A Lady for Lord Randall (Brides of Waterloo)

‘He accused me of taking his sword.’

‘Did he now? Yet he was wearing it when you found him, wasn’t he?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then he must know the truth now, miss. He must know you didn’t take it.’

‘But it wasn’t just that.’ She hesitated. ‘He thinks me a fortune hunter.’

‘I’ve never had you down as that, miss, and I don’t think his lordship really believes it, either, whatever he might have said in the heat of the moment. He’s had enough caps set at him over the years to know the difference.’

She tried to smile.

‘You make it sound so simple, Robbins.’

‘It is simple, Miss Endacott. His lordship ain’t a great one with words, but if he’s wronged you he’ll be as sorry as he can be. Only you must give him time to tell you so, in his own way.’

‘But if he doesn’t want me here—’

‘If you will excuse me for saying so,’ he interrupted her, ‘Lord Randall is in no position to know what is best for him at the moment. Besides, where am I going to find another nurse to look after him as you do? The whole of Brussels is like one big hospital now. They are even nursing the wounded on the streets.’

‘That is true, I suppose.’

‘Of course it is. Now you go back in and sit with his lordship and I’ll brew a dish of tea for you. I managed to buy some black bohea when I went out this morning.’

‘Especially for me? Oh, how kind—thank you, Robbins.’

The manservant flushed a little and shifted uncomfortably.

‘Aye, well, it is for you, because his lordship would never drink such stuff.’

‘Well, perhaps he will do so now,’ returned Mary, smiling. ‘It might be quite beneficial to his recovery.’

She went back into the bedroom, comforted by the manservant’s support.

* * *

When Randall opened his eyes again he found Mary sitting beside his bed.

‘So you are awake at last, my lord.’

‘How long have I been here?’ Every breath was painful and his voice seemed to be little more than a thread.

‘We fetched you from Waterloo yesterday.’

‘We?’

‘Why, yes, sir. Sergeant Hollins and some of your men came to the schoolhouse yesterday, looking for you.’

A delicate colour tinted her cheeks and she wouldn’t meet his eyes when she explained this. He cursed silently. So even the Rogues believed she was his mistress. How could he have been so irresponsible?

‘You went to the village, to Waterloo?’

‘We found you on the battlefield.’

The information made his blood run cold.

‘I would not have had you see it, Mary.’