Page 35 of A Courtesan Countess Worth the Scandal
Finally, he brushed that strand of hair from her shoulder, and inwardly parroted her earlier sentiment.
Where were you a decade ago?
Chapter Fifteen
Amisty dawn rose upon the outbuilding; the morning sky cautiously bleaching away the shadows from night’s inky influence, turning it from bluish black, to a hazy purple, to the first sullen grays that heralded more snow clouds.
Nora awoke slowly, her body stiff and her leg throbbing with the aftermath of the robber’s blade. It took her a moment to remember where she was, and yet another moment to figure out whose arms were wrapped tightly around her, and whose chest her cheek rested against.
When did we fall asleep?
The paltry fire they had lit had long since reduced itself to ashes, and there seemed little point in relighting it when they would soon leave. Small snowdrifts had gathered throughout the outbuilding, where the flakes had fallen through gaps in the roof, bringing in an icy draft. Surprised, she raised herself carefully on her elbow to spy a closer look at Liam’s sleeping face.
I do believe we saved each other’s lives last night, Liam.
She smiled, despite the initial shock of awakening in a man’s arms, for she knew that if they had not fallen asleep together in this manner, they likely would have frozen to death while they slumbered. That, and knowing that Liam was not the sort to try and take advantage of her vulnerability. Indeed, he seemed more afraid of intimacy than she was.
You are handsome… especially asleep.
There was safety in his lack of consciousness, regardless of how he might have appeared. She did not trust waking men, nor did she really like them, but there was something intriguing about watching someone sleeping.
She observed his smooth, pale skin, dotted with faint freckles across his sharply defined nose and slightly flushed cheeks. For some reason, she wanted to touch those faded constellations, but she held herself back in case she woke him. Instead, she concentrated on his fine, full lips, and strong jaw, culminating in a hint of a dimple on his chin. And his wavy brown hair contained flecks of dark blond and toffee hues that she had not seen before, but seemed to make him less stark in his demeanor.
Truly, it was the first time she had seen him looking peaceful, without those constant lines of strain and worry upon his brow. When he had defended her against Lord Westleigh, he had worn an expression of anger and revulsion. Last night, there had been pain, and concern, and confusion, with perhaps a touch of intimidation… but now, he looked so very sweet and at ease.
“I wonder if you sleep well when you are alone?” she whispered, one palm pressed to his firm chest. Liam’s coat covered them both like a blanket, adding an extra layer of unexpected seclusion to their mutual rest.
She eyed the darkened crescents underneath his eyes and reasoned that he was not accustomed to slumbering well, though she could not fully ascertain why. He seemed to be a healthy, strong, athletic young man. True, he had told her some of his life’s woes last night, but she had a feeling he had left something rather important out of their conversation. Something large and terrifying enough to keep him awake at night.
“I have seen hollows like that before, Liam,” she murmured. “The orphans have the same ones, and they don’t sleep well, either. What hurt you? Was it just your Mother and Father, or is there something more to you that I don’t yet understand?”
His eyelids flickered. “Hm?”
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” she replied softly, as his warm, golden brown eyes creaked open.
A second later, they flew wide in alarm. “What is the meaning of this?” He looked as though he might throw her away from him, as he stared at her, to her hand on his chest, then down to his arms around her, and back up to the coat draped over them both.
“We fell asleep, Liam,” she explained. “I admit, it’s not how I expected to be waking up, but we’d have perished without each other’s body heat. Do you remember me telling you about how my Mother and I used to sleep, wrapped up in one another’s arms?”
She hoped to placate any possible anger by reminding him that such a sleeping arrangement could be platonic, and even beneficial, by nature. She did not know why she felt the need to do so, when neither of them had done anything wrong, but she supposed her usual instincts were coming into play. Ordinarily, her life and safety relied on her ability to ease the rage of any men who might seek to harm her.
Liam seemed to relax slightly. “I apologize if I have startled you. I… did not expect to awaken like this, either.” She noticed he did not remove his arms from around her. “Are you warm enough? Do you feel unwell? If you have a fever from your injury, we ought to find you a physician or someone of that ilk in a nearby village.”
“I’m quite well.” She touched her leg shyly. “How about you? Bruises have a tendency to hurt more the next day, while cuts hurt worse on the third or fourth day.”
Slowly, he raised himself into a sitting position, one arm still around her back. “They are, indeed, sore, but I do believe I shall live.” The ghost of a smile formed upon his lips. “Do you know, I thought I had endured the worst of nightmares, and yet it is something of a relief to wake up and find that it was real. Is that peculiar?”
“Not at all,” she said. “You can’t escape from nightmares, but you have control over what happens when you are conscious.”
His eyebrows lifted slightly. “That is very profound. I had not thought of it like that.” He licked his dry lips. “Did I tell you last night that I am prone to nightmares?”
“You didn’t.” She canted her head. “Is that why you have these?” Boldly, she traced a fingertip across the almost-bruised crescents beneath his eyes.
He flinched but did not push her away. “I imagine so. My friends always complain that I shout so loudly in the night that I keep them awake in their own bedchambers.” He paused, that worry returning to his forehead. “Did you sleep soundly, or did I disturb you?”
“I slept like a babe that hasn’t a care in the world,” she admitted, thinking it would bring him comfort. Instead, it only served to deepen his frown.
“How odd. I cannot recall a single night where I have not thrashed or called out. Even upon my travels, these last five years, I could never truly rest contentedly.” He eyed her warily, as though he suspected she had put some sort of spell upon him.
