He glanced at the hearth’s roaring fire. “Indeed, it is quite warm. I’ll have Mrs. Smythe dampen the fire.”
“I appreciate it, Your Grace. You have been more than generous and I cannot thank you enough.”
A small smile tugged on the corner of his mouth—a nicely shaped mouth that was hard not to stare at.
“It is the least I could do since I nearly killed you,” he said.
“Can you tell me what happened? I have so many unanswered questions, and with my mind blank, getting a few of them answered would be most valued.”
Nodding, he shifted on the seat. “I will tell you what I know, which I fear is not much.” He braced his palms on the edge of the seat and leaned slightly forward, still keeping his eyes on her. “I was returning home from a dinner party, when I hit you. Clouds hid the moon, and I didn’t see you until too late.”
“Where was I?”
“You ran out from a group of trees into my path. I have no clue where you were coming from. And you must have been running fast because all I saw was a shadow before my horse struck you.”
She rested her folded arms on her knees and leaned her chin on her forearm. “Mrs. Smythe says my clothes were tattered and dirty.”
“Terribly so. And it appeared you had not bathed for a month.”
She cringed. “Do you think I’m a vagabond?”
“I did, yes, but then your appearance suggested you had fallen on hard times. However, I realize how well you speak, and it makes me wonder what really happened to you.”
“Mrs. Smythe said there are scars on my back.” The duke nodded as though he knew exactly what scars she spoke of. Athrill rushed through her, wondering if he indeed saw her bare back. “D—did you see them?”
“No. I left the room before she bathed you.”
Releasing a heavy sigh, she slid her legs to the floor and stood. Threading her fingers through her hair, she walked toward the fire, her mind whirling with confusion as the pound in her head continued to grow. “Oh, I pray I will remember soon. I don’t wish to be a burden on you.”
When she turned and caught his gaze, her mouth dried. His attention wasn’t on her face as she’d expected, but on her body, sliding over every inch, especially between her neck and knees. His slow perusal made her heart hammer a foreign rhythm and caused her to burn from embarrassment. Once again, she’d forgotten she wasn’t wearing a wrapper.
Quickly, she folded her arms in an attempt to hide herself. He rose and walked toward her at an unhurried pace. She couldn’t move, although she should fetch a shawl or something to cover herself. After all, she was a woman, and he was most certainly a man.
“Miss Louisa,” he said in a deep voice as he lifted a lock of her hair lying on her shoulder. “You are not a burden to me or my staff.” His gaze moved briefly to her mouth before bouncing up to her eyes again. “I feel responsible for the accident, since my thoughts had wandered and I was not watching the road as I should have been.”
“Please don’t blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault. Obviously, I was not in my right mind when I ran into the street.”
He cupped her chin with his other hand as he gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. “As it were, I feel responsible, which is why I shall keep you here until you are well.”
His tender touch melted her insides, her limbs would soon follow, she was certain—unless she removed his hand, which shewas reluctant to do. An invisible pull encouraged her to lean forward and snuggle against his palm, which she did very subtly.
“What if I never regain my memory?” she whispered.
His stare danced between her eyes and her mouth once again—but longer this time. Cotton took up residence in her throat, making it impossible to swallow.
“Then I suppose I shall have to keep you on indefinitely,” he answered in a low tone.
Somehow, he’d put her in a trance—one she did not wish to leave. She could stare into his blue eyes all night, just as long as he would continue looking at her as if he couldn’t get enough.
But he pulled away, and his quick movement jerked her back to reality.
“As a maid, of course,” he finished.
Her body shook from either the accident or the hold he’d had on her a moment ago. “Of course, Your Grace.” She smiled. “But I wonder what it is I can do?”
“Not to worry, dear Louisa.” He stepped back. “When you are able, we will discover which area of the estate you are best suited for.”
She tightened her arms around her chest, suddenly chilled. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
