But this didn’t fall into any of those categories. This was a frown. And frowns made him look different. They made him seem more mature, more serious.
And that look in his eyes?
Was that…?
She couldn’t be certain.
And then it didn’t matter because the room was spinning. That panicky sensation giving way to a sick feeling that was enhanced a million times over by the familiar scent of this room, with its wood polish and that musty stench from the curtains.
“Miss Potter—oh curse it. Pru, are you all right?”
The room ceased spinning just long enough for her to catch sight of the concern in his eyes.
Concern. Now that was definitely a new look from this man.
That was the last thought she had before she lost all sight and the room went dark.
4
Damian’s heart stopped when Prudence collapsed.
Instinct had him rushing over to her and catching her just before her head made contact with the floor. But now he was stuck holding her in an awkward grip, half crouching and half kneeling as he attempted to gently lower her weight.
He might not like Prudence but he had no wish to see her harmed.
In fact, the sight of her lying prostrate like this, all vulnerable and fragile and—
Pfft. He let out a little scoff of rueful amusement. Fragile? Prudence? Hardly. The girl was a force of nature.
And yet…
He tapped her cheek gently, her head lolling in his lap as he adjusted to make her comfortable. Should he call for assistance?
Most likely.
He stared down at her features, so sweet when they weren’t pinched in distaste or pursed with judgement. So surprisingly...pretty.
He frowned down at her as he felt for her pulse at her neck. Steady. Her chest was rising and falling normally.
He was no doctor but she seemed to have merely fainted. And truth be told, the last thing he wanted was another run-in with her great aunt. More importantly, he had no desire to give the Dowager Demon another reason to criticize poor Pru.
Poor Pru. He exhaled loudly in exasperation. He’d never felt sorry for this girl before and he wasn’t keen on the feeling. More, he had a suspicion that she would hate it if she knew he was pitying her.
But he couldn’t quite shake the sight of her when she’d been bearing the brunt of her aunt’s harsh words. Even from behind he could see it, the way her normally rigid posture seemed to slump beneath her aunt’s criticisms. And when she’d turned, he’d seen it in her eyes. The sort of weary resignation he’d never thought to see in someone so rigidly sure of herself and the world around her.
“Come on, Pru, wake up.” He shook her shoulder gently. “Wake up for me, Prudence.”
Her eyes fluttered open, her long lashes a dark sweep against her pale cheek.
She was rather pretty. Which was disturbing. At what point had priggish Prudence Pottermouth become pretty?
He frowned. He wasn’t sure he liked this change in her. She’d always been plain. A bit on the plump side, with forgettable features and frumpy clothes.
He eyed her now. All peaceful like this, he could see her with new eyes. Those features were exactly the same, but without a scowl, they weren’t plain at all.
And she was still not slim, but how had he ever found her to be plump? She was curvaceous. Luscious, even.
He tore his gaze away, back to her face.
But the clothes...those were still frumpy. If she wore something fitted, she might actually be appealing.
He felt a smirk forming as he eyed her lips, which had a perfect cupid’s bow when she wasn’t frowning.
He imagined how she’d respond if he told her that she was appealing to members of the opposite sex. She’d slap him for his impertinence, no doubt.
Her eyes shot open and he was caught grinning down at her.
She blinked, her pupils dilating as her gaze focused on him. With lightning fast movements, her eyes flickered to the left and right, up and down, taking in him and her surroundings.
He saw the moment her current position became clear to her.
“Oh! What am I...why am I…?” She didn’t bother to answer before rolling sideways off his lap, landing on all fours with all the grace and charm of a feral cat.
“Feeling better, I see.” He brushed off his pants and came to stand, reaching a hand down to help her up. She ignored it.
“What did I…?” She cut herself off and her cheeks turned a fetching shade of pink. “Oh dear.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Do you often faint, Miss Pottermouth? Or was it my company that made you swoon?”
Her lips pinched together and he just barely held back a laugh. She was just too easy to tease.
And besides, he’d discovered only today that he far preferred an irritated Pru to a pitiable one, and he suspected she felt the same.
Her gaze dropped but her chin went up as she stiffened her spine and clasped her hands together before her. “I apologize.”
He gave a snort of amusement. “Apologize? You?”
Her gaze flicked up to meet his as her brows drew down. “A proper gentleman would ease my discomfort and pretend this never happened.”
“Yes, well, this gentleman thinks an apology is ridiculous. It wasn’t as though you intended to fall at my feet.” He found far too much enjoyment in the way her blush spread. “Or did you?”
She blinked in surprise, her brows arching. “Pardon me?”
“Admit it.” He took a few steps toward her, feeling more alert and alive than he had in...oh, ages. Funny, he’d always despised this girl but he’d forgotten how diverting it could be to tease her. “You were looking for a way to wind up in my arms.”
She smacked his arm so quickly it made his head jerk back, with such force that he found himself cradling his left bicep. “Was that really necessary?”
“Yes.” She tilted her chin up with such dignity, one would never imagine that she’d been strewn across his lap, limp as a
