Page 85 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
When Athene stirred again, Hugo still held her hand, but his face rested on the bed.He was asleep.She shifted her other arm in an attempt to stroke his rumpled hair.Red-hot pain lanced through her, banishing the mist from her mind.A groan of agony escaped, disturbing him.
He raised his head to stare at her in bleary concern.“You’re awake.”
She swallowed to moisten a mouth as dry as a desert and forced out an answer.“Yes.”The word emerged as a raw croak.
“That makes me so happy,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion.He tightened his grip on her hand.“How are you feeling?”
She frowned.She thought she’d imagined Miles’s presence, but that was without doubt her brother standing beside Hugo’s chair.“Miles?”she forced out.“What are you doing here?”
He looked troubled.“You don’t remember?”
“Remember?”Coughing hurt.Hurt like she couldn’t believe.
Hugo released her hand, which she didn’t like.But when he stood and poured her a glass of water, she forgave him.Very gently, he propped her up and gave her a sip.The cool moisture on her parched throat was heavenly.
Miles stared at her and if she didn’t know better, she’d say that he looked like he cared about her.“I saw you in the street, and you took fright and stepped in front of a curricle.”
She struggled to recall what happened, but her mind was a complete jangle.
“Later, man.Can’t you see she’s still confused?”Hugo gave her another sip of water before placing the glass on the bedside table.
“I thought you hated me,” she said, even as the fog rose again.
“Never,” her brother said.And on that word, she surrendered to the void once more.
***
When Athene woke again, her mind was clear and she recollected the events leading up to her accident.She’d been out of sorts after Hugo’s departure and went for a walk to clear her head.She remembered turning down onto crowded Coppergate.She remembered calling out to Miles and her surge of panic.She remembered stumbling into the carriage’s path.Then overwhelming pain before the terrible crash into blackness.
Now she opened her eyes to daylight and an open window.The air was cold but blessedly fresh.She didn’t remember much from the last hours, but she did recall feeling hot and stifled.
Hugo stood at the window looking outside.She took the opportunity to bask in the sight of him.
He was such a monumental figure of a man.Tall and powerful.In the soft winter light, the gold of his thick hair reflected the gold of his soul.
What a lucky girl she was to be alive and in his presence.
There was no sign of Miles, but she knew now that she hadn’t dreamed him being here.That was astonishing enough.Even more astonishing was her impression that he wasn’t angry or disdainful.He’d seemed worried, as if he was still fond of her.Of course, that couldn’t be true.
Hugo turned and caught her watching.His eyes lit, as if he beheld his dearest treasure, and one of his rare, sweet smiles curved his lips.“You’re with us again.”
She knew better now than to move so she just smiled back, because he was her dearest treasure, too.“I am.”
Speaking was easier than it had been, thank goodness.
Hugo approached the bed.“Would you like some water, lass?”
“Yes, please.Although I’d like a cup of tea even better.”
“I’m sure.I’ll go and fetch one for you.”
She slid her good hand over the sheets in a pleading gesture.“No, don’t go.I can wait.”
He leaned in to help her sit up.Although he was heartbreakingly careful, she bit back a whimper.“I’m never jumping in front of a carriage again.”
“Glad to hear it.”He stuffed a few pillows behind her, then he poured some water and held the glass to her lips.She took a couple of sips.She wanted to drain the glass, but she feared spilling water all over herself.
“You remember what happened?”he asked.
