She spoke so softly, Amelia struggled to hear her.
Dr. Sloan nodded. “Good. I could use another set of hands for tending the wound.”
She nodded, and to Amelia’s surprise, Dr. Sloan backed away to his chair at Sam’s desk and resumed his notes. He was almost... nice... to Miss Smith. He was perceptive to her delicacy in a way Amelia did not expect him to be.
“Will you be staying here? Should I prepare a room?” Amelia asked.
“No,” Mr. Chase responded. “She will come back to the Den every evening. I will escort her to and from the residence and check in frequently.”
Amelia frowned at him. “That seems tiresome. She can stay here easily enough.”
“Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s orders were clear.”
Amelia shared a glance with Graham.
Graham said to Chase, “Can we speak outside?”
Mr. Chase nodded and they stepped out of the room and into the hall.
It was clear that Graham didn’t like Tristan Chase one bit or how they’d been forced to allow him to come and go as he pleased to check in on Sam, and she couldn’t help but agree. Amelia gave Miss Smith a speculative look. That young woman was clearly uncomfortable. Was she here of her own volition?Amelia walked quietly to the doorway to listen. This was a conversation she wanted to hear for herself.
“What’s going on? There was said nothing before about being required to have a nurse at Alston’s side.” Graham’s voice was calm, but his annoyance was plain.
Mr. Chase feigned innocence. “Whatever could you mean? This is a most benevolent gift to encourage Lord Alston’s speedy recovery.”
“Who is that woman? Why does she seem terrified to be here? And why are you her keeper?”
Mr. Chase straightened, and real anger slipped through. “She is who I say she is. She stays at the club because that is where she’s been living the last three weeks.”
“As?” Graham asked pointedly.
“As a guest. She doesn’t work there. She’s one of the Widow’s charity cases.”
“Mrs. Dove-Lyon has charity cases?”
“Would it surprise you to learn she has a soft spot for women in need?”
Graham frowned. “No, but I’ve never seen it firsthand.”
“Why would you? As I said, she doesn’t work in the Den. She stays in the living areas.”
“She’s frightened of Sloan. How is this supposed to work?” Graham asked.
“He’s a frightening fellow, but she’ll get used to him. He’s not the type to leer. He seems too obsessed with Alston’s innards to take notice of a pretty girl. But I’ll be here watching. Don’t you fret. How is the marriage? Any regrets?”
Graham rolled his eyes. “Only that you’re here so bloody often.”
“You can be rid of me as soon as Lord Alston wakes up and can marry.”
“Do you know the bride?”
Mr. Chase shrugged. “Not likely.”
“I thought you knew everything?”
“I know what I need to know.”
“Can we trust this girl?”
