Page 21 of The Lord's Compass
Despite Eric’s commitment to do as Faith wished when it came time to change her clothes and do other business in the cabin, he couldn’t leave every time for it would become far too suspicious.
And so, that night, Faith had to grit her teeth and trust that he wouldn’t turn around while she was changing and using the wash basin to rinse herself. He hummed a tune as he faced the door, apparently completely unaffected by her actions.
When she was finished and securely covered in her nightgown and wrapper, he walked over and held his hands out.
“What is it?” she asked, and he nodded to her hand.
“I’d like to see your injuries.”
“Why?”
“To check on them and rewrap the bandage,” he said, reaching out and lifting it, turning it one way and the next. “It is certainly bruised,” he murmured. “Does it hurt?”
“Only if I bump it into anything,” she said. “Otherwise it is fine.”
“Can I rewrap it?” he asked, and she nodded.
“Very well.”
He sat on the edge of the bed, patting the blankets next to him and she took a seat. He tugged her hand into his lap, and Faith inhaled sharply at the hard length of his thigh against hers. He certainly didn’t provide her with much space, but then, neither did he push her toward anything further than she was comfortable with, which she appreciated.
He had, so far, been a gentleman – which was more than she could have asked for, especially considering that he hadn’t agreed to her accompanying him on this journey until it was too late.
Eric was gentle as he unwrapped the bandage from her hand and then carefully washed the cuts below before wrapping it in a clean bandage.
“Thank you,” she said, and he nodded.
“Hopefully it shall heal quickly. You are a healthy young woman.”
“Not that young,” she muttered, but he waved away her words.
“Well, you are a married woman now,” he teased, and she rolled her eyes.
“For a few weeks,” she said.
“True,” he said, unrolling the blankets down next to the bed again.
“Eric,” she said with a sigh, “you cannot sleep there again.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Because you were obviously in pain last night.”
“Why would you think that?” he asked indignantly.
“I appreciate your attempts to make it seem as though you were fine, but I could tell that the floorboards hurt you, the way you were limping around the room this morning,” she said. “Surely there must be a better situation.”
“I cannot exactly see one,” he said.
“You could…” she cleared her throat. “You could sleep on the bed with me.”
“No,” he said swiftly, surprising her. Here she thought he would think that to be a phenomenal idea. “I cannot.”
“Why not?” she asked, somewhat affronted.
“It just… it just would not be good,” he said, shaking his head as he stood and began to back away. “Can you just trust me on this?”
“Not to worry,” she said. “I will not try to seduce you and trick you into marriage.”
