“Now, we need to do something about that ankle of yours,” he said.
Startled, she turned too quickly and lost her balance.Shewould have fallen again had the earl not rushed over to catch her.
“Thankyou.”Well, that was quite gallant, she thought.Atleast that rumor was true.
“Mustyou keep toppling over?” he grumbled as he lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the settee.
Onsecond thought.Notso gallant after all.
Hemust have seen her wince because he squatted down and lifted her skirt.
“Whatin the blazes are you doing, my lord?”
“I’mgoing to examine your foot.”Helifted her right foot, unlaced her boot, and slid it off.Heexamined it with surprising gentleness, given his generally gruff manner.Lucycouldn’t help but shiver at the touch of his fingers on her skin.Eventhrough her stockings.Neverever in her life had a man touched her in such an intimate way.
“Areyou cold?” he asked.Hisvoice sounded strained.
“No, but your voice sounds awfully raspy,” she blurted. “Perhapsyou’re catching a cold, my lord.”
“Hardly.”Hislips twitched as though he were suppressing a smile.
Honestly, he was so very contrary.Yellingat her one moment and then almost smiling the next.
“I’llneed something to wrap your ankle.It’salready quite swollen.”Helifted her foot onto a nearby chair.Andstood back up. “Donot move.”
“Isthat an order?”
“Yes.”
Buthis lips twitched again in that almost-but-not-quite-a smile as he walked out of the parlor.
Hereturned a few minutes later with a knife and a sheet. “Idoubt there are any rolled bandages around here, so we’ll make do with this sheet.”Heproceeded to tear a long strip off and then gently wrapped it around her foot and ankle.
“Stayput.Restyour ankle and try to keep it elevated.Ineed to fetch more water from the well so we’ll have enough for our meal.I’llbe right back.Oncewe get the water heating,I’llprepare a meal and find you some dry clothing.Ifyou aren’t averse to wearing men’s clothing,Ihave some upstairs.Iwill get them whenIreturn.”
“Iwear breeches at home whenIride,” she said. “Itshouldn’t be hard to change out of the riding habit.Thankyou.Foreverything.”
Heinclined his head, and this time, his smile was definitely a smile.
~*~
Rowangrabbed two buckets and trudged through the snow to the well.Luckily, the previous earl had had the wherewithal to dig a deep well just a few feet from the door that led to the kitchen garden.Anotherwell was close to the stable, and several more were scattered throughout the property.Hookingthe bucket onto the rope, he released the pulley until he heard a splash, then pulled the bucket back up.Herepeated the process with the other bucket, his mind wandering toLucy.
He’dnever met a woman who had so much pluck and yet was so innocent at the same time.GoodLord, she’d had no idea how she’d affected him as he tended to her ankle.Anda shapely ankle it was.Hercalf, as well.Clearly, she spent a great deal of time walking and riding.Herather liked that about her.Evenin a snowstorm, with a sprained ankle and clutching that fox, she’d handled her horse with grace.Itwasn’t until they’d reached the manor that she could no longer hold onto the reins.Mostwomen would be either crying or fainting in such a situation.She’dwanted to hop around.He’dhad to carry her to keep her from hurting herself.Although, if he were honest with himself, he’d thoroughly enjoyed it.
Hecarried the buckets back into the kitchen, poured the water into a pot, and set it on the hook over the fire he’d set in the kitchen hearth.Theflames had begun to die down, and he added more wood.
“I’mboiling water for tea,” he said, returning to the parlor. “AndI’llget some snow for your ankle.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary.I’llbe right as rain soon enough.”
“No, you won’t.I’veseen every kind of injury there is in my time, and you need to ice your foot and keep it elevated.Noarguments.”
Shesighed. “Iapologize for sounding like a child.Iappreciate everything you’re doing for me.”
“Ididn’t think you were acting like a child.Ido think you’re stubborn, however.”
“Stubborn?”
