The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(41)

"Carrots, beans, turnips, cabbages, lettuce, potatoes..."



He enjoyed the flower garden best, however, and smelled the rose buds enthusiastically, rattling off the names. She checked the sticks; he was correct on every count.



"It will be a while longer before they're at their best," he said.



"I know, but you can help tend them. I'm sure they will be the best we've ever had. Who knows, with your help in the garden, maybe we'll take first prize in the County fair."



"I'll try my best, if you will."



"It's a bargain." She patted him on the shoulder.



"Show me where your tools are."



She let him search through them, warning him only when there was anything particularly sharp. "I'll put the more dangerous ones here to the right so you don't have to worry about handling the others carefully."



"Good idea. Thank you."



"And one other suggestion, if I may?"



"Yes?"



"Your clothes. Jonathan has a gardening set. Do you want to go in and change?"



"Yes, fine."



"I'll get them for you."



While he was changing, she did the same, putting on an old gown, and an apron over it. They weeded the flowerbeds in companionable silence for over an hour. Then she made him pick some fresh herbs for dinner.



"Parsley, thyme, marjoram, chive...."



"You see, it's all coming back to you." She smiled, pleased at his progress. Then she recollected that he couldn't see her encouraging expression, and so hugged him lightly around the waist.



"I suppose it never left."



He placed the bunches carefully in her basket, and took it from her. Grasping her hand, he walked with her down the path and into the house. They took off their dirty boots and left them by the door. They entered her small sitting room, where they warmed themselves by the fire.



"Supper will be ready in about an hour. Would you like to rest before?"



"I'm going to wash up and change first, and after, if I may, I'd like to try your pianoforte."



She managed to keep the surprise and doubt out of her tone. "Certainly, if you like."



They both went upstairs to their rooms, and soon she could hear footsteps heading downwards once more, then the strains of Mozart coming from the sitting room.



Even more surprising was when he began to sing an aria in Italian, one of her brother's favorites.



"I'm speechless. Italian too," she commented when she went downstairs some time later. "You must certainly have known Jonathan very well to know that song. I wonder why he never mentioned you in his letters. But then, he was always so busy, and I suspect many of his missives never even arrived. But the other Rakehells must have known you too. I wonder at them never mentioning you. Jet-black hair, pale golden eyes, tanned complexion, as I am sure you must have had when you looked healthier. Hmm. It's a puzzle."



Alexander remained silent. He could think of several reasons why his brother might not have mentioned him to his sheltered and well-bred sister. None of them were pleasant.



His head began to pound in the achingly familiar way it did when he was trying too hard to remember, or when the memories came tumbling out, as they had done today. Most of the time he was not able to make sense out of them, but Sarah Deveril was a perceptive woman.



"And the Italian. Can you translate it?"



"I think so, but- Oh God."



He pitched forward, crashing down onto the keys with a discordant note. She shouted for Caleb and Jenny and pushed in beside him on the bench. She put one arm around his shoulder and lifted his head. He had hit his head on the sharp edge of the ornamental music holder, and a small drop of blood trickled out of the wound. She pressed her handkerchief to the gash, and looked up in relief as Caleb came running in.



"Here, help me get him to the divan in the other room."



They half-dragged, half-carried him to the small sitting room, and got the large man onto it with a bit of maneuvering. She drew the covers over his chest and brushed back his tousled hair.



"Do you want me to fetch the doctor?"



"Yes. Send Jenny. I may need you here to help me lift him."



He went off to tell his wife, while she stanched the flow of blood.



Alexander looked to be in severe pain. His lips were white and compressed, and his fingers bunched into fists which clutched the blanket.



Caleb returned a short time later. Sarah sent him out again for the vinegar and brown paper. She gave him a list of other necessities when he came back again.



"Some brandy and cool water to bathe his face, in a separate basin, please. And get me the caraway and ginger, and some white wine."