Free Realm 07 - A Touch of Honor by Regina Jeffers Page B

from his life, along with his admission. “When Lady Fiona abandoned her position in my father’s household, the former baron’s hopes for a large family vanished; therefore, the baron became quite obsessed with the line not ending before I could assume the title. To make a long story much shorter, when my father passed, I meant to see more of the world than my estate in Yorkshire,” he confessed.
    She said with all wide-eyed innocence, “To prove yourself invincible.”
    John felt the heat rise to his cheeks. “I am far from indestructible,” he declared. “The war proved none of us are.” He sighed melodramatically. “But, yes, I needed to prove…”
    Without artifice, Miss Neville reached across the table to squeeze the back of John’s hand, making him tense all over, but it was with awareness, not repulsion. “You are remarkable, Sir,” she whispered. “Most men would have accepted their futures without thinking upon the fault.”
    John stilled, as if afraid to accept the lady’s praise. “It was the most foolhardy of acts, but it was also brilliant. I learned so much about myself and of the world.”
    Before Miss Neville could respond, a raspy voice called him from the lady’s closeness. “John?”
    He rose quickly to be at his wife’s side. “I am here.” He knelt beside her bed and smoothed Satiné’s hair from her cheek.
    “I heard voices,” she said through dry lips.
    Miss Neville appeared above him. “It is I, Baroness. I came to assist the baron with your care.”
    Satiné forced her eyes to focus on him and her companion. “Could I…change my things?”
    “Certainly, my Dear.” John had shifted out the bedding, but he had not provided his wife a fresh nightrail. Somehow, it felt inappropriate for him to undress her. They had yet to share such intimacies, and he was not certain he could control his lust if he touched Satiné intimately. He stood to lift her from the bed. “I will straighten the bedding if you will permit Miss Neville to assist you.” He carried her to the chair he had recently abandoned.
    Satiné’s head rested heavily on his shoulder. “Why the blanket?” she whispered against his neck, and John relished her closeness.
    “To block the light from disturbing your sleep,” he explained.
    She nodded weakly. “May I have some broth or some bread?”
    John assured, “I will see to it immediately.”
    Miss Neville appeared beside him. “I have found another gown among the baroness’s belongings. I shall dress your lady, Sir, while you call in at the galley.”
    John caressed Satiné’s arm before saying, “Thank you, Miss Neville. I shan’t be long. Do not move the baroness without my assistance.” He presented them with a quick bow before exiting.
    *
    Isolde glanced to the door. “Your husband has been most attentive, Ma’am.”
    Satiné Swenton appeared bleary eyed, but her tongue remained sharp. “Ma’am?” she murmured harshly. “One day a woman…is a girl…a ‘Miss’…the next…she is a ‘Ma’am.’”
    Isolde unbuttoned her mistress’s gown. “It is the way of the world, Baroness.” Ignoring the girl’s soft protests, she wrestled the sweat-soiled gown from Lady Satiné’s body. Although the girl had recently given birth, Lady Swenton was quite thin. Too thin in Isolde’s estimation. She was far from knowing a full figure, but in contrast with the Baroness Swenton, Isolde was an Amazon. “Would you care for a quick wash, M…?” Isolde stifled the word “Ma’am” before it escaped her lips.
    “Perhaps next time,” Lady Swenton said weakly.
    Isolde nodded her acceptance and set about dressing the girl in a clean nightrail. “Shall I brush your hair? Plait it for you?”
    “Brush it,” the baroness instructed. Her head turned to take in her surroundings. “I see you have kept my husband company,” she charged as her eyes fell on the chessboard.
    Isolde’s lips twisted in disapproval. “I meant to provide the baron with a