He blinked. “Some spy I am—I never even noticed that.”
She smiled as she turned toward him again. “My father was of the controversial notion that washing helped inspire healing. And while I have very much enjoyed our sponge baths, I think you are recovering well enough to allow you to use the tub if you’re up for it.”
“I’m up for anything that has to do with you,” he said, tilting his head toward the half-erect cock that tented his sheets. A permanent state of being when she was around.
She rolled her eyes. “You are a cad, Your Grace. I’m off to start bringing up the water.”
“Let me help,” he suggested, moving to throw the covers back.
She shook her head and held up a hand. “You will injure yourself carrying buckets,” she said.
He pursed his lips. She was right, of course, but that truth still stung. She didn’t allow him to address it, though, but disappeared from the room, leaving him alone with his feelings of ineptitude.
She returned a few moments later, bearing a heavy bucket laden with steaming water. As she poured it in the tub, he shook his head. “I do not like being useless.”
She faced him. “You are not useless, Lucas. But if you rip open the injury on your shoulder or harm your leg, you could very well be.”
He folded his arms. “Would you at least ask Stalwood’s lackeys to help you?”
She pondered that. “Yes, very well.”
She waved him back to his comfortable position and disappeared from the room again. He heard her open her door, heard her talking to whichever spy was guarding the house at present. Within moments, a tall, strapping man Lucas did not recognize came into the room carrying not one but two buckets of water.
The man inclined his head before he dumped each into the tub. “Your Grace.”
Lucas winced. Though he had grown accustomed to the times Diana gently teased him with his title, hearing it from this stranger still made his stomach clench.
“Thank you,” he ground out as the man left. It was a few moments before he returned. Lucas had to assume Diana had more water to heat before the buckets could be filled again, and how that strapping man must enjoy the opportunity to engage with her. Why wouldn’t he? She was lovely and bright, sensual and kind.
Lucaslikedher. He’d been trying not to like her. Trying not to feel any more than he ever had for any temporary lover. But it was impossible to view her as such. That feeling set him on his heels and he struggled to deal with it as the young man returned and dumped water in the tub once more. It was more than halfway full now, only a few more buckets would do the trick.
“What is your name?” Lucas asked, desperate to keep him here rather than allow him to stay with Diana while she prepared the water for the tub.
“Logan, Your Grace,” he said, facing Lucas once more. His gaze flitted over him and Lucas felt his discomfort—hispity. Lucas’s stomach clenched. “Geoffrey Logan.”
“How long have you worked for Stalwood?” he asked.
“Less than a year.” The young man settled into a military at-ease stance naturally.
Lucas nodded. “This must be one of your first assignments.”
“It is,” he admitted.
“Not exactly exciting, I fear.” Lucas watched him closely for any reaction. There was one, the boy hadn’t trained himself not to give it yet. A flash of frustration. A hint of restlessness.
“I’m happy to do it, I assure you, Your Grace. You are well thought of in the department. Many who trained us spoke of your abilities, referenced your exploits. You did so much for the country during your time in the field.”
Lucas shifted. His accomplishments were being spoken of in the past tense. Something from a bygone era that was over, a reminiscence by friends he had worked with on cases. His own fears, spoken in plain words by a man who was hardly that. Anger rose in his chest and he carefully tamped it down as best he could.
“At least the company is fair,” he drawled. Logan arched a brow and shook his head as if he didn’t understand. Lucas glared at him. “Miss Oakford.”
Color filled Logan’s cheeks. “I—er—yes, sir. She is very lovely.”
“All of them think so?” he pressed.
“Only three of us, Your Grace,” he explained. “On a rotating schedule. But yes, she does occasionally…come up.”
“Mr. Logan, I’m ready for you once again!” Diana’s voice came from downstairs, and the young man saluted before he hurried off to help her.
