Vexing the Viscount

Slowly, the carriage rolled to a stop in front of his home. He jumped down, paid the driver, and waited for Tia to disembark the carriage. “Are you coming?” he finally asked.

“No. I am returning to the inn. All my things are there.”

What had his mother always told him? Count to ten. One. Ten. “Out now!” He pulled her legs toward him until she fell off the seat. “I would have let you walk inside with your dignity intact, but now you’ll suffer the embarrassment.”

“I can barely walk on my right foot anyway,” she retorted. “I need to get this piece of glass out.”

Braden blew out a breath. He’d completely forgotten that she’d hurt her foot. “I will carry you inside and to a guest room. Then I’ll send Mrs. Abbott up to assist you with your foot.”

“I don’t need assistance. I need my things from the inn and some water and brandy for my foot.”

“As you wish,” he said and then strode to the front door. Mr. Nelson opened the door for him. “Evening, Nelson. Please make up the blue room for Miss Featherstone. She will be staying with us tonight.”

Mr. Nelson glanced down to the step and then said, “I believe she needs some assistance, my lord.”

“Yes, but she doesn’t want my help. Settle her in the blue room and ask Mrs. Abbott to see me.”

“Of course, my lord.”

Braden glanced back to verify she wasn’t trying to run away again. Nelson rushed to assist Tia as she hopped up the steps. Stubborn girl. He wasn’t about to throw her over his shoulder again. He paused after taking a step. He supposed he should have let her know that.

Tia grabbed the wrought-iron rail and pushed her weight on it to climb up the first stair. A man came running down the steps.

“Miss Featherstone, please let me assist you. My name is Mr. Nelson and I am the viscount’s butler.” He held out his arm for her to put her weight on. “I have heard so many wonderful things about you and your mother.”

Tia looked at the man and realized he wasn’t the one who had answered the door the two times she’d called on Jonathon. It must have been one of the footmen who had sent her away. “Thank you, Mr. Nelson.”

“Do you need a footman to carry you to your room?”

As much as she wanted that, she shook her head. “No, thank you, Mr. Nelson. I can walk.” Barely. But she would never let Middleton see her appear weak by needing help up the stairs.

Together they hobbled up the steps until they reached the entryway. She hadn’t gotten this far when she’d knocked on the door. The cold white marble chilled her bare feet and up her body. Her

right foot throbbed, which meant she most likely hadn’t removed whatever she’d stepped on in her rush to get away from Middleton.

Taking a step forward, she realized her foot was still oozing blood. “Oh, drat! I’ve bled on this beautiful floor.”

“Not to worry, miss,” Nelson said with a kind smile. “Let us get you upstairs so someone can take care of that for you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Nelson. I can manage binding my foot.”

“We shall put you in the blue room,” Mr. Nelson said as they hobbled up the marble staircase.

Tia had been in Middleton Hall before, but rarely had she walked through the elegant house. Most of the times, she was called only to help a servant below stairs. But the beauty of the town home astounded her. Large paintings hung on the walls. They must be relatives but she had to admit none of the images looked like Middleton. The people in the portraits were fairer in complexion, more like Jonathon.

They entered the room and Tia stopped. This was not a room, but a suite of rooms. The salon was larger than her bedroom in the cottage of his estate. A large sofa and two light blue velvet-covered chairs were situated near the commanding fireplace. A small cherry desk faced the windows that overlooked the street. Mr. Nelson opened the door to the bedroom and Tia followed behind him.

“This is such a beautiful bedroom,” she said with a wistful sigh.

Mr. Nelson smiled. “Yes, it is.”

Spying another door, she asked, “What does that lead to?”

Mr. Nelson’s smile faded. “Just another bedchamber. But not to worry, the door locks from in here.”

“Very well, then.” Tia eased herself down on the bed. “Would it be possible to have a bath? I wouldn’t wish to put someone out, but I need to soak my foot and then get the last piece of glass out.”

“Of course. Mrs. Abbott will be up presently to assist you. I shall send the footmen up with the tub and hot water.”