Page 5 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"To distract yourself, this would be an opportune time to tell us about how this happened," Anne suggested.
She looked at the Duke as she soaked one of the smaller towels and rang it out with her hands. He took a deep breath and released it as she placed it on his leg. She could tell it caused him pain but also relief.
"I have been traveling the county on business. I try to spend as little time away from the manor in London as possible, so I allow the driver to rest during the day, so we can travel at night. We move from one appointment to the next quickly, but I suppose I put too much burden on my driver or the horses in the last several days," His Grace said, staring down into his empty glass. "I don't know if the driver fell asleep or if the horses lost their footing, but our carriage crashed."
"That's terrible," Anne said.
For the first time, she registered something new in the Duke's countenance, but she couldn't place the emotion.
"Yes, when I tried to assist the driver, the broken wheel and axle fully disconnected and ricocheted back at us. I put my leg out to prevent it from hitting his face as he had stooped to lift from a lower position," he explained.
"And the darned thing did all that to you?" Charles asked in astonishment.
"Yes, but the driver was unscathed beyond a few bumps from the initial mishap. He helped me onto the horse and led it to the nearest home with a light on. Once he helped me to the porch, I commanded he return to my sister in London to notify her of the situation," the Duke explained, completing his tale.
Anne had listened quietly, working as His Grace spoke. She had gently removed broken wood and a small piece of metal from his calf as she cleaned the dirt.
She cleared her throat and said, "I have bound your leg tight, but we will send for the doctor in the morning. At least two of your wounds will have a smaller scar if you have stitches, but it's better to let the doctor decide and sew them himself. For now, the wounds are clean and dressed. I think you will recover well either way with a little care and rest."
"Excellent," the Duke replied.
"Yes," she agreed. "Now that that is settled, I will prepare something for you to eat. I'm sure you are hungry."
"That is not necessary," His Grace said, declining Anne's offer.
"I insist. Beyond this injury, though you are tall and I'm sure quite rugged, you look like your travels have left you skimping on proper meals. You will recover better if you are well-fed."
"No, thank you," he insisted. "It's very late, and I'm tired. Direct me to a guest room, and I won't disturb you any further."
Anne opened her mouth to speak but snapped it shut again when Charles spoke first.
"Grandfather is already asleep, so we can put you in a room near him, so you won't be disturbed," Charles recommended.
"This way," Anne said, hurrying to lead His Grace upstairs before he could attempt to guide himself as he had when he first arrived.
Without argument, the Duke followed Anne. Charles followed the Duke. At the top of the stairs, Anne led the way to a room across the hall from their grandfather.
"This will be your room during your stay," she said opening the door and presenting a lovely room trimmed in green with a writing desk, a large armoire, and a settee.
His Grace hardly looked over the room before going to the bed.
"Send a valet or footman to assist me in preparing for bed," he requested, working his remaining boot off himself. "See that my other boot is returned to me as well."
"Your boots will both be here by the time you wake in the morning, but there is no one to help prepare you for bed," Anne declared.
"What?" the Duke asked, believing he had misheard. "If they are sleeping, rouse them."
"They are not sleeping," Anne said, matching the Duke's tone. "We do not have a valet or footman to send. You will have to see to yourself."
She did not wait for a response.
As Anne left the room, she added, "Charles will have the physician here for you first thing in the morning. Goodnight, Your Grace."
The Duke was still perplexed and hardly noticed Charles bidding him goodnight and excusing himself as well.
Down the hall, Anne observed, "You could have helped him."
"No, after removing his boot, it was clear I helped enough," Charles said, adding a small laugh at his own expense. "Furthermore, I could tell he had you rightly soured, so I didn't want to assist him too much and have you be curt with me as well."
