As she stepped back and started to turn, the door opened. She gasped and placed her hand to her throat.
Gavin stood in the doorway wearing nothing but a long dressing robe. But it wasn’t his bare feet and bare neck that frightened her… it was his puffy eyes and swollen lips.
Her heart dropped, and she groaned. Heavens, she could have killed him.
“Priscilla, why are you here?” he snapped, slurring a bit. “I don’t wish you to see me in such a state.” He lowered his head and stepped back into the shadows of his room, moving out of the light from the lamp in the corridor.
The pain in her chest twisted tighter. By coming to apologize, she had embarrassed him. Still, she must say what she came to tell him and then leave quickly.
“Your Grace, please forgive me for causing you distress tonight, but more than that, I beg your forgiveness for making you touch the kitten. I didn’t know…” She paused, wondering how to phrase the words without confessing that she had done it on purpose. “I didn’t know your reaction to the animal would be so severe.”
“Now that you know, please leave.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. Now that she had apologized, she should leave, but the maternal side of her wanted to stay to take care of him, even though the idea was ridiculous.
“Will you be all right tonight? Do you need anything from the kitchen?”
He didn’t move, for which she was grateful, but she really wished he hadn’t stepped into the shadows. Was he still looking at her? Was her presence still upsetting him? But as the seconds passed without him answering, she started to wonder if he had fallen asleep standing up. Or maybe the swelling had affected his voice, since he spoke to her in rough tones.
“I will be fine,” he said softly. “The only thing I need is for you to return to your room and leave me alone until I have fully recovered.”
She licked her dry lips. “And when will that be, Your Grace?”
He groaned and rubbed his forehead. It appeared his fingers were slightly swollen as well. Could her guilt become any worse?
“I will be back to my normal, cheerful self by tomorrow, I assure you.”
She nodded, trying to relax. “Before I leave, will you please accept my apology?”
“Not to worry yourself, Priscilla. You have done nothing wrong.”
Unfortunately, she had. But perhaps this wasn’t the time to tell him the truth. She would wait until he was improved and could handle the news better. Maybe he would be so put out with her that he would leave the manor and not want to return.
“Then I bid you good night,” she said.
As she turned to leave, she felt slightly better, but she feared sleep would still not come as quickly as she wanted.
“Wait,” he called out.
She swung back around and faced him. He had stepped more into the light, but not enough. “What is it?”
“Although I’m reluctant to ask, I fear I must.”
“Tell me what you need.”
“I wasn’t hungry until you mentioned food. Will you get me something from the icebox?”
Her heart lightened slightly at knowing he was allowing her to help him, even in the smallest measurement. “Of course, Your Grace. Whatever you want.”
“Bread and cheese will be fine.”
“Then I shall return momentarily.”
This time when she walked down the corridor, her steps were faster. Maybe she would feel better now that she could care for him a little. And thankfully, she didn’t have to enter his bedchamber to do it.
*
Gavin sat onhis cushioned chair, watching the opened door to his room. Although his face hurt and his head felt like it would explode soon, he was actually quite stunned at his visitor. It pleased him to think she had gone against Society’s rules and come to his chambers just to apologize. He knew it would take some coaxing to get her to forgive him for breaking her heart, but what she’d done tonight was something he never expected.
