The Formidable Earl (Diamonds in the Rough #6) - Sophie Barnes Page 0,59

accepted the plate containing two slices of buttered bread, some ham, grapes, and a few pieces of apple. Starting with the bread, she took a bite and realized she was actually quite hungry. So she took another bite while Simon shifted closer and went to work on the bandage, slowly unwinding it as if he feared too swift a movement might cause her additional pain. His fingers grazed the sides of her head, and his gentle movements made her feel cherished.

Maybe he truly did care, but his inability to prove it when it had counted had felt like a horrible betrayal. Not that it should have surprised her. She’d known he cared about how other people perceived him. It was what had driven him to pick Gabriella as his intended countess, the reason why he’d not tried to fix things with Coventry, and why he’d not voiced his belief in her father’s innocence. And yet, she’d still been disappointed in him. Perhaps because he’d turned from her the very same evening she’d realized she was willing to suffer whatever heartache might come as long as she could be his.

She would have sacrificed every future happiness for him, the innocence that ought to belong to her husband, only to find that he was unwilling to give up his unblemished reputation in return. As a man – an earl, no less – his association with her would one day be forgotten. People would find something else to talk about. They would invite him back into their midst, and he would move on as if none of this ever happened. But she…her innocence would be gone forever, and she very much feared her heart would never recover from the attachment she’d surely feel once she gave herself to him completely.

“Hold still for a moment,” he murmured. Rising, he went to the washstand. When he returned, he brought a damp cloth which he pressed to the spot where she hurt the most. “It looks like it bled a bit more. Redding says head wounds can do that. They don’t need to be deep in order to bleed a lot.”

“The coolness feels good. It’s soothing.”

He moved the cloth slightly, back and forth, pressing here, then there, as if trying to clean her. “I think that looks good.”

Ida froze as he leaned in farther as if to study her head more closely. She took a deep breath, and was instantly met by his familiar scent. Sandalwood filled the air, swirling around her and creating a pull so strong she nearly forgot she wasn’t yet ready to trust him completely. To her relief, he stood, adding distance, and went to collect a clean compress and bandage.

“There we are,” he said with a hint of satisfaction once he’d finished redressing her wound. He took the empty plate from her and set it aside, helped her lie back down. “You should get some more rest.”

“So should you. Come lie down beside me. Don’t go.” Her eyes drifted shut with exhaustion. She heard him move around the room. There was some shuffling. A few more sounds followed, and then he was climbing onto the bed beside her. The warm touch of his hand offered comfort, prompting Ida to snuggle up closer. It might not be wise, but she didn’t care. Right now, all she wanted was to know he was there. She started to drift, only to be reminded of something else – something very important. “I was pushed, Simon. Someone made me fall.”

“I know. Go to sleep. We’ll figure it all out later.”

Reassured by his words, Ida slipped back into oblivion.

When she woke again later, the room was darker than before. Her head still hurt like the devil, but at least she felt more like herself and less like a half-conscious invalid. Sweeping her hand out, she reached for Simon and was disappointed to find him gone.

She pushed herself up on her elbow and flexed her feet. Right. Time to get up.

With careful movements since each sent a piercing pain straight through her head, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat. So far so good. Glimpsing the glass she’d drunk from earlier, she picked it up and was relieved to find it half full.

After downing the last of the water, she stood and took a moment to assess her balance. No dizziness or weakness. Her legs would hold.

Bolstered by this, she sparked a flame using the flint she kept on her nightstand and lit