“But—”
“No swaddling. You can wrap up the ankle. Nothing else.”
“All right.”
“I’ve had cracked ribs before. I’ll be fine.”
“Yes.”
He was quiet a moment, studying her upturned face. “I don’t trust you when you’re too agreeable.”
“That places me in a rather awkward position then. I am not disagreeable by nature, although there are some who would say differently.”
“Cousin Franny.”
“She would be one, yes.”
It was insult, not injury, which made Morgan grimace. “I don’t think I like being painted with the same brush.”
Jane gave him a helpless shrug and nothing else as she stood. She went into the adjoining room and washed her hands. When she returned, she was carrying a basin of water, a washcloth, and soap. A towel was slung over her shoulder. She set the basin on the bedside table and handed Morgan the cloth and soap.
“You might as well clean up,” she said. “Do you want your nightshirt?” Jane gave him no quarter, even when he stared at her as though she had suddenly sprouted the three heads of Cerberus.
Morgan jerked his thumb in the direction of the window behind him. “There are still a couple of hours of daylight left.”
“I am aware.”
“I am not an invalid.”
“No, that would be overstating it, but you are injured, and that is sufficient cause for you to remain in bed. You employ four capable men.” She held up a hand when she saw he was about to interrupt. “Very well. Three capable men and Jem.” It probably wasn’t what Morgan intended to say, she thought, but it did raise his reluctant smile. “They are all going about your business and theirs now, and none of them will think less of you for staying here.”
“They might not think less of me, but I sure as hell will never hear the end of it.”
“That cannot be true. To a man, they would be happy of my attentions.”
“They would wallow in your coddling like pigs in mud, but that’s because you’re not married to any one of them.”
“My, but marriage changes so many things. I had no idea.”
Morgan’s green eyes glinted as he eyed Jane more sharply.
Her artless expression did not waver.
They were at an impasse.
Jane said, “I’ll come back in half an hour and examine your foot again. If the swelling has lessened, I’ll bandage the ankle.” Her eyes moved past Morgan to the books on the stand at the opposite side of the bed. Without asking if he wanted a particular one, she retrieved both. “I’ll leave these here in your reach. The time will pass more quickly if boredom does not set in, and reading will distract you from the pain.”
Morgan grunted softly. “I doubt it. Slamming a shovel against the back of my head might do the trick.”
“Is that what happened to Jem?”
In spite of the pain, Morgan’s lips twitched. “No, that’s what being in love with Renee Harrison’s done to him.”
“That’s good to know.”
“About Miss Harrison?”
“About love.”
