The Earl and His Virgin Countess(7)
Andrew crouched before her and asked the maid, “Do you have any ice?”
“Oui.”
“Fetch some, please.”
“No!” the injured lady said. “I mean, it isn’t proper for us to be left alone.”
Raising an eyebrow, he tried hard not to scoff. “I hate to bring up the obvious, but did you think there would be a maid with us the whole evening?”
“No, of course not, I thought—that is, I didn’t think—it would be you.”
“I see.” Standing, he took a few steps back, but never took his eyes off her. What had he done to this woman for her to be so opposed to spending the evening with him? He wasn’t the town’s most notorious rake, and he had no recollections being with her before, at least not long enough to have offended her.
The maid returned with a bowl of ice and a cloth, and handed them to him. “Monsieur.”
“Thank you. Would you have the prepared food brought into this room?”
“Yes, sir.”
He placed a few chunks of ice into the cloth then, turning toward his maiden in distress, he asked, “Shall I place this on your ankle, or do you wish to do it yourself?” Andrew could not imagine how she planned to do it without his help.
She took a minute to debate her answer. “Would you be so kind as to assist me?”
“I am yours to command.” He smiled, her words must have tasted like crow. “So what exactly happened?”
“With the carriage, you mean?”
“Aye.”
“Honestly, I can’t say for sure. We hit a bump and, the next thing I knew, I was bounced into the air, and we were sitting at an odd angle. The rear wheel—” She hissed as the ice touched her stockinged leg.
“Continue,” he urged, although he already had a good idea what had happened. But he wanted to take her mind off her injury.
“What—oh right, the rear wheel was in pieces, smashed beyond recognition.”
“You are lucky.”
“How so?”
“You might have been killed or thrown from the carriage. People have died of lesser accidents.” He knew firsthand, as a cousin had died in that very manner.
The blood drained from her face, leaving a greenish tint. Without thinking, he lifted her into his arms and walked the few steps to a nearby chaise lounge. He laid her down so her foot rested on the back and her head lay where her feet should have been.
“Do you need me to call for a maid to ease your corset ties?”
“No…maybe.” She sighed. “I am not usually one to fall into vapors.”
“I never thought you were.” In truth, he believed she wasn’t. “You have had a bit of a shock tonight. When did you last eat?”
“This morning,”
“Is the room spinning?”
“Not so bad now that I am lying down. Thank you.”
“Nothing I wouldn’t have done for any lady in need.” He smiled. They were interrupted by a knock on the door. The maid entered then paused. “What is it?” he asked.
“The servants are uncomfortable entering when you are both present, milord. It’s the policy for no one to see both persons. Tonight we have broken that rule. They—we would all like to amend that now.”
“I understand. If you will leave the food on a trolley in the hall, I will bring it in. Thank you.”
“Merci.”
“Wait. Before you leave, let me step out so that you may help….” He paused and looked at the lady on the chaise. “It occurs to me I have yet to acquire your name.”
“Miranda.”
“Miss Miranda is in need of some assistance.” He bowed before leaving them alone for the maid to release her stays. A butler met him as he walked out and Andrew asked, “Have you arranged for her ride home?”
“We are working on repairing the wheel. It appears to be the only damage. But that will take a few hours. We do not want to send her home in your carriage, as it’s marked with your family seal, and a hackney can’t guarantee secrecy.”
“Understandable. The lady will also require assistance into her residence, as I do not believe she can walk on that ankle.”
“We will send a servant or two to assist her.”
“Very well.”
The butler left him in the hall to his thoughts, Miranda being the main one. Hell. There were seven Mirandas of his acquaintance in the ton alone. So her name, though not as popular as some, was still common enough. And while her voice caused a sizzle of recognition, he’d never seen her face. He would have remembered her. It did seem unfortunate she knew him and hated the association. None of this helped him understand her any better.