, filling the silence with details of her own life rather than pressing him for information he did not have.
