Page 86 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
“I remember everything.I should have stayed home yesterday.”
His lips turned down.“It was three days ago.”
Three days?When her eyes searched his face, the signs of exhaustion confirmed his words.Not to mention he badly needed a shave.“And all because I wanted a little fresh air.”
“You took twenty years off my life.At first, I couldn’t find you.Then, when I did, I was terrified that you weren’t going to wake up.”He spoke with his signature dry humor, but there were shadows in those deep blue eyes and lines on his face that hadn’t been present before.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m the one who should be sorry.I shouldn’t have left you.”He set the glass on the nightstand and sat down, taking her good hand.“Please forgive me.”
She squeezed his hand, appreciating her renewed strength, however feeble.
“I will if you kiss me,” she said, although what her heart hungered for was to hear him say he loved her.She could still recall the frantic pleading that lured her back from oblivion.
“That sounds like a good offer,” he murmured and stood to press his lips to hers with a tenderness that made her feel like crying.Warmth seeped through her, but when she instinctively reached for him, searing pain had her pulling free.“Ouch.”
Hugo sent her a sheepish smile.“We’re going to have to take things slow for a while.”
She grimaced.“I hurt all over.I assume my arm is broken.”
“It is.And a couple of ribs.You’re a mass of bruises.Not to mention you got a heck of a bang on the head.”His attempt at lightness failed, as he sank back into his chair and took her hand with more of that breathtaking tenderness.His eyes betrayed the torment that he’d been through.“By Jericho, Athene, you gave me a dickens of a fright.I thought I’d lost you.Don’t you dare do that to me again.”
“I’ll try.I’m with you for as long as you’ll have me.I don’t want to lose you either.”
His lips firmed, and he avoided her probing gaze.“We need to talk about that.”
Fear iced her blood.“Hugo?”She made a convulsive movement in his direction, before her ribs reminded her that convulsive movements were a bad idea.“Have you changed your mind about wanting me?”
His grip on her hand tightened, and the glance he sent her scorched.“Don’t be a silly widgeon, Athene.I’ll want you until the day I die.”
That should make her feel better.It wasn’t a declaration of love, but it was something.However she was too afraid to take comfort in his statement.Frantic, she winnowed through what could have changed over the last few days.“Is it Miles?Is it because you know who I am now?”
Hugo still stared at her as if he wanted to devour her.It wasn’t desire.They were both aware that she was out of action for the foreseeable future.Self-mockery lengthened his lips.“You should have told me you’re an earl’s daughter.”
“Why?So you can call me Lady Athene when you’re rogering me?”
She waited for him to smile, but he didn’t.“You could have trusted me with the truth.”
With dismay, she realized that she’d hurt him.“A disgraced earl’s daughter is just as ruined as a disgraced miller’s daughter.”
“Perhaps.”He paused and subjected her to another searching gaze.“You’re tired.We should leave this until you’re feeling better.You’re not up to my weight right now.”
That sounded ominous.And alarming.She twined trembling fingers around his.“No.No, don’t leave me in suspense.Tell me what you’re thinking.”
He looked both resolute and troubled.“If I do, you’ll want to have a fight.”
Her heart sank, as she struggled to read his expression.“Hugo, I can survive anything, including a collision with a carriage.Tell me.”
“You need to rest now.”
“Hugo…”
To her dismay, he rose and prowled restlessly back to the window.It was as if what he had to say was so terrible, he couldn’t bear to face her.“Let’s leave it until you’re stronger, Athene.You’re not going anywhere for a while.Neither am I.Decisions about our future can wait.”
When she struggled to sit up against the pillows, pain sliced through her like a knife.Despite her best efforts, a moan escaped.
Hugo whirled around and rushed forward to support her.“See?You’re getting agitated.Miles will have me shot.”
