“Make haste. They were on the boat that just arrived. One is injured and the other freezing.”
“That crossing.” She shook her head, looking down at the ledger on the desk before her. “It’s busy we are, sir.” She had a pleasant enough smile and a thick Welsh accent. He cared very little about any of that. He wanted a room, and he wanted it now.
“I’ll pay you handsomely.”
The eyes narrowed, and she glanced at the ledger again.
“Well, I do have two rooms that were for other travelers, but I could move them. The best rooms we have, you see.”
“P-put me d-down.” Samantha pressed against his chest.
“No.”
“Do it, W-Warwick.”
He reluctantly lowered her to her feet and then pulled out his money pouch. He then slapped a ridiculous amount on the counter before the woman. It made her eyes widen and an appreciative smile form on her lips.
“Nobles, always throwing about their bleeding money,” someone said from behind them. Warwick ignored him.
“We need those rooms now,” he added. “Plus baths and food. Someone also to help the women. I have a driver who will need accommodations.”
“Pl-please,” Samantha said.
“Please,” he gritted out.
“If you’ll come this way, sir, I’ll show you to your rooms.” The woman grabbed keys and hurried around the desk. “I’ll be down shortly to look after you lot,” she said to the four people waiting, who were justifiably annoyed, but in that moment, Warwick didn’t care.
Samantha went to follow her and staggered slightly. Warwick swore beneath his breath and then swung her back into his arms.
They climbed the stairs to the next floor, and the woman opened the second door they came to.
“Archie, take Penny in there. I will have a doctor called at once, and someone to help get her comfortable.”
“The second room is here, sir.” Warwick and Samantha walked three doors down and in through another door behind the lady.
It was big enough to fit a bed and two armchairs.
“I will get the fire lit at once, and have your luggage brought up. My staff will bring a bath shortly.”
“Please call a doctor for Lady Samantha’s maid and bring brandy for both rooms.”
When the woman had left, Warwick lowered Samantha to her feet. He then began to wrestle the ribbons on her bonnet free and threw it to the floor. Her coat came next. The heavy material was sodden and made a wet thud as it hit the wooden floor.
“Are you injured, Samantha?”
She shook her head.
“You need to remove your dress.”
She nodded but didn’t move. Warwick turned her and undid her buttons. He then peeled the wet fabric from her body. Her chemise would have to stay.
His eyes fell on the pale skin of her shoulders and arms, and he felt something stir inside him. Warwick ignored it. This was his childhood friend and general annoyance. All he needed to focus on right now was getting her warm.
Dragging a blanket off the bed, he wrapped it around her.
“Give me your hands.”
He began to pull off her gloves. Lifting her left hand higher, he examined the bruise darkening the soft skin. It ran from her wrist to the base of her middle finger.
