This time Spangler let go, but he shot a hateful look at the lieutenant. “You are interrupting a private matter, sirrah, whoever you are. Kindly leave at once.”
“Actually, our ‘matter’ is over. Mr. Spangler was just leaving, Lieutenant Robbins. Kindly show him on his way.” Lucy gathered her skirts and swept into the hall, standing aside so Spangler could pass.
The worm stomped out, spun around at the door, and, tossing a hateful glance at Robbins, turned to sweep his gaze up Lucy from toes to hairline. “Tsk. Dressed as you are, I begin to rethink my generous offer. It won’t stand forever. You may want to reconsider lest you be forced to accept a less respectable one.” He clamped his hat on and, when Robbins took a step, ran out the door and down to his carriage.
Lucy put a hand on her protector’s sleeve. “No violence, please, Lieutenant.”
Robbins grinned. “Not even a broken bone or two?”
“No, please. Just make sure the palace guard knows he is not welcome back. Ever.”
At ‘palace guard,’ his grin widened. He swept a formal bow. “As you wish, princess.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“I’ll heal soonerin my own bed.” Robert Benson glared at his daughter.
Rob struggled to contain his grin.If the old man is ready to give orders, he’s ready to come home.Rob caught sight of Lucy across the room, kindness and amusement in her expression, and smiled back, a moment of perfect accord. She let her grin break out into the open.
Emma didn’t notice. “But Da, the planks over the gulley are even rougher than the road. What if your stitches come loose or your leg is jarred?”
Rob glanced at Paul Farley, who ran a hand through his hair, the corners of his mouth turning up. “Ever the patient’s lament, ‘sooner in my own bed.’”
Old Robert batted aside his daughter’s hands when she tried to tuck his coverlet around his shoulders. “I need to go home, Emma.Youneed to go home.”
Rob ignored his sister, still addressing the doctor. “Any truth to that?”
“Folks often heal better in their own beds. The bandages are fresh. The leg is as secure as I can make him. You’ll have to move him carefully, though.” Farley began packing up. “It might be best if you strap him to something, so his leg remains immobile.”
Lucy spoke up. “If he chooses to leave, I’m sure we can manage something for that.”
Rob glanced at the man on the bed. “Are you willing to be strapped down so we can move you?”
“Get me out of here, Robbie.” He couldn’t keep the pleading from his voice.
“That’s it then. Back to the Willow you go,” Rob said.
“Robbie, you can’t move him!” his sister shouted.
“Emma, calm yourself. You heard Farley. If we take care, we can move him safely,” Rob retorted.
“You don’t care about Da,” Emma spat. “You never did. You’re tired of looking after the Willow, and you want him back so you can leave—abandon us again.”
Silence, so thick Rob could almost feel it, descended on the room. Lucy’s horrified expression stabbed him in the gut. Farley stared at the floor.
“I won’t honor that with a reply,” Rob said at last. Still, his blood ran cold. Honesty forced him to admit the grain of truth in her accusations, but the right thing to do remained moving the old man.
“He is going home where he belongs,” Rob said. Any soldier in Rob’s command would be on his way to carry out the order immediately upon hearing that tone.
Emma sank into a chair in the corner, wringing her hands. “I’m sorry, Robbie. But you can’t…”
Her words faded away, and Rob did his best to ignore her. He turned and shook Farley’s hand. “You’ll check in after we get him home?”
“I’ll be over in the morning. I’ll see myself out.” Farley left without a backward glance.
When Rob turned back toward the bed, he didn’t expect the patient’s deep frown. Before Rob could speak, the old man interrupted. “Ignore her, Robbie. Emma doesn’t usually talk like a damned fool, but she did that time.”
Old Robert glared at his daughter, who had the look of a woman summoning more arguments, before turning his gaze to Lucy. “You’re going to be glad to see my backside and well rid of the pack of ruffians I call a family.”
