He sighed. “Will you allow me to speak, Kate?”
Kate swallowed. “I can tidy you and make you more comfortable, while I listen, can I not?” It would be better if she could hide her face from him. He need not know how much she cared.
Robert sank back on the pillows, a wry smile hovering on his lips. “You seem intent on fussing about, so please continue.”
“I’ll send for more hot water.”
When the servant came to her summons, she requested the hot water and a tray of food. “Tell Cook something light. She’ll know what’s best.”
Kate picked up his hair brush from the dresser and returned to the bed. She began to brush his hair, smoothing it away from his brow.
He closed his eyes. “Mm, that feels good.”
“Your hair is as black as a raven’s wing,” she said to distract him.
He grabbed her hand and kissed her wrist. “I like your lovely golden hair hanging over your shoulders. Naked shoulders…”
Kate’s pulse raced and hope filled her heart, but she hid her delight and shook her head. “My hair is brown. And I don’t intend to encourage this conversation. It’s not good for you.”
“Kate, I drove you away. I should be put in stocks in the village square…”
“Hush, Robert. I believe you are still feverish.”
“I mean it. I am ashamed of how I’ve treated you.”
“I’ve made mistakes, too,” Kate said, her spirits beginning to soar.
“You will be proud of me when I tell you that I have put things to rights with my mother.”
“Have you? I am so pleased. And I am proud of you, Robert. I always have been.” There was a knock at the door, and James brought in the bowl of water and a fresh towel.
Dipping a cloth in the lavender-scented, warm water, she proceeded to wash Robert’s face, gently dampening his dry lips. He lay meek and uncomplaining under her ministrations. She continued to wash his throat down to the vee in his nightshirt, skirting the bandage at his shoulder. Her hand lingered on his chest, smoothing the dark hairs there before she dried it.
“That feels nice.” He gave the glimmer of a smile. “Have I been sleeping through this procedure?”
“You have.”
“The deuce!” He grinned. “Well, I’m awake now.”
“Please stay still. We don’t want to reopen your wound,” she said mildly, while fighting to keep her composure.
She eased away his nightshirt and began to wash his chest and the ribs of hard muscle over his stomach. She had not seen his naked body clearly in daylight and caught her breath at how athletic and strong he was. She briskly washed him and patted him dry while he watched her with a lazy smile.
Kate pulled down his nightshirt and arranged the covers. Easing back a loose lock of hair from her forehead with her forearm she sat back. “You’ll do for now.”
A gleam brightened his eyes. “You promise to be more thorough tomorrow?”
It warmed her heart that hurt as he was, he wanted things to be right between them. “I promise. Now, if I add more pillows, can you sit up? You must eat.”
She arranged the pillows at his back as he eased himself up with a grimace. “Kate, I came to Cornwall to tell you I was sorry. Sorry for everything.”
She caught her breath. “So am I. So very sorry, Robert.”
He shook his head, those vivid blue eyes gazing earnestly into hers. “You have nothing to apologize for. I’ve treated you badly, and I can say little in my defense. Before I embarked on this trip, I visited my mother, made my peace with her.” His voice rasped with emotion. “Your wise words, sweetheart, made me realize I had to face the fact that I wasn’t dealing with the past. It was quite amazing how light-hearted I felt when I came away from Portman Square.”
“Oh, I wish I’d been there,” she said, thrilled. “I do so like them, especially, Clare and Frederick.”
“Yes, I agree. Except Charlesworth. Puffed-up boor.”
