Passion and Propriety (Hearts of Honour Book 1) by Elise de Sallier Page B

not like you’ll have it on display. It will be covered up with a shirt and jacket . . . or a nightshirt.”
    “At least I’ve no wife to faint in horror at the sight.”
    “Precisely.” While touched by his plight, she refused to indulge his inclination towards self-pity, personally aware of how damaging it could be. “Though I think you’re underestimating the fortitude of the fairer sex, my lord. We do have to endure the rigours of childbirth . . . well, those blessed to have the opportunity. I can’t see that exposure to a scar would cause any great distress in comparison.”
    “Well said.” The compassion evident in his gaze triggered unexpected tears to prick the backs of her lids. “We make quite the pair, don’t we?”
    Hannah hadn’t been asking for his pity and, under the guise of needing to dispose of his soiled bandage, she made a hasty escape.

Chapter 11
    Honourable
    William waited impatiently for Hannah’s return. She was the first and only woman he had ever cared for, and he couldn’t help but savour every bittersweet moment of their diminishing time together. Fool that he was. His future was bleak enough without adding lovelorn to his lot. Summoning what sense he had remaining, he committed to at least attempting to safeguard his heart from harm. He imagined the best protection was to find a purpose with which to fill his days.
    Foremost on his agenda, alongside making as full a recovery as his sorely abused body would allow, was seeing to the restoration of his inheritance. As long as he didn’t take advantage of Hannah in the process, he told himself there was no danger in enlisting her help to fulfil his mission. She was clearly a sensible woman—well respected in the community, or so Dawkins assured him—and sure to know where the greatest needs lay.
    William snorted. The honourablething would be to send her away, yet here he was searching for excuses to keep her with him. Testament to his folly, his eyes lit up when Hannah entered the room.
    “You’ve already eaten?” She frowned, staring at the dinner tray on the bed beside him.
    “I didn’t want to bother you.” Her expression led him to believe she was not pleased, his lack of experience with the fairer sex leaving him uncertain as to why. “I managed to feed myself unaided,” he added before grimacing. He sounded like a child boasting to his nursemaid. Her lips curved in a smirk, and William bit back the profanity he was tempted to utter. At least he’d made her smile.
    It suited her, as did the way she’d arranged her honey-coloured hair with loose curls framing her face. She was wearing his favourite gown, the blue one with the enticingly low bodice. For modesty’s sake, she’d added a lace-trimmed fichu, but it was possible to catch a glimpse of cleavage . . . if one looked closely.
    To distract himself, William quizzed her about the needs of the locals and which issues she considered a priority, a picture soon emerging of a district stricken with poverty and unemployment. Most of the farmland lay fallow, and those who had work were employed in the mines. There was no great censure in Hannah’s tone, but he sensed perplexity at his ignorance.
    “What did you mean by another cottage fire?” he asked. “I take it there have been previous fires.”
    “Many, I’m afraid.” Her words settled like a stone in his gut. “The buildings are terribly dilapidated. The roofs leak, the chimneys are blocked and crumbling. That’s where the danger lies.”
    William shook his head, dislodging the band that had tied his hair in place. “I directed every penny earned in rent to be used for maintenance and improvements, not to mention paying extra for major refurbishments as needed. This should be the most well-kept district in England.”
    “It appears Mr Grantham has a great deal to answer for.”
    William sighed. “As do I.”
    “Why did you not come to check in person or send a representative to ensure your will