“It shouldn’t. I am a nurse. I’ve tended to many wounded people—men, women, and children.”
“When was that?” Sam asked.
She met his gaze for half a second before looking away. “Before. Where I used to live.”
Sam raised a brow and did not ask any more questions. This girl was evasive, and she likely had a reason. An awful reason if her reticence was anything to go by.
“Take the tray and then put the pot on the floor.”
She did so.
Sam circled his ankles, his joints popping. “Do you hear that? I’m turning to stone.”
“It is wise to take caution after all you’ve experienced, my lord.”
His pulse increased as he moved one leg toward the edge, then the other. His feet now hung off the bed. All that was left to do was slide to the floor, but he did not trust his knees to hold him.
Bloody hell, this was as bad as when he’d stood to get to the bathtub. And that was unacceptable. He needed to regain his strength, and he’d have to do it alone as long as everyone followed Amelia’s orders and ignored his. His anger surged as he scooted forward, and his toes and then heels touched the carpet.
Tingles shot through his feet, and he gasped.
“My lord?” Smith asked in worry, raising her hands as if she could catch him.
“It’s fine.” What wasn’t fine was the single blanket he held over his lap. He’d need both hands to steady himself.
“You may want to turn away now.”
She frowned, never moving her gaze from his feet. “I should help you.”
“And yet I don’t want you to. Not in this state of undress.”
“My lord, it is part of my duties.”
Sam bit back a groan. “Smith—forgive me, Miss Smith—I suspect none of your previous patients have looked quite so stunning as I.”
Her cheeks filled with color. She lifted her gaze to his, her eyes stern. “This is my job.”
He raised a brow. “So, you do have some spirit?”
She frowned. “Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“You are.”
“H-how?” she sputtered.
“You seem frightened. That makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong, and the last thing I would ever do is hurt a woman.”
She swallowed. Something painful and sad washed over her face. “I know. You are not like other men I’ve known.”
His heart pounded as a swell of protective, brotherly rage swept through him. Someone had hurt this young woman, and he badly wanted to thrash them.
“Thank you, but that doesn’t solve our problem now.”
“I will not leave you and risk further injury, my lord. I have my instructions from both your sister and Dr. Sloan.”
Sam rolled his eyes. He could feel a blush climbing the back of his neck. He’d never been embarrassed to be naked in front of a woman, but he’d never been this pitiful, either.
“Fine. Fetch the changing screen and bring it here.” He would not attempt a step. Not if there was a chance he’d crumple to the floor, and poor Miss Smith would have to help him up.
