“You have a determined expression,” he murmured.
“I am determined not to let you bleed on my sheets, my lord.”
“Jamie.”
She finished with the lip and then smoothed some salve Maggie held out to her over the cuts.
“I have brought tea and brandy,” Phipps announced from the doorway.
“He can’t have brandy surely if he’s just had laudanum?” Alice asked.
“I am sure my constitution requires it,” Jamie said gravely.
“Your constitution requires sense.” Maggie nodded to the glass Phipps carried on the tray. “A small sip only if you please, my lord, and then you’ll rest.”
This time he braced himself, easing upright to settle on the pillows. He then took the brandy and a small sip.
“You have my thanks for taking care of me, Maggie,” Jamie said. “I feel a great deal better already.”
Ezra returned with some clothes and placed them at the foot of the bed.
“I’ll be back soon to check on you,” Maggie said, collecting her supplies.
Alice’s staff then all left, with Ezra the last. He left the door open wide after giving her a look she had no idea how to interpret.
She should leave. Move away from the bed that held the large disturbing male and go to hers. She needed to wash, and then sleep, but Alice knew she would not get much of that knowing that Jamie was close.
“Thank you, Alice.” The words were whispered and a little slurred, which told her the laudanum was now working.
“You’ve already thanked me, so you need not do so again. Now I think you need to lie down again and sleep, Jamie. It is the best thing for you. When you wake, we shall get you home.”
He did as she said and eased back down the bed, resting his head on a pillow. She watched his dark lashes lower on to pale cheeks, and only a few minutes went by before he slept.
Standing there looking at this strong, powerful man brought low enough to fall asleep in her company made something stir inside her. Alice had to fist her hands to stop them from stroking his hair or cheek.
She dragged her eyes from Jamie when Ezra returned. He stepped to her side.
“Bobby said he went outside to check the street in front of your townhouse, Lady Alice,” Ezra whispered, mouth grim. “Says he saw a man in a dark coat loitering across the way. When I went out to take a look, he’d gone.”
“Lord Stafford had a man watching the townhouse,” she said, not meeting his gaze. “It could be him. But in case it is not, then Bobby should not go outside again, Ezra,” she whispered.
“I know that, but he’s used to doing as he wishes, my lady. He is now safe and will be going nowhere again. Phipps is making him stay here.”
“Good.” Alice didn’t know what she would do for the boy, but she knew she wanted to do something.
“While it relieves me Lord Stafford set a man to watching your townhouse, I’ll still have your word you’ll not go back there, to where Lord Stafford was harmed, my lady.”
“Ezra—”
“It’s not right for you to do so, and you know it. He’s hurting because of the people he met there, the same people who could have hurt you.”
She sighed. “I know, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
That mollified him slightly because his scowl eased. He looked at Jamie.
“I’ll not wake him now to change him, as it’s my belief he’ll sleep right through until morning after the beating he’s taken,” Ezra said. “But I’ll check on him again soon, before I find my bed.”
“Thank you, and yes, rest is the best thing for him.” Alice looked back down at Jamie. He hadn’t moved, but she knew that in the morning, to do so would cause him a lot of pain.
