’Twas a long minute before he spoke her name. “Gwendolyn, my mother, Lady Madelyn, must see to your wounds. She’s a healer and saw to your care last eve. My sister, Isabelle, is here as well, and, Gavin, my first-in-command. Anna is in the room now, too. She’s served our family for years, and will see that you have anything you need.”

He gently laid her on the bed and watched as his mother brushed the hair back from her forehead. The effects of his mother’s potion obviously were working as Gwendolyn remained still while gentle hands unwound her bandages, cleaned her abrasions, and wrapped them once again.

“Gwendolyn, I must see to the wounds on your eyes,” Lady Madelyn explained, sitting next to her on the bed. “You mustn’t open them; the skin was rubbed raw. I can assure you, ’twill cause great pain if you do.”

Greylen watched Gwendolyn wince as the cool air made contact with the exposed skin, but she remained motionless as his mother applied ointment and covered them once again.

“I’ll have Anna bring a tray and perhaps later you’ll have a hot bath to ease the aches you surely must feel. Isabelle will return shortly, and I will check on you later.”

“Thank you, Lady Madelyn,” Gwendolyn said.

“You’re quite welcome, dear.”

As everyone shuffled from the room, Greylen took his mother’s instructions for Gwendolyn as well as giving a few of his own to Gavin. Alone again, he sat in the chair he’d brought from the sitting area by the fireplace last eve and watched her sleep. He amended his thoughts seconds later when she rolled onto her side to face him.

“Greylen?”

“Aye?”

“I need your mother again, or Isabelle. Please.”

He knew exactly what she needed but wasn’t about to let anyone back in his chamber yet. “Can you manage on your own, if I carry you?”

“Yes.”

He cradled her before him and carried her to the bathing chamber, leaving only when he was sure she could in fact stand on her own. He waited just beyond the door and when she stepped through, he took her hands and washed them with a cloth before tossing it in the basin. He wasn’t sure if her blush was from having to be carried to the garderobe for its use or the intimacy shared by his doing so.

“This is becoming a habit, Greylen,” she grumbled sleepily, but her lips curved slightly in a smile.

“’Tis only the beginning, Gwendolyn.”

“You sound pretty sure of yourself.”

“I am.”

“That’s it?” she asked, giving his chest a poke. “I am,” she mimicked.

“Aye,” he drawled, not expounding. He sensed her exhaustion and wished only to see her rest. He carried her back into his chamber and leaned down to place her beneath the covers.

“No,” Gwendolyn pleaded, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I don’t want to go back to bed.” She must have noted his hesitation, because she hurried on. “Please, can’t I rest somewhere else?”