“Since last night,” he answered before she could finish. “You collapsed after everything, and I had you moved here.”
Simon’s hand settled across her shoulders again, settling her. She opened her eyes and found him still watching her. It was a mixture of concern and relief.
“You saved me,” she whispered.
“Of course, I did.” Simon’s jaw tightened slightly, but he did not look away.
“He could have killed me.”
Simon’s hand curled into a fist. “But he didn’t. It should not have ever happened, and I am sorry that it did. No one will ever touch you again.”
Rachel did not know whether it was the exhaustion or the lingering fear, but a single tear slipped down her cheek. Before she could turn away to hide it, Simon’s thumb brushed it away.
“How do you know?”
“Because I am here.” There was something so absolute in his words that for a moment, she almost believed them.
“You should eat something,” his voice grew worried. “Look at how frail you have gotten since I left you here.”
Rachel shook her head. “I cannot.”
“Rachel, you must regain your strength,” Simon frowned.
“I have lost my appetite,” she argued back. A part of her knew it was silly, but she remembered how he had left her alone in the estate. It was enough to wipe out her appetite entirely.
Simon did not argue. Instead, he reached for a bowl of soup on the bedside table that had been brought in by the staff.
He lifted the spoon, and then he brought it up to her lips.
“No, I will not—” Rachel protested.
“Just a little,” he interrupted, “For me.”
She hesitated, but there was something about the way he said it that made her open her mouth. Even when she had reason to be upset with him, she could not deny him.
The liquid warmed her throat, and she swallowed, closing her eyes for a brief moment. All the while, she could feel his eyes on her.
Simon lifted the spoon again. “Another.”
Rachel sighed, but did as he asked.
“Thank you for listening.”
“Cherish it, Your Grace, for my appetite will vanish again when you disappear once more.” She could not help herself.
“I am not leaving again.” His voice was serious.
“I still need to understand how all of this came about.”
“I was hoping you would recover a bit more before we talked,” Simon sighed. He seemed like he wished to avoid it as much as he could.
Rachel lifted a brow. “So, you did intend to explain?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” she replied. “Then start.”
“Very well.” He sounded as though he was choosing his words carefully. “I will tell you everything.”
