Hunting the Hero (The Wild Randalls 4)

Meredith’s eyes grew heavy. “Don’t call me that.”

“Well, what should I call you instead? None of the names you’ve offered up suit you in the least,” he grumbled and then pressed his nose to her head. “God, you smell good.”

As he carried her upstairs, Grayling issued a stream of orders to every servant he encountered. Most often his command was to see what was taking the housekeeper so long. “Willow, could you open the door like a good girl? I’d like to get your governess into bed.”

Meredith’s eyes flew open and she stared up at Gray, noting his smirk was back in place. “That woke you up,” he whispered. “Don’t tell me you don’t miss being in my arms.”

Meredith closed her eyes again. “Conceited.”

“But I’m correct.”

He eased her down gently and bundled pillows behind her head. When Grayling sat at her side, her head really began to throb in earnest. His fingers brushed her face. “Stay awake. Talk to me.”

She scowled. “Terrible question to ask an injured woman. What would you like to talk about?”

A wet cloth pressed at her temple. “Cunningham appeared rather too free with your person.”

Meredith pressed the heel of her hand to her head. “Oh for heaven’s sake. Now is not the time to gripe about overfamiliarity between servants. He was there when the accident occurred and helped me to my feet. When the world wobbled, he supported me. If he?

??d not done so, would you still be complaining?”

“Damn right I would.” The cloth was removed and returned colder than before. “He should have called for help before making you walk the length of the Hall.”

“A dozen or so paces,” Meredith murmured. “I was worried about Willow.”

The bed dipped again and a small shape brushed her limbs. When Meredith peeked, Willow had climbed up on her bed, but her eyes were filled with tears again. Meredith opened her arms to the terrified girl and let her sob against her chest.

When the tears eased, Meredith rubbed her back. “It will take more than a child’s toy to hurt me seriously. Why, I once escaped bandits and lived in the woods for a whole month on morning dew and green pickles. A little ball is nothing compared to that.”

As hoped, Willow ceased crying and simply snuggled against her. The feeling was rather nice. Gray’s children were very cuddly creatures. They were forever sitting on her lap or sneaking into her bedchamber in the morning when they woke before her. Her narrow bed got rather crowded at times.

Gray, however, wasn’t in a similar mood. His eyes narrowed to slits, gaze growing hard as ice chips. “Is any part of that true?”

Meredith shivered. “You never know.”

“No,’ he said angrily. “I never do, and I think you enjoy keeping me in perpetual confusion.”

“You sent for me, my lord?” the housekeeper asked from the doorway.

Grayling quickly spun off the bed to make room. “A blow to the head.”

The housekeeper’s glance was shrewd. “Let’s have a look at her.”

The housekeeper had a light touch and soft voice. Meredith appreciated both. Now she had time to consider the matter, she felt rather foolish for being felled by a child’s toy and by Grayling’s panic. He shouldn’t behave in such a way where other servants could hear. She hoped he would not take long to get command of himself again.

When Mrs. Smith drew back, she smiled kindly at her master. “No need for a poultice, but best keep her awake with chatter, my lord. I’ll send Miss Cunningham up to assist.”

Meredith groaned. She could never be comfortable with Miss Cunningham in her bedchamber. But she wasn’t really in a position to argue. She was a servant and had to do as she was told. She closed her eyes, very ready to feign sleep to avoid looking at the girl.

“Excuse us,” Grayling said and left her alone once more. Meredith watched him follow the housekeeper out with a heavy heart and then closed her eyes as the pain throbbed. For a moment, it had been lovely to be so cared for.

Willow shuffled about, the bed depressed as another bundle fell across her skirts. When she cracked her lids open, Maisy had arrived to share the vigil. She smiled at the little girl and brushed her finger over the tip of her nose. The little ball of mischief grinned and then quickly wriggled off the bed, disappearing beneath. “Maisy come out of there,” she whispered softly and then regretted speaking in the first place. The thumping in her head increased. “Please.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Gray informed her as he drew a spindly chair close to the bed. Dear God, he didn’t mean to have Miss Cunningham sit that close, did he? She’d never have a moment’s peace.

Meredith licked her lips. “Where’s Poppy?”

“Nurse is with her for now.”