Page 4 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"I'm Charles Drowton, and you met my sister, Anne," he was saying as she returned to the room. "You might know of our grandfather, Jeremy Drowton, the Baron of Reedley."
Charles paused and looked at the Duke, but there was no evidence of recognition or interest in his eyes. He only frowned at his foot as Charles struggled trying to remove his boot without causing further distress.
"Ah!" the Duke exclaimed as Charles tumbled back when he finally freed His Grace's foot from its covering.
Timidly, Charles stepped back and said, "Welcome to Reedley Manor."
"Indeed," the Duke replied flatly.
"Your Grace," Anne said, as she poured and offered a glass to the large man who made their sitting room seem half its usual size.
He downed the beverage in one large swallow then demanded, "Another glass, please."
At least he said please this time,Anne thought to herself.Clearly that's not a word he's had to use much. Commands and demands seem to be his way, but dictation can still be given with courtesy.
She refrained from sighing and poured another glass. She filled it a little closer to the rim this time.
"I thought you instructed the maid to bring dressings for my wound?" the Duke asked.
"No, I said I would retrieve them. You requested the brandy first," Anne replied, handing the gentleman the refilled glass and serving him a firm look as well.
"He probably wanted to start numbing the pain to prepare for the injury to be treated. I know if I were hurt as badly as you, I might mishear a thing or two," Charles said, hoping to ease the heated look his sister and their guest shared.
"Well, I can pour another myself, should I need it. Fetch the dressings. I believe we will have to cut my trousers below the knee. They're torn to shreds at the calf anyway," he acknowledged, shifting his attention to his lower left leg.
Anne looked at Charles, but neither of them said anything. She rushed out of the room once more and returned with a second tray. This time, it held a bowl of water, a few small towels, and cloth bandages to bind his wound after she inspected and cleansed it.
"Charles, please gently lift His Grace's leg so that I may put a towel beneath it. Then, bring one of the chairs from the card table for me to sit in while I work," Anne ordered, taking control of the situation.
The Duke finished the last of his second glass of brandy to manage the pain of his leg being repositioned and looked toward the decanter.
"Are you deciding whether you would like another?" Anne asked.
"The pain was bad enough when my leg was resting, but I was acutely aware of the placement of every finger as he adjusted my leg. In case your handling of me is just as delicate, one more seems necessary to make matters tolerable," the Duke replied.
"Then, let me offer you one more and give you a moment to settle yourself before we begin," Anne said, doing her best to speak in a calm and balanced tone.
She prepared one more full glass and gave it to His Grace. He sipped it quickly then he closed his eyes tightly and laid his head back a moment.
A minute later, he opened his eyes and said, "I'm ready."
"Very well," replied Anne. "As you said, first I will cut the remaining material away to have a better look at your leg. I will do my best to be gentle."
Touching His Grace as little and as lightly as possible, Anne snipped the fabric away. Rather than move his leg for her convenience, she changed positions and angled awkwardly for his ease. She softened only a little as she looked at the wound when it was fully exposed. There were multiple gashes that were several inches long and deep enough that Anne could lay a finger in them. Hearing him suck in his breath a little, she reminded herself to be more tolerant of the Duke.
Given the state of his leg, what he must have gone through to get to the house, and the anticipation of what I'm about to put him through, I imagine it would be hard to behave as a gentleman,. but if his manner doesn't improve after so many glasses of brandy, he shall not remain here long, injury or no."
"That looks worse than I thought," Charles acknowledged loudly, stepping near for a closer look.
Then, he grimaced and stepped back again.
"That is not helpful, Charles," Anne said.
"Thank you for that," His Grace replied at nearly the same time.
"Sorry," Charles said, lowering his head to avoid the gaze of either of them.
There was silence for a moment.
