“God no. That’s a job for the cavalry and its associated branches. That business is complicated and lengthy.” He shook his head. “I was asked to assess the worthiness of the stock Wellington was offered there, in France. Not everyone there is fully supporting the Emperor’s efforts to conquer the world, especially when their loved ones don’t come home.”
“I can understand that.”
“Anyway, it was decided that such business would be best accomplished quietly and without fanfare. Since I had acquired a reputation for knowing my horses, and could travel wherever I wanted on a whim, I was the perfect candidate to advise and recommend reliable beasts.”
“Hmm.”
“It makes sense,” he said, tilting his head to one side. “Horses are a necessary part of life, from the farm to the battlefield.”
“Oh yes,” she nodded, “it does indeed make perfect sense. Actually, it makes a little too much sense, Harry.”
His face was an amusing blend of puzzlement and curiosity. But Willow had studied him too closely for too many years to be diverted by it.
“You just regaled me with a smooth and sensible tale. And I’m sure there is enough truth in it for it to be accepted by most people. However, I am not most people.” She looked him straight in the eye. “You were spying, Harry Chalmers. Underneath the masquerade of horse trading, you were spying.”
Harry blinked and opened his mouth, but before he could respond, the sound of a loud knock on the front door made them both jump.
Willow sighed. “A moment. We will get back to this, you can be sure.”
Walking out of the kitchen to answer the door, she didn’t notice Harry’s face slip into a serious expression.
But she did see the exasperation that replaced it as she walked back into the room.
“Harry, dear, this is the wonderful lady who has saved your life.” She turned to the large, smiling woman standing behind her. “This is Mrs Smithers, who lives next door. Without her help, I doubt we’d be breakfasting this morning.”
He stood and walked to her. “Mrs Smithers. Ma’am. Words are insufficient to express the breadth of my gratitude.” He took her hand and bowed over it, raising it to his lips and dropping a light kiss on her knuckles.
“Oh my,” she blushed and giggled like a schoolgirl.
Willow rolled her eyes.
Chapter Five
In Which Our Unmarried Couple Attempts to Appear Married
There was no doubt in Harry’s mind that Mrs Smithers truly did have a heart of gold.
Certainly, she had it charmingly concealed within an abundance of femininity, and he easily believed that she could have carried him into the house single-handed, but her sweet affection for Willow was evident, as was her joy in seeing him well on his way to recovery.
“You must let me see your ankle, Mr Chalmers. I insist now, no evasion. ’Twas a serious sprain and I will not rest easy until I reassure myself that it is truly on the mend.”
Since she was advancing on him with all the energetic enthusiasm of a team of healthy cart horses, he decided it was wisest to obey before she ran him over.
“Right then, let’s see that foot.”
“I do believe it is doing very well, Mrs Smithers,” said Willow with a smile. “Your poultices have reduced the swelling to almost nothing, and even the bruising is fading.”
“Hmm.”
Harry sat and extended his leg, glad that he wasn’t wearing boots, but loose slippers that Willow had found for him somewhere.
She watched the two of them. “I’ll make us a fresh pot of tea.”
“That would be lovely, dear,” replied Mrs Smithers, as she gently raised Harry’s foot and placed it on her knee.
To his surprise, she was quite thorough in her examination, bending his toes a little, moving it this way and that, and noting the moments when he managed to restrain a slight gasp of pain.
Finally, after several minutes of sensations that varied from pleasant to a bit uncomfortable, she put his foot back into his slipper and down to the floor.
