The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(25)

"That will be fine. I'll take your advice and go back to bed."



"See you soon."



He waved at her.



She shut the door with a sigh and a song on her lips and descended to the kitchen to place the order for breakfast. Caleb was happy to help the young man, and filled a tray with toast, tea, marmalade and chocolate.



"That's to tide him over until the wife can get the rest of it cooked."



Sarah grinned. If she knew Jenny, she would stuff Alexander like a Christmas goose. "Very good. And if you can bring him some hot water and soap for his hands, and some clean linens for after his bath this morning, that will be most helpful."



"He just had a bath," Caleb said in surprise.



"It eased his pain considerably."



"In that case, I shall get the fire going again post haste," he said, bustling off.



Sarah was pleased he didn't resent the newcomer after all, and was in fact quite eager to help him. She went into her study to fetch the papers where Caleb usually left them for her, and looked around the room. With a day bed made up by the hearth, she could do her ledgers and correspondence and still keep an eye on her guest. She still had a pile of letters, and was sure she had seen the familiar writing of her friend Randall Avenel's secretary, and even one from Gareth Cavendish addressed to her brother.



They would certainly all be surprised to hear Pamela and Jonathan were married, Sarah thought with a happy smile. And that Ashton Manor was empty and ready for Gareth any time he was able to take up the reins as steward. And if there was a letter from Blake Sanderson, she would be able to make further plans for him taking over as chief medical officer at the women's clinic. Perhaps he could even visit for a few days, give his professional opinion on Alexander's condition.



Wouldn't that be wonderful? she thought, delighted at the prospect of doing more to help her unusual visitor.



When Caleb came back down again to empty the chamber pot and ready everything for Alexander's bath, she asked what he thought of bringing the spare divan down from the box room.



"A good idea. I'll fetch it and get it made up in a trice."



"My er, my cousin will be most grateful for your help."



"What shall we call him, Miss?"



"Oh, um, Mr. Alexander will do nicely."



"Very good, Miss. I shall tell Jenny."



He scurried off to do his errands.



Sarah went into the Wedgwood drawing room to keep out of his way whilst he got the day bed ready. She opened the windows in the sitting room to let in the fresh spring breeze, and moved a few more pieces of furniture out of the way to make it less cluttered for her visitor.



She went up to her room to fetch a dark-blue wool day gown and fresh undergarments. A pair of dark cotton stockings and her good sturdy boots would complete her outfit. Her only ornaments were some dark hair ribbons to match the gown, and her gold and sapphire cross, a gift from her brother and as such her most precious ornament.



She placed her things in the bathroom, and tested the water. Since it was still not hot enough, she went into the kitchen to see Jenny, who was just putting the finishing touches to the breakfast tray.



"It looks wonderful."



"I'll bring it up to him, Miss."



"No need. I'll keep an eye on him upstairs, and read to him."



"Very good, Miss."



Sarah blinked. If she didn't know better, she would have said the dour old Jenny was smiling.



She placed the papers on the tray and went upstairs. She found Alexander lying on his back, propped against the headboard with his eyes closed.



"Are you feeling poorly again?" she asked softly, leaning over to whisper almost in his ear.



He stretched and gave a slow smile that could only be described as sensual. Her mouth went dry at his magnificence. If anything he was even more spectacular clad in the velvet robe, which offer her tantalizing peeps of his rippling chest.



"No, I'm fine. Just enjoying the birdsong and the sunshine on my face."



"No headache today?"



"None. Your ministrations were most efficacious." He smiled again, showing a dazzlingly fine set of teeth.



She was so stunned she nearly dropped the tray. Only as she fumbled with it did she recall that she was in fact still carrying it.



"I'm glad you're feeling well. Now, I'm going to put the tray on your lap."



He sat up a bit more and she placed it carefully on his thighs. She handed him a napkin, which he tucked into the top of the dressing gown and smoothed out.



She took her own plate and put it on the bedside table, along with some cutlery and a napkin. She filled a teacup and placed it on his tray. Then she handed him a fork, tines down. She moved his right hand around the plate clockwise. "Bacon, sausage, black pudding, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, all in bite-sized pieces." She took his left hand. "Cup, toast, butter, marmalade."