“She’s mute.”
“It is kind of you to employ her.”
He shrugged. “It also ensures she will not tell tales of what happens here in the rooms of the Alabaster House.”
What seemed like kindness now reeked of a calculated choice. Every time she thought she saw the slightest glimmer of compassion in Talen, he quickly dissuaded her from the notion.
“That is what this place is called? The Alabaster House?” She’d never been sure if that was a nickname because of the building or the real name of the establishment.
“Aye.” He set the book onto the gilded side table by the chair.
She nodded, more to herself than to him. “What are you doing in here?”
“I came to check on the progress of your healing.”
“You didn’t expect me to be sleeping?”
“I can look you over asleep or awake.”
“You’ve been in here while I was asleep?”
“Aye.”
A shiver skittered down her spine. Heaven to hell, why had Juliet sent her to this man? Had she just traded one overbearing ogre for another? “So, what is your assessment?”
“The bruises are fading and the swelling has mostly subsided about your face. You heal fast.” He took a step to the side, turning away from her to assess the room. “Why is it that you aren’t already asleep?”
“My mind is restless and I cannot sleep.”
He looked over his shoulder at her. “Do the sounds from below keep you awake?”
“No. Fear. The past. Those things keep me awake.” Her gaze landed on his light blue eyes and her breath caught in her throat. It was hard to look at him and not obsess upon the fact that he was Conner.
She was sure of it. Sure of it still. More sure than she’d been days ago when her mind had still been hazy and she could only see out of one eye.
Not that she dared to bring up the topic again. She wasn’t yet ready to get kicked out of this place and be on her own. She had to make plans first. Plans as to what she would do next.
Talen turned fully toward her. “You don’t think you’re safe here?”
It took her a long second to realize the offense on his face. She shook her head. “No, you mistake me. It is not a fear of this place. I do feel safe here. And the food has been most tasty and this room is grand, so I have nothing to complain upon.”
His lips quirked to the side. “But you have a complaint?”
She stood, her hand flattening across her stomach. “I haven’t been out of this room in days. I am starting to imagine I’m going mad, trapped in a room like this with nothing but my thoughts and the cherubs above and theSystem of Sheep-Grazing and Management.”
The slightest chuckle passed his lips. “It can be stimulating reading. Do you agree with the Romney Marsh system or the traditional method?”
“The Romney Marsh system by far. It seems to spare the trauma of the ewes, especially if there is a lost lamb but a suitable replacement when twins are born by another ewe. With some centered attention on lambing, one gets happy ewes. Happy ewes make happy lambs.”
A smile actually took root across his face and he took a step closer to her. His right hand lifted, his fingertips going onto the bandages that wrapped her left arm in place along the splint. “Are you going to tell me who broke you like this?”
Her mouth pulled into a tight line. Of course. This again. He wasn’t just there to check on her healing, he was there to demand answers from her. She shook her head.
For a long moment he stared at her, his gaze searing into her. The smile vanished from his face with a sigh. “What am I to do with you?”
“You don’t need to do anything with me, Mr. Blackstone.”
“Except I do. And it’s Talen.” His hand lifted farther and the knuckle of his finger stroked the side of her cheek. “Your cheeks have healed—I can see your face, your eyes, now.”