My God, it must be her!
Selena Bowles.
But how? And why was she here? And where was her mother, Lady Bowles?
As if in response, Selena muttered her mother’s name, and a tear squeezed past her closed eyelid, trailing down her face.
Gently, he wiped it away with his thumb, leaving a streak across her mud-caked cheek.
He raked his hands through his hair.
He was having trouble making sense of this.
He was taken aback. More than taken aback. He was dumbfounded.
He blew out a ragged breath.
She’s not supposed to be here.
She was meant to arrive in a few weeks with her mother and his parents for Christmas.
So, we can become better acquainted.
Hell, they weren’t acquainted at all.
Gerald had already decided to speak with his parents about putting off the wedding. At first, he’d told himself it was because he still had much to accomplish at Bellwood.
But the truth was, he didn’t want an arranged marriage.
He wanted what his parents had, a loving union that had stood the test of time. He wanted what his sister Diana had with the Marquess of Banbury, a partnership of equals—full of love, laughter, and passion.
“Oh God, oh God, oh God!” A terrible thought flashed in his mind. His sister, Dianahad been thrown from her horsea few years back and the accident had left her blind. Thank goodness her sight eventually returned. But it wasn’t immediate—nor had it been expected.
He prayed Doctor Baker would get there soon.
The young woman moaned again, muttering something unintelligible.
He lay his hand over hers, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Everything’s going to be all right. I promise.” Guilt washed over him. He may have decided he couldn’t marry her, but he certainly didn’t want her to be in pain or suffer.
All these thoughts swirled through his mind in a matter of moments, as he watched over her. If he hadn’t seen her eyes, he would never have guessed it was Selena. Her face was caked with mud and the makeshift bandage he’d wrapped around her covered her entire forehead. Her braid had come unraveled, and her long dark hair lay in tangles over her shoulders. Slowly, he reached out to move the wet hair from her face but jumped back like a guilty boy caught with his hand in the biscuit tin, as a flurry of footsteps approached.
“My lord, we are here, do not fear,” Mrs. Evans, the housekeeper hummed as she bustled into the room, followed by three maids, with armfuls of supplies. The older woman clucked her tongue like a mother hen as she took in the small, wan figure on the bed. “Poor wee lass.”
“I wrapped a cloth around her head injury. She has no broken bones,” he explained as the maids assembled the various items next to the bed, including a large pot of steaming water, soap, bandages, washcloths, and clean towels.
Gerald’s eyes watered as one of the maids poured vinegar into the steaming water. He trusted Mrs. Evans, who had a true gift when it came to tending wounds and various ailments.
“Rest assured, my lord, the lass is in good hands,” Mrs. Evans said, patting him on the arm. “I instructed the lads toready a hot bath for you. And the cook prepared a hearty beef stew for supper.” She waved him off. “Off you go, now. I’m sure you have plenty to discuss with Angus.”
Hands on her hips, she gave him a firm nod, effectively dismissing him.
Gerald sighed, trusting that Selena was in good hands. He slipped out, closing the door behind him.
Mrs. Evans was right. She would see to Selena’s care until Doctor Baker arrived.
His mind was bursting with questions and the only way he could get any answers was to speak to the young woman who was currently lying in a bed in his guest room, unconscious with a head injury.
Chapter Four
