She held her breath, praying Devon would not wake until the deed was done. A low groan emitted from him when Jasper pulled the arrow free, but his eyes never opened nor did he resist as she pressed the hot, damp cloth to his wound.
She reached for the decanter, pouring liquor into the hole left by her arrow.
Devon’s body twitched then jerked and he yelled out, “Bloody hell.”
“I must sterilize the wound, leastwise infection will set in.” Josie held the decanter to his lips as Felton held Devon’s head aloft from the pillows. “Drink.”
He took a sip followed by a copious guzzle.
“Good. Now try to remain still while I clean your wound.” She gave a smile she hoped would lend him some comfort. “I know this is unpleasant but I assure you it is necessary.”
Devon released a huff of breath. “Be quick.”
CHAPTER 3
Devon fought through the fog clogging his mind. Clarity seeped in as he forced his heavy eyes open. Josie… That is what the others had called her. I promise not to leave your side, her words played through his mind. He rolled his head to the side, searching.
A grin spread across his dry lips when he caught sight of her. She sat curled in the leather chair beside his bed, her eyes closed. The curtains had been left open and a stream of fading sunlight washed over her creating highlights and shadows over her features. She had one arm resting on the side of the chair, her head lay upon it with her dark curls spread over her arm and cascading over the chairs arm. His fingers twitched with the desire to touch her.
He’d love to tangle is hands in her hair, run a finger over her slightly parted lips. Devon waged they would both be soft, welcoming. The lady had caught his eye upon their first meeting. Now, he was well and truly intrigued. She was not only beautiful, but complex as well.
Soft footsteps echoed in the hall followed by the creak of his door. He closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. At the moment he did not wish to visit with anyone, save for the sleeping angel beside his bed.
“I’ve brought supper.” The swish of skirts rounded his bed. “Josie, do wake up.”
Devon cracked his eyelids enough to observe another dark haired woman standing beside the chair as Josie rubbed sleep from her eyes. Sitting straight in the chair, Josie glanced at him. Devon fought the urge to grin as he pressed his eyelids closed again. The concern he saw in the brief moment her eyes flitted to him both warmed and excited him.
“Theo, you’re back,” Josie said.
“Indeed, and by the looks of things you have been rather busy in my absence.”
The clank of trays being placed on a table was followed by the shuffle of footsteps. Devon peeked long enough to see the servants retreating from his room.
“I still cannot believe I shot him. The men came from nowhere. I had been aiming at a flock of turkeys, then the men burst from the woods scaring the birds and startling me. My fingers slipped releasing my arrow. There was nothing I could do,” Josie said.
“You always were a bit skittish, dear. From what Adeline and George told me, you collected yourself immediately and took charge of the…unfortunate situation.”
“I did my best to treat the wound and see him comfortable. I dare say, I hope he forgives me for my folly when he recovers,” Josie said.
Devon’s lips twitched in amusement. He’d forgiven her the moment he realized she’d been the one behind the bow. In truth his shoulder hardly pained him at all. It had stung like the devil at first and bloody hell, the pain of having it cleaned had been unbearable, but now…it was merely a nuisance.
“Surely, he must. After all, if not for you he’d still be laying there with an untreated wound. As I hear it, the doctor has yet to arrive. Jasper said he is preoccupied with another patient in town,” Theo said.
“It matters not. The only thing he could do that I have not is dose His Grace with laudanum. I already gave him plenty of whisky, cleaned and stitched the wound. There is nothing to do now but to keep him comfortable and pray that infection does not set in.”
“I always suspected your fascination with medicine would prove useful. Now come eat. You must keep your strength up,” Theo said.
“I will. Right after I wake His Grace to eat, and assist him if necessary,” Josie said.
“No. Take care of you first.”
“Very well.” Josie’s light footsteps trailed across the carpeting followed by the gentle ping of silverware. “But once I have finished, I’m waking him.”
“I would not try to stop you. Though, I will caution you about staying too long in his chambers. The house is full of guests and you are a single lady.”
“I am taking care of my patient,” Josie protested.
“You are inviting scandal.”
“Devil take it, I do not care. I am responsible for His Grace and I will not leave his side until he is better.”
“There, there, darling. Do not get over excited. I understand and would not force you to leave him,” Theo comforted.
A few moments later Devon heard the door open and close. He peaked to find Josie seated at a small mahogany table, a plate of food before her. Her profile was cast in shadow, hiding her features from him but also allowing him to watch her unnoticed.
A cursory glance revealed that her friend, Theo, had gone. He worked to sit up against his pillows, but when he tried to bare weight on his arm a stab of pain shot through his shoulder and he groaned.
Josie raced to his bed side. “Allow me to help.” She placed her small hands behind his back and pulled him up before situating the pillows behind him. “You must not try to do too much. You’ll rip your stitches.”
Devon turned his head to study his shoulder. A patch of white cloth covered the spot where her arrow had sunk into his flesh. He reached out his other hand and peeled it back to reveal a neat row of stitches. “You did this?”
Josie nodded, her eyes wide. “Are you in much pain? Would you like some whiskey?”
“No, I am quite alright at the moment.” Devon smiled. “I have seen doctors who could not sew as well. I’ll wager the scar will barely be noticeable.” He pressed the bandage back into place. “Thank you.”
“Please do not thank me. It was the least I could do.” Josie retrieved a pitcher and poured water into a glass, then handed it to him. “You must be famished. Allow me to get you some food.”
He grinned and nodded his consent. “How long was I out for?”
“Not to very long, Your Grace. You missed luncheon and it is now supper time,” Josie said as she planed biscuits, meat, and vegetables on his plate.
Good, he’d not missed the wedding. That meant he still had plenty of time to charm the beauty. He had feared he’d lost far more than a few hours. What a way to spend his time away from home. Laid up in a sick bed. Not at all what he had envisioned when he accepted Lord Ailesbury’s invitation.
Though the mysterious lady caring for him could make it all better than he’d planned when he set off for Faversham. Aside from being shot, he found the Abbey to be a pleasant surprise. Perhaps Josie would be as well.
She carried his food to him. “Will you require assistance?”
“No, but I would like you to bring your own plate over here and eat with me.”
A pink tint blossomed on her cheeks. “As you wish, Your Grace.”
“Call me Devon. After what we have been through, I am quite certain we are past formalities.” He grinned as the color in her face deepened.
“Y-yes, I w-would have to agree.” She turned, strolling across the room.
Devon did not take his gaze from her until she’d settled back in the chair beside him. The lady seemed to be quite the puzzle. On one hand she was shy and radiated innocence, on the other she traipsed through fields welding a bow and possessed more than adequate knowledge of medicine. He chewed the bit of mutton he’d taken and swallowed before settling his attention back on her. “Where did you learn so much about medicine?”
She averted her
gaze to the floor. “I taught myself.”
She was clearly ashamed of her bookish tendencies, or at least ashamed to admit them. Devon did not blame her for society frowned upon such women. Ladys were not expected nor encouraged to be intelligent in matters that did not directly relate to household management and child rearing. He, however, appreciated a woman with brains. “You must be very smart to have learned without the aid of a skilled physician. You should be very proud of your accomplishments.”
“It is nothing, really. There is much I do not know. My skills come from hours of reading. Anyone can read a book. I am not special.”
Her tone and the words she spoke tugged at his heart. He’d only just met her and already he could tell that she was special. Smart and brave, the kind of lady anyone should be pleased to know. Why didn’t she see it? “On the contrary. We are amidst a house full of people. Only you knew how to care for my wound.”
“You give me too much credit.” She smiled.
The urge to protect her and make her see how valuable she was swept through him. If only he were free to claim her, to keep her. But he could never be the man for her and she would never be the sort for a meaningless dalliance as he’d originally hoped. All the same, he intended to keep her at his side for as long as he remained at Faversham. A selfish notion, but he did not care.
The door swung open drawing his attention as an elderly man in spectacles strode into the room. “Please forgive my tardiness, Your Grace. I am Doctor Sorrel.” He came to bow beside the bed.
“Welcome Doctor,” Josie said.
The man straightened, his gaze going to her. “If you will leave us, I can get to work.”
“She stays.” Devon peered at the doctor. He would not allow anyone to dismiss Josie.
“I can wait in the hall.” Josie stood.
“Sit.” Devon stared at her until she sank back into the chair. Turning his attention back to Doctor Sorrel, he said, “Lady Josie cleaned and bandaged the wound. She deserves to be present while you examine it.”
“Very well,” the doctor said. “Now let me have a look.” He bent over the bed then peeled the bandage away from Devon’s shoulder.
Devon winced as the doctor poked at his flesh before trailing his fingers over the stitches.
“Wiggle your fingers.”
Devon did as asked while the doctor stared at his hand.
“Now bend your elbow.”
Again, Devon complied.
“Very good.” The doctor took hold of his arm and lifted it raising his arm into the air and moving his shoulder.
Devon winced and pulled his arm free.
“Are you mad? You’ll bust his stitches.” Josie rounded the bed, coming to stand beside the doctor.
“I have no doubt you would be able to replace them if I did.” He looked at Devon. “You are lucky the damage is not great. I believe you will heal with no lasting damage. It seems the arrow did not hit any major structures.”
Devon nodded.
“You will need to keep the wound clean. Fresh bandages and pour—”
“Give your instructions to Lady Josie,” Devon cut in.
“As you wish, Your Grace.” The doctor’s face reddened as he turned to Josie. “Sterilize the wound with whiskey and replace the bandage three times a day. Morning, afternoon, and night. In a few days, I will return to remove the stitches.”
“Don’t bother,” Devon said, his tone dry.
Josie angled her head, her gaze colliding with his. “You cannot mean to keep them in.”
“Of course not. My own physician will remove them as I fully intend to be home by then.”
“Very well, Your Grace. I will leave a bottle of laudanum for the pain.” The doctor reached into his bag.
“That is not necessary. I will not take it.”
“Then, I will bid you good evening.” The doctor bowed before taking his leave.
Devon had seen what laudanum did to people. It affected their thinking, caused them to behave oddly, and often resulted in an insatiable need. He would not expose himself to such a thing. Besides, the pain was manageable. Nothing more than a throb until the doctor poked and prodded him. Even now, a bit of whiskey should take the edge off.
“Have you finished?” Josie asked, eyeing his deserted supper.
“Yes, I would like some whisky now.”
Josie retrieved the decanter and a tumbler before returning to his side. She poured two fingers into the tumbler then handed it to him.
Devon knocked it back it one large swallow. The burn of the liquor warmed him as he held the tumbler out for more. “Fill it.”
She did, her hand shaking.
He placed his hand over hers, stilling her. “What is the matter?”
“Nothing, Your Grace.”
“Devon.”
“S-sorry, Devon.” She pulled her hand free.
He drank the whiskey she’d poured then locked his gaze on hers. “I would like to rest now if you could help me with my pillows.”
She lifted his head, leaning over him and removed the extra pillows. Devon inhaled her sweet scent—lavender and vanilla. His head swam but he could not say whether it was from the whiskey or her nearness. However, he would wager the latter. “Stay with me?”
“Yes, of course. I will remain with you as long as you wish.” Josie lowered his head onto the pillows than pulled away to return to her chair.
If only he could keep her. The very idea startled him for he’d long ago determined not to marry. No woman would want him once she discovered his secret and it would not be fair to wed one without making it known. Still, he could pretend for just a little while that he was free to court a lady, to fall in love, to have a future with someone.
“I need companionship. Come lay with me.” He patted the mattress beside him.
CHAPTER 4
J osie stared at him, her mouth slightly agape. He wanted her to climb in bed with him. Truthfully, the idea thrilled her. But could she do it? What did he intend to come of her joining him in bed?
The very idea of it caused her neck and face to flush, heat fanning through her.
If she did as he asked she’d never be the same again. Or would she? Her mind raced in an endless circle as she stared at him.
“I only wish to hold you. Promise,” Devon said, reaching out his good arm. “You can trust me.”
Josie hesitated a moment more, her gaze locked with his, before she stood and moved to the bed. It would not hurt anyone for her to join him, so long as he remained under the covers and she over them. At least that is what she told herself as she crawled onto the mattress and settled beside him.
Her heart thumped as she laid there, her head resting on his arm. She’d not intended for him to touch her, but when she began to lie back, he flung his good arm out catching her. Now she had no clue what to do, what to say, or how to respond. Perhaps this had not been her best idea.
“Come closer.” He urged her with the gentle pressure of his arm pulling her near.
Josie allowed him to guide her until her body pressed against his side. The heat radiating from beneath the covers threatened to burn her as he continued to guide her.
“Turn on your side and rest your head on my chest.”
She did as he asked, the beat of his heart filling her ear. In slow measures, she started to relax as she listened to the rhythmic thumping.
He brought his hand to her temple and began playing with her hair. Josie jumped, her breath catching. This most certainly was a mistake.
“Stay,” he said, pulling her head back to his chest. “I only wish to hold you while I rest.”
The rhythmic beat of his heart, soft spoken words, and gentle touch of his hand in her hair calmed her. Still, she could not relax completely while in bed with a man—a stranger. “I should not. It isn’t proper.”
“Have you never broken society’s rules?”
She’d skirted propriety more times then he would likely believe, but never in the arms of a man
. “I-I have.”
“If you truly wish to return to the chair, I will not stop you. However, it seems a very uncomfortable place to sleep. You would likely wake with a sore neck, if you managed any sleep at all.”
She could not argue his point, nor could she deny the comfort she was experiencing wrapped tight against him. The warmth and security were unlike anything she had ever experienced before.
He twirled one of her curls between his fingers. “Stay here, with me. We will both sleep better and I promise to leave your virtue intact.”
Josie released a sigh, her resistance melting away. “I trust you.” She could not explain why she did, but in the end, she believed he meant what he’d said. True, by staying, she gambled with her reputation, but she’d done as much dozens of times while competing in archery tournaments and sneaking about with her friends.
This was no different. A lie, and she well knew it, still she could not bring herself to leave his arms. If she were discovered it would be by one of her friends, or a servant, none of which would bring her to disgrace.
Her friends would protect her to the death, as was their oath: Friendship, honor, and loyalty above all. The four of them had adhered to the creed without fail since they created it back in their school days at Miss Emmeline’s. As for the servants, they would not cross Jasper. Leastwise, not if they wished to keep their positions.
“Sleep well, Angel,” Devon whispered against her hair sending a tingle straight to her toes.
He’d called her angel. No man had ever used a pet name to refer to her before. A small smile tugged at her lips. Brazenly, she reached out, resting her hand on his well muscled chest above where the blankets covered him. “Good night.”
Josie could not say how long she laid there listening to his heart beat, absorbing his heat, and relishing the feel of being held before she dozed off. All she knew was when she woke, he still held her against him. A veil of darkness had settled over the room and the fire burned low.
Josephine Page 3
