Page 34 of A Rake's Redemption
Alex nodded, forcing himself to smile back. He wasn’t in the mood for humor, even though the doctor was probably trying to lighten the mood. Good God. Inis could have died.
He opened the door and walked over to where Mrs. Bradley was sitting by the bed. “I will take over from here. You and Elsie may leave.”
Mrs. Bradley looked doubtful, but then she nodded. “I will bring some ice and a clean cloth for Inis and send a tray up for you.”
“Do not bother about me,” Alex said. “I am certainly not hungry.”
His housekeeper hesitated, then gestured to Elsie. “Let’s go.”
The maid turned her tear-streaked face to him as she left. She seemed to want to speak but then thought better of it.
Alex stared at the shut door, wondering at Elsie’s reaction. He would ask her about it later. Any questions he had for Inis weren’t important right now, either.
He pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down to wait.
…
Inis woke to near darkness and the feeling of something looming over her. A moment later, she felt a hand on her cheek. Still groggy, she flung her arm up in defense and heard a resounding smack as she made contact with someone’s head.
“Ouch.”
The voice sounded familiar. She blinked, her eyes slowly adjusting to the dim light that filtered through a slight parting of her curtains. She could make out a man’s form now, next to the bed. Panic rose and then quelled as she recognized Alex. He was rubbing his jaw.
“What are ye doing?”
“I was checking for fever,” Alex replied, lighting the oil lamp near her bed and turning up the wick to make the room brighter. “The doctor said to let him know if you began running one.”
The sudden stabbing pain in her palm reminded her of the spider bite. She raised her bandaged hand. “I remember falling…”
Alex nodded and drew his chair closer. “Elsie came to see if you’d finished your bath and found you lying on the floor unconscious. Mrs. Bradley sent for the physician.”
Inis tried not to wince from the pain. “I need to thank her.”
“Later,” Alex said. “Why didn’t you tell me you have severe reactions to spider bites? The barn is probably full of them.”
Inis ignored the question and struggled to sit up. Alex reached over to take her shoulders and gently pressed her back on the bed. “The doctor said minimal movement for a while.” Alex placed her hand on the side pillow. “And keep this hand elevated.”
She wasn’t sure if her heart was beating so fast because of her sudden alarm or the fact that Alex was leaning over her, scant space between them. Her breath hitched, and he seemed to realize the perilous position they were in, for he sank back suddenly onto his chair. The fluttering of her heart slowed, but the edge of panic was still there. “Ye are nae going to keep me from working in the barn, are ye?”
Alex frowned. “I should not let you put yourself at risk.”
“I take care,” Inis said, hoping she didn’t sound as desperate as she felt. She couldn’t give up working with the horses. If he made her do so, there would be no reason to stay here, either. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—be a guest receiving an education. The staff for sure would think she was giving her personal favors to Alex. “I take care,” she repeated. “I wear boots. My trews and long-sleeved shirt cover the rest of me.”
Alex glanced at her bandage. “What about your hands?”
“I can wear gloves.” Inis hated to beg, but she would. “Please doona keep me from doing my job.”
He hesitated, looking undecided. “I will think on it. Now, tell me what you remember about getting bitten.”
“Nae much. The footmen brought the hot water, Elsie brought in the fresh laundry. I was getting dressed when I felt the bite.”
“What did you have in your hand?”
Inis felt her face heat. “My pantaloons.”
Alex rose and went to pick them up from where they were still lying on the floor. He gave them a thorough inspection and then a hard shake.
“What are ye doing?” Inis asked.
