Page 47 of The Duke of Ice
“Indeed.” Simon stood a few niches away. He ran his gloved fingers over the face of a cleric. “It’s marvelous.”
They lingered awhile longer, passing each other as they circled the octagon at their own pace. The exploration soothed Violet’s mood. Being inside a beautiful feat of spectacular engineering was rather humbling and offered welcome perspective. She’d survived without Nick and would continue to do so, just like this five-hundred-year-old room.
“Are you ready to continue on?” Simon asked near the top of the stairs.
“Yes.” She joined him, and he offered his arm. As they descended, she hoped they would run into someone in the nave so that she could launch her plan to make him look like a hero.
Hewasa hero, she decided. His care for Nick—and for her—made him a rare man.
On the last step before the landing that sent a branch of stairs toward the cloisters, her heel slipped. She tripped, her legs giving out as she tumbled forward.
And Simon didn’t stop her.
She fell onto the stone, her hands breaking her fall so that she didn’t slam her face into the floor.
“Dear God,Violet.” Simon was at her side in an instant, rolling her to her back.
She blinked up at him and tried to regain her bearings. Her heart beat furiously, and she felt shaky all over. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe deeply.
He scooped his hand beneath her back, elevating her from the cold stone. He cupped his hand against her neck. She opened her eyes to see him staring down at her.
“Tell me you’re all right,” he demanded. His usually affable expression was stark with terror, his eyes dark and his lips pale.
“I am. I think.” Her hands hurt, but the pain was already beginning to lessen. She’d twisted her ankle a bit, but even that was improving as she began to realize she was out of danger. When she’d slipped, the rest of the staircase had stretched out before her. It would’ve been a nasty tumble to the nave.
With a shiver, she turned her head to look. And instantly froze. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, their eyes fixated on Violet in Simon’s arms were Lady Nixon, Mrs. Law, Mrs. Stinnet, and Mrs. Padmore. The four worst people that could witness this event.
“Simon,” Violet whispered urgently.
His gaze shifted down the stairs, and she felt him stiffen immediately.
“Good heavens, what’s happened?” Lady Nixon cried.
“Did youfall?” Mrs. Law’s question was thick with accusation. The implication was clear—Simon was once again alone with a woman who’d tumbled down the stairs.
“I tripped,” Violet said loudly. “Help me up,” she said far more quietly, so that just Simon could hear her.
He lifted her to stand. “Are you sure you’re all right?” he murmured.
“A little shaken, but I’m fine.” She kept her voice low, then flashed a brilliant smile at their unwanted audience. She curled her arm around Simon’s, and they started down the stairs.
Others had joined the spectators, including Hannah and her husband, Sir Barnard and Lady Kingman, Diana, and Nick. He stared up at them, his expression far more readable than normal. His eyes were wide with apprehension and his jaw set as if he clenched his teeth.
When Violet and Simon were a few steps from the bottom, someone whispered, “Did hepushher?” Violet recognized that shrill voice as belonging to Lady Nixon.
Simon’s entire frame went completely stiff. Violet could feel the discomfort radiating from him. She squeezed his arm and threw a malevolent look toward the viscountess. “He didnot. And I won’t tolerate such nasty rumors.”
Lady Nixon gave her an imperious stare. “There is no rumor. I merely asked a question.”
“Which I’ve answered,” Violet said coolly. “Indeed, the Duke saved me from a nasty fall. I’m quite fortunate he was there to rescue me.” She turned her head to Simon and smiled. He looked at her in confusion and then abruptly turned his head away. Offering a bright smile, she said, “Shall we continue our tour?”
He nodded, but turned her back toward the west entrance. “I need to go.” His voice was small, strangled.
“No, we should continue the tour as if nothing happened.” She exhaled in frustration. “Nothingdid happen.”
“You did almost fall down the stairs. And I didn’t save you.”
She looked at him again, hating the darkness in his tone. “Nor did you push me. I slipped.” She paused, her fingers digging into his arm. “You mustn’t blame yourself. I won’t allow it.”
