Callie started to tell him she would never think that, but he stood. He didn’t turn as he headed for the stable door. “I’ll fetch help. You should not be out here alone with me.”
“It would not matter,” she said barely above a whisper. “Thank you for your help.”
The large brass bell rang outside to call the stable men back.
****
Callie was able to walk on her ankle by the time they reached the house. After much convincing, she’d persuaded Ellis not to fetch the doctor. It was against his better judgment, but he finally gave in. He ordered the maids to find her dry clothes. This wasn’t an easy task; there were no women of his family left in the house. The maids came up with a plain dark wool dress with blue lace cuffs.
When she arrived back downstairs, he wondered how she managed to look so lovely in such a matronly garment. He ordered a carriage to be brought ‘round and ordered one of the maids to escort her home. He wanted to go with her and make sure she was all right, but he’d caused enough damage for one night.
One thing was definitely true ; she shouldn’t be alone with him. He wanted her too much. Was this the reason he’d acted like a stallion and not a gentleman? He’d been in the stables too long? Maybe he should be gelded, that would do it. He grimaced at the mere thought.
Ellis carried a blanket he’d had the kitchen staff fill with heated bricks. He waited until the two women were inside the carriage, then poked his head in and placed the bricks under Callie’s feet. He drew wool blankets over her lap. “Are you sure you are well enough to travel?”
“Yes. Thank you… for everything, milord.” A blush tinted her cheeks.
Even the kiss? He closed the carriage door and bid her goodnight. Ellis licked his lower lip and swore under his breath. The taste of her mouth still lingered there. He was trying to figure out why he had kissed her as he wandered back toward the house. He had done many brainless things in his life, such as putting Lady Bariming’s goats in her attic. But kissing Callie again moved to the top of the list. She was wounded. In his care. In his family’s stables! For God’s sake.
Ellis stalked to the study and poured half a glass of brandy. He downed it in one gulp.
After months of recovery in the hospital, he swore when he returned from the war, he would not feel sorry for himself. But, if Callie turned him away when he was virile and strong, what must she think of him now?
A gunshot sounded behind him and his heart nearly stopped. He grabbed the edge of the piano. Keep your senses, man, it was only a door slamming. Ellis pulled in a shaky breath.
“Was that Callie Dunning? Our carriages passed while I was on the way in,” a deep voice asked.
Clarke. How did brothers manage to arrive at the least opportune times? And slam bloody doors when they entered a room?
“You could have sent ahead and told me you were coming.” He turned and glared at him.
“Earlier today, I ran into father. He invited me to dinner. Do I need an engraved invitation? I haven’t seen much of you in the past few months.”
“How is Adeline?”
“She’s with child.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Could you pour me some of that brandy you’re hoarding?” Clarke came along side him and took the filled snifter. “You never answered my question. Is Callie Dunning back in your life?”
“She is helping tame one of my temperamental horses. Nothing more.”
“You told me you loved her once. Is that still true?” Clarke took a sip from his glass and eyed him over the rim.
“No,” Ellis said tersely.
“But you did.”
“Everything has changed. I wasn’t a cripple when I wished to ask for her hand the first time.”
“Did she say that? Call you a cripple?”
“Of course not. But what else could she think? That damn war. That bloody damn war.” Ellis took his cane and dashed his glass off the sidebar. It crashed against the wall and splintered into a million silver shards.
“Are you finished?” Clarke asked. “I think I have my answer. I did need to come.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You just said it, ‘That bloody damned war’.” Clarke sat in one of the high backed brocade chairs and dropped his hands between his knees. “Spencer is starting a group. To… help us with what we are going through since our return.”
“I’m not going to some candy girls group to cry into…”