Lord Valorous(25)

Poppy had been put in the seat closest to the fire and was attempting to not warm herself, but doing just that. She was so close, he feared she may catch alight.

"Take off your coat, Miss March."

"I am quite comfortable with it on, thank you, my lord."

"But when you leave you will not get the benefit."

"As I will be leaving shortly, I'm sure I shall be fine, thank you."

"You will not be leaving shortly, and when you do eventually leave, you will not be walking."

Her mouth pursed.

"I will be leaving soon," she said, shooting a look at Marcus and Charlotte, who were watching them closely. "And I am quite all right to walk about London as I am. In fact, I shall call a hackney."

She thought she had him there.

"You have no money."



       
         
       
        

"Jacob, that's not very nice," Marcus said.

"He's not very nice," Poppy said, her eyes still focused on him. "He's bossy, and... and-"

"Come now, I'm sure you can do better than bossy, Poppy," Jacob said in a pleasant voice. "After all, what have I done? No wait, I know. I have said I would look into your concern for Lady Revel. Attempted to get you medical help. Oh, and then there was the job offer, and the tea and scones I purchased for you."

"Why does she need medical help?"

"I'm sure Poppy will enlighten you as to why she needs medical help, Charlotte."

Mulish was the only description for her expression. He just bet she was the stubbornest of her siblings, and had led her parents on a merry dance through her childhood.

"I had a slight accident."

Jacob snorted. "Someone attempted to abduct her, she fought back, and fell. Her fingers were twisted and are now quite swollen, and I would guess, extremely painful. She also has a nasty lump on the back of her head."

Charlotte got to her feet and moved to where Poppy stood.

"Do let me see them, Miss March. I have had some practice at looking after sick people."

"That does not make you an expert, my love," her husband drawled.

Charlotte ignored him and trapped Poppy in her seat.

"Show me the hand, please."

"I... oh-"

"Don't fight it, Miss March. My wife will win, believe me."

Jacob watched Charlotte lift Poppy's hand and study the fingers. As he'd seen them, Jacob kept his distance. Looking at them made him angry, and that made him uncomfortable.

"Oh, my dear Miss March, these must be giving you considerable pain."

"They are not too bad."

"She has been going to work with them also. Miss March is cleaning in a brothel at the present time, Charlotte," Jacob said, watching Poppy. She looked horrified that he'd told his friends. "I have offered her temporary employment with us, helping Perkins. She lost her position with Lady Revel, and was dismissed without a reference."

"Oh dear, that cannot have been fun. I have been in a few brothels, and I can assure you they are no place for a lady such as yourself."

Jacob snorted as Poppy's mouth fell open.

"I-I … . You have been into a brothel, my lady?"

"My wife ran a house for prostitutes in need of support. She would go into brothels to collect woman if they needed help."

Poppy snapped her mouth shut at Marcus's words, then hissed as Charlotte prodded a sore finger.

"I don't believe they are broken, just badly bruised, Miss March. But it would pay you to try not to use them. Perhaps a sling will help there." 

"Of course, I shall do that at once, and thank you, my lady."

She wouldn't use a sling; Jacob would stake his fortune on that.

"Jacob, ring for a maid. We shall get something soft to wrap around the fingers, and a sling."

He rose to do as he was bid, and ordered tea at the same time. When he returned, Charlotte was standing behind Poppy studying her lump.

"'Tis quite swollen, and I will have something sent to your address to ease the pain, Miss March, as soon as I return home."

"Oh no... really there is no need. It is improving daily."

Charlotte would do it, Jacob knew, and he felt relieved that Poppy was receiving care.

"You simply must take the position with the Lords of Night Street, Miss March, and then you can tell me all you learn, as they will not, and Perkins is terribly closemouthed," Charlotte added after she had returned to her seat.

"I-I don't think I would-"

"Miss March," Marcus interrupted her. "I am not entirely sure why you are not taking the position, even if it is only temporary until you can find another as a companion. The money will be good, the building is warm and quiet, and Perkins is a pleasant enough fellow, if a little dour. Added to that is the fact you will see little of us."