Rose forced a smile. After her experience at the manor, she’d be no one’s prisoner again. “Surely a dose of fresh air is exactly what you’d prescribe.”
“Perhaps. Had you not fallen into the lake or inhaled so much smoke.” He frowned. “Is Lord Farleigh aware that you’ve left your bed?”
“I have not left my bed. But merely come out for a stroll.” She bit back a groan for making such a foolish comment.
A smile touched the doctor’s lips. “There is no need to be so defensive. It’s just that he seemed overly concerned for your welfare.”
What was the doctor implying?
“Like any respectable employer, Lord Farleigh treats all his staff with due care and attention.” Heat rose to her cheeks when she considered the less than gentle way he’d devoured her mouth.
“Indeed, he does. Now, allow me to give you a ride.” He glanced up at the dark clouds forming overhead. “It’s a good thirty-minute walk back to Everleigh, and the last thing you need is to get caught in a rainstorm.”
“That’s kind, but I would not want to cause you any inconvenience.” She struggled to hold his gaze. While his eyes were a piercing shade of blue, there was a coldness about them that worked in opposition to his warm, friendly countenance. “No doubt you’re heading to the inn. I hear the patient there is in need of your services much more than I.”
“In point of fact, I’ve just left a patient and am not due at the Talbot for three hours.” The doctor shuffled back in the saddle. “I can’t promise it will be a comfortable ride but the most important thing for you is to miss the storm.”
How could she refuse?
Perhaps sensing her hesitation, he added, “While you may frown at the thought of riding with a gentleman in such close proximity, may I remind you I’m a doctor and have ferried many patients back to their homes. Besides, Lord Farleigh would be most displeased to know I rode by.”
With no choice but to accept, she nodded and offered her hand. Placing one foot in the stirrup for leverage, the doctor hauled her up to sit sidesaddle in front of him. Two strong arms hemmed her in as he gripped the reins and turned the horse.
The feel of his icy breath against her cheek sent a shiver all the way to her toes. She expected him to canter away, to ensure she made it home before the weather broke. But he appeared to be in no rush and so they simply trotted up the lane.
“I find it rather distressing that a woman of your good breeding must resort to minding the children of the aristocracy,” he said absently. “A woman with such a pretty countenance should have a husband to protect her, have her own house and family to mind.”
To quell the nervous pang in her stomach, she laughed. “You should be careful. Some women would take your comment as a proposal.”
There was an uncomfortable moment of silence. His strong arms held her trapped, and she could feel the heat of his gaze boring into her. Despite being outdoors, she found it difficult to breathe.
“Perhaps it is a proposal,” he said, though his tone held not the slightest hint of affection. “There are few women of your looks and education living in Abberton.”
Well, clearly the doctor lacked the time and energy to bandy words. “Had I any intention of remaining in Abberton, I might give the matter some thought.” It was better to be polite. When she thought of marriage, only one man’s face appeared in her mind.
“You intend to leave Everleigh?” He sounded surprised. “Lord Farleigh will be most distressed to lose another member of his household staff.”
Guilt flared. But the sudden shift in topic gave her an opportunity to press the doctor for more information.
“Does it not frustrate you that, despite years of studying medicine, you cannot find the cure for the mysterious illness at Everleigh?”
The doctor cleared his throat. “Have you ever heard it said that sometimes you can be too close to a case to see what is obvious to others?”
No doubt it was his justification as to why he’d failed to solve the problem despite weekly visits.
“As someone newly arrived,” the doctor continued, “I wonder if you have a theory regarding the continual reinfection. Does anything strike you as odd?”
“I am not a doctor,” she said with a snort. “Indeed, neither am I a very good maid.”
“Lord Farleigh appears to have no complaints. But I digress. Everyone can make a judgement regardless of their station. And so what is yours?”
Rose pondered his comment. Perhaps it was unwise to reveal her suspicions. Then again, solving the problem of the illness would help ease Christian’s burden.
“It is not so much a theory but more a question.”
“Go on.”
“If the illness is supposedly caused by a plant in the garden, why is it the staff have been ill these last two years? The shrubs and plants are mature and have been a constant fixture since its design.” She knew enough about vast country estates to give an informed view.