The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(224)

He looked in the boot of the carriage, and found an axe and a shovel. He shouldered the axe and went in search of more branches, and some firewood.



As he struggled back to the line of trees, the greatcoat was tugged unmercifully by the wind, and his bare throat already felt raw. He knew he was freezing, rapidly running out of time. He could already feel the overwhelming sleepiness which the bitter cold provoked.



He shinned up a likely tree which had some good low-hanging branches, and worked manfully to get a collection of them together. He cut four to serve as splints, and hacked several more to use for fuel. He climbed down and ran back to the carriage as fast as he could with his load.



He debated on making one more trip. But he was just too cold, and he didn't want Belle to worry any more than she had to.



Back at the carriage he dropped the firewood, took the splints, and unstrapped his valises from the back. He swung everything on top of the other coach and climbed up himself. He said quietly, "Look out below. I'm coming down."





CHAPTER FIVE



Belle's look of relief at Blake's return was unmistakable. "Thank God you're back. I was so worried. The storm sounds worse."



He lowered the things in and climbed down.



At last she saw his face clearly. He was white and pinched-looking, his coat frozen and full of snow, the top of his partly-bared chest raw, his hands shaking.



She put one small hand on his shoulder. "We need to look after you first, Doctor," she said. "You won't be able to help any of us if you're sick yourself."



Blake nodded gratefully. He was shivering so badly he could barely speak. He most certainly could not bend his fingers. She snatched open one valise and pulled out the clothes, a clean shirt and several jackets which she put to one side, and more shirts and stocks.



Then she helped him off with his greatcoat, jacket and waistcoat, and assisted him in donning his shirt. She patiently redressed him as though he were a child, wondering at her nerve in doing so. Touching a half-naked man... A huge, half-naked man, she thought with a hot blush.



He was after all a complete stranger, and could be dangerous. Dangerous to her virtue if nothing else, she admitted to herself candidly, for the was the most attractive man she had ever set eyes on.



Jet black hair with a slight wave to it, delicately arched ebony brows over remarkable warm clear hazel eyes, an aquiline nose, high cheekbones, a beautifully sculpted mouth, strong chin, she was sure he had to be every woman's dream of masculine perfection.



Married with ten children, no doubt, she thought to herself, trying not to be shy in front of him after she had seen his fabulous chest, huge broad shoulders and muscular arms, his enormous hands that could span her waist.



He was tall, with powerful thighs and calves, and looked far larger even than her own step-brother Peter, whom she knew to be over six feet two.



But now was not the time to dwell on the man's incredible attributes. She got a dry waistcoat and jacket on him, noting the rich flannel and wool fabrics, inhaling the rich smells and detecting his own fragrance as well, fine lavender soap and rich leather. No aroma of cigars or drink clung to him, which relieved her no end.



She blinked up at him again, unable to help but stare at his arresting masculine attractiveness. He was now clad in a black coat and forest green waistcoat, which set off his eyes, and if anything made him look even more stunning.



She helped him on with his great coat and scarf once more, while he continued to hold his frozen hands up out of harm's way. He was still shivering, so she leaned forward and threw the other jackets over his shoulders and encircled him in her arms.



She wrapped the travelling rugs around them both. He resisted for a moment, but she placed the hot water bottle in between them on his lap, and began to work on his hands.



"M-m-mustn't rub," he said.



"I know." She warmed each one in turn with her own two palms, and blew on them while Blake sat there shivering, his teeth still chattering uncontrollably.



Her delicate touch, the intimacy of her rosy lips occasionally brushing his fingers, was the most erotic thing he had ever experienced his life.



He tried to tell himself that he was being absurd. But he had rarely shared any tenderness with a woman, let alone one so lovely, or so young. Innocent-looking…



As he warmed, his sleepiness increased, and he felt his head bobbing down to rest upon her shoulder.



"You can't fall asleep," she whispered.



"I know. I'm just so tired all of a sudden."



"It's the cold. Stay with me, Doctor. You need to stay awake."



He blinked owlishly and lifted his head, though he leaned more heavily upon her while she blew on his hands until the painful stinging sensation subsided and he could bend his fingers again.