“I hope you slept well,” Marcus said as he entered the room.
Dressed in a slate blue gown, Lady Louise reclined in bed with a pile of pillows supporting her back. A smile caught her lips. “Indeed I did, Mr. Berkly. And you?”
It was difficult not to get lost in that smile - in the happiness he saw there - and yet, it was bittersweet in a way since she’d likely have given the Winterlys or her maid a similar one. All it said was that she was glad to have someone provide her with company. The fact it was he who provided it was likely as inconsequential as his situation amid theton.
“Well enough,” he replied, then swiftly added, “I’ve come to remove the bandage and compresses from your eyes. If you’re feeling up to it, I thought we might go for a stroll outside afterward.”
“I’d love nothing more, Mr. Berkly, but will the sunshine not be too bright?”
“Most likely, which is why I’ve brought a mourning veil with me, courtesy of Mrs. Winterly. You can hang it over the brim of your bonnet to help dim the light.”
“Oh. How clever.”
Her smile broadened and it was all Marcus could do to remain where he was, to keep his distance and not pull her into his arms. God, how he wanted to hold her, to breathe her in and feel her warmth.
Idiot.
Setting his jaw, he strove to conduct himself with the utmost professionalism. With measured movements and schooled features, he placed the folded veil on top of a nearby dresser and perched himself beside her on the bed. “First, let’s find out how well you can see.”
Reaching up, he untucked the end of the bandage and started unwinding it with methodical movements. He did his damnedest to focus exclusively on his task and not on the lady whose close proximity caused his skin to prickle and his blood to rush through his veins. Even the way she breathed did funny things to his insides, which was possibly the most ridiculous observation he’d ever made.
His fingertips scraped the side of her head, prompting her to produce a soft gasp. “Sorry.”
“It’s quite all right.”
The bandage came free as she spoke and Marcus removed the compresses next. “One moment. I’ll just close the curtains a little and fetch your spectacles. Can you tell me where I might find them?”
“They should be in my nightstand drawer.”
Marcus crossed to the window and pulled the curtains until the room was significantly dimmed. Returning to Lady Louise’s bedside, he opened the drawer she’d mentioned and peered inside.
“You’ve been practicing your night writing, I see.” A jumbled pile of paper with dotted imprints served as evidence.
“I’ve had a lot of time on my hands lately.”
“Many would have spent such time relaxing, happy for a chance to do nothing at all.”
“I’m not like that. Sitting about all day without something to do vexes me.”
And impressed the hell out of him.
“If you’ve started attempting to write it, you must have learned how to read it.” He leafed through the pages and noted the transformation from untidy marks to neater ones.
“It wasn’t hard once I knew how it worked.”
He’d explained it to her, but still, the speed with which she appeared to have mastered the skill was impressive. He set the pages down and retrieved the case containing her spectacles. “Let’s hope you’ll never need to use it.”
“I disagree with you there, Mr. Berkly. If I am to open a school for blind children, I should be able to teach them how to function without their eyes.”
“Of course.”
Marcus slid the spectacles into position until they came to rest on the bridge of her nose. A stray lock of hair came loose as he did so, and he instinctively reached up to tuck it behind her ear. Time seemed to freeze in that instant while every moment he’d shared in Lady Louise’s company this past month rushed into focus, sharpening as he sat there, his knuckles grazing her temple. She opened her eyes, the dazed look in them suggesting it took time to focus. But then her expression cleared as she stared back at him with what he could only describe as wonder.
“Mr. Berkly.”
Her voice was soft and warm. It invited him closer. Until he could smell the sweet fragrance of rosewater on her skin. He leaned in further, until he could see the structure of her skin, until…
“My lady,” Hannah spoke from somewhere behind him.
