“Don’t worry,” he continued. “I intend to keep this entire debacle as quiet as possible. At the moment only my butler is aware that you’re here and he thinks you’re a lad. Dr. Blanchard will have to know, of course, but we can trust him to remain silent on the matter. As soon as your leg is set, I’ll have my coach put to and my servants will take you back to your father’s estate as discreetly as possible.”
Thea nodded slowly. That was all certainly good of him. Unexpected, but appreciated. Perhaps she might actually get back home with little fanfare or at least as little as could be expected, given the circumstances.
She managed a real smile. “Thank you.”
“After my most discreet footman returns from fetching the doctor,” Clayton continued. “I’ll have him fetch your pony. We’ll tie him to the coach. He’ll return home with you.”
Thea breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ve no idea what I’ll tell my father about my leg, but I’ll think of something.”
Ewan inclined his head toward her. “I’ll leave that to you, my lady, but you may rest assured I’ll tell no one about this incident as long as you promise the next time you want to see Alabaster, you send word that you’re coming, in broad daylight, dressed as aladyand with a proper chaperone.” He gave her a smile that made her feel like her insides lit up.
She squirmed in her seat, uneasy with the feeling. “I suppose you’re notentirelydetestable, my lord,” she allowed.
A wide smile spread across his firm lips. “Detestable? Is that what you thought of me?”
“Among a variety of other things,” she admitted, smiling a bit herself despite the insistent throbbing in her leg.
“I see,” came his even reply.
“I’m certain you had a few choice words for me, my lord.”
He arched a brow. “I am a gentleman, my lady, and I shall not repeat them.”
She leaned toward him. “Oh, come now, tell me what you thought of me the first time you met me.”
He eyed her carefully, clearly trying to come up with words that would not offend her. Finally, he took a deep breath. “The truth, my lady, is that I thought—and still do—that I’d never met a more stubborn person, male or female.”
She laughed despite herself. “Father always says I was born stubborn. I was supposed to be born in December, but I didn’t come out until nearly February.”
Lord Clayton’s clap of laughter followed. “That does not surprise me. Indeed, my lady. I’m only fortunate that you were not the one betting against me at the auction that day. I’ve no doubt I would have come away the loser.”
She sighed. “Yes, but I would have put Father in the poor house with my bet.”
A slight commotion in the corridor caught Thea’s ear and she pushed herself up on the sofa, heart pounding again. Dr. Blanchard was coming. How would she ever explain herself to the doctor? Her hair was streaming over her shoulders like she was a doxy, and she was wearing breeches and a neckcloth for heaven’s sake.
Lord Clayton quickly stood. “Excuse me a moment.” He set down his drink and strode purposely out into the corridor, shutting the door behind him. She heard him issuing orders to the footman to collect her pony and not to say a word about it to anyone. Then Lord Clayton’s voice lowered as he spoke to what was presumably the doctor for a few moments. There were some male murmurs in response, in the affirmative before the door opened and both men stepped inside.
Clayton quickly closed the door behind them.
“Dr. Blanchard is aware of your situation, Lady Theodora, and he’s agreed to complete privacy and secrecy.”
“You’ve nothing to worry about from me, my lady,” Dr. Blanchard said, hurrying to her side with his satchel and sitting on the side of the sofa next to her. “I will treat your leg and be on my way and never breathe a word about this to anyone.”
Thea’s shoulders relaxed for the first time since she’d fallen in the stables. Her heart pounded less fiercely in her chest. Clayton had handled the entire embarrassing explanation for her. She merely nodded in return. “Thank you, Doctor. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your assistance … and your discretion.”
The doctor nodded once. “Now let’s look at that leg.”
AN HOUR LETTER,Thea’s leg was tightly wrapped in clean, white linens that one of Lord Clayton’s maids had delivered to the door without being allowed into the room. A wooden splint had been added to the wrapping to stabilize the limb. The examination and the setting of the bone had been painful to be certain, but Dr. Blanchard had been as gentle as he could. Thea was certain the brandy she’d swallowed had helped. She’d begun to feel quite happy and without a care.
With her permission, Dr. Blanchard had managed to cut away enough of her breeches to get a good look at her leg. The break was below the knee, thank heavens. That, at least, had been fortunate. He’d set it and wrapped it and given her a healthy dose of laudanum, which had served to make her immediately sleepy.
“That should do it,” Dr. Blanchard said as he stood and wiped his brow. “Now you must be quite careful with it. And go to sleep immediately.”
“Of course,” Thea replied, already barely able to keep her eyes open. “Thank you, doctor. I promise to go straight to bed as soon as I get home.”
Thea pushed herself to the edge of the sofa, ready to stand … perhaps with help. She needed to get home as quickly as possible. “I shan’t be a burden to you much longer, Lord Clayton,” she said, addressing that remark to the viscount who had just re-entered the room after Dr. Blanchard had informed him it was all right to do so.
“If you’ll kindly call your coach to take me home,” Thea said to Lord Clayton.
