She replied as soon as he tapped on the wooden panel. “Come in.”
He squared his shoulders and entered.
She sat at her dressing table. Her glance flickered to his reflection in the mirror, then back to her swollen cheek. “I don’t know how I’m going to hide this at dinner.”
“Never mind dinner.” He approached her gingerly, prepared for tears. “May I?”
She allowed him to turn her about on the chair until she faced him. A livid, hand-shaped welt rose on her fair skin. His throat closed. “Oh love, I’m so sorry.”
“For what? You’re the one who stopped her.” A half-smile faltered on the undamaged side of her face. “Luckily I don’t bruise easily.”
He eased her to her feet and into his arms. He stroked her hair as he murmured, “For everything. For ruining your life with a marriage you didn’t want. For not telling your family to go to the devil whenthey sent that arrogant telegram. For permitting Iona to run roughshod over you.”
She rested her head on his shoulder, unmoving. Then she took a deep breath. “You’re not the man I thought you were.”
Kieran swallowed. He deserved no better, but the assessment still hurt. “I know, but perhaps we can come to some arrangement where you would not have to see me—”
Her finger against his lips stopped him. “You don’t understand. I thought this marriage would be hopeless. It’s not. You don’t tell me what I must do or say or wear. This house party proves that we can work together when we need to.”
She touched her cheek. “You stopped Mama from hitting me. Even Granny could never accomplish that.”
Then she sighed. “Speaking of the house party, I must find a way to cover this up. Florette is bringing ice, but I’m not sure it will work quickly enough.”
“I shall tell our guests you’re indisposed.”
She nibbled her lip, an expression of longing on her face. “An evening alone sounds tempting.”
“Then turn around. I’ll unfasten your stays and you can crawl into bed. MacAdam can send up a tray.”
“Kieran, I did mean an evening alone. By myself.” She regarded him anxiously. “My face hurts and I truly have a wretched headache.”
He brushed her mouth with his. “That is exactly what I meant, my dear. With a houseful of guests, one of us has to appear at dinner.”
He freed her from her corset and even helpedher with her nightgown, amused at the idea of helping his wifeintoher garments.
When Florette arrived, bearing a bowl of ice and a clean towel, she gave a nod of approval. “It is very good, milord. Her ladyship needs a night of quiet. I shall convey to MacAdam the request for a tray and bring it up later.”
“Would you also ask Poole for some of the dowager’s salicin? We always keep a good supply on hand and it will ease her ladyship’s headache.”
He left her to change for dinner, then returned. Diantha drowsed, curled up on her side beneath the sheet. On a chair beside the bed, the ice-filled towel now rested in the bowl in easy reach of her hand.
“Is there anything else I can send for to make you comfortable?”
She lifted her head slightly. “Would you—would you mind brushing my hair?”
Wordlessly, he collected her brush and seated himself on the other side of her bed. She closed her eyes and sighed as he carefully drew the bristles through the long brown strands.
“That feels lovely.” A smile played about her lips. “I thought so the first time you brushed my hair.”
The morning after their wedding, when he’d decided to seduce her. As her shoulders relaxed under his ministrations, he realized that he found the action far more gratifying this time. Perhaps he should brush her hair more often. His cock hardened as he recalled the sensation of warm silk flowing over his skin when they made love.
A soft snore broke the silence. Diantha had fallen asleep.
* **
He looked in on her again before retiring, expecting that she slept on. Instead she sat up in bed, working on her sketch pad. She closed it and tucked it beside the bed. “I was sound asleep for hours, now I’m wide awake.”
“Have a brandy.” So saying, Kieran slipped into his own chamber and filled two snifters with the amber liquid. He returned, giving one to her.
