She paused, then said, “I heard something. Then I slipped.” Her eyes were unfocused, and that tore through him.He pressed his lips to her temple. “You are safe now. I promise.”
She shivered, curling tighter into him, as if by proximity alone she might forget the cold, the fear, the way the world had tilted. He shifted slightly, reached for his discarded coat, and pulled out a handkerchief. Without thinking, he pressed it into her hand.
She looked down, unfolding it slowly. Her fingers stilled as her eyes found the stitches.
“Did I make this?”
He didn’t answer. Not right away.
“I did,” she said with quiet conviction. “At Christmastide. I embroidered this. For you.”
“It’s just a handkerchief,” he murmured, voice rougher than he intended.
“You kept it.”
The air turned brittle. He stood, suddenly, too fast, his heart hammering in his chest.She cannot know the reason.
“Why did you keep it, Theo?”
The sound of his heartbeat was beginning to drown everything else. He could not allow her to know the reason he still had her handkerchief with him. Theo had to leave. Now.
“This discussion is over,” he rasped. “You must get dry. I’ll have Mrs. Maple help you.”
Before she could speak, a knock sounded. He crossed to the door, opening it to find Mrs. Maple with blankets and warm water.
“Help her change,” he ordered. “Stay with her.”
He walked away before April could say another word.
In his study, he shut the door behind him and leaned back, palms braced against the wood. He could not stop the shaking in his hands.
I cannot lose control. I cannot feel. Not again.But the memory would not relent.
Little April had run into the drawing room, a folded cloth tucked behind her back. He had been seated across from August, their game of chess pausing the moment she hovered beside them, rocking on her heels.
“What are you playing?” she asked, peering at the board.
“Chess,” Theo answered as he moved a pawn.
“Are you winning?”
August laughed. “He is not.”
“Be nice to our guest,” she scolded, her nose wrinkled in disapproval. Then she looked back to Theo, her blue eyes wide. “Do you know how to play snapdragons?”
“I do not,” Theo said solemnly.
“You must learn. We set raisins on fire and snatch them before the flame catches your fingers. It’s very dangerous.”
August sighed. “You are not meant to encourage that story.”
“It’s true,” April insisted. Then, tilting her head, she studied Theo again. “Since you are a duke, do you live in a castle? Mama said that most dukes own castles.”
Theo shook his head. “No castle. Just two manors.”
Her face fell. “That’s a shame. You can’t be a prince without a castle.”
“I did not realize I was applying for the title.”
