“Madam.” He interrupted using a gentle tone, and in that moment something cracked in Abby’s chest. “I’m not removing you from your home. That is not what this conversation is about. I want you to be well provided for, as befits your station. I want you to have choices. If you want to remain here, you are welcome to. But if you would like to have your own residence, I would make arrangements for that as well. Not the dower house, as it stands in its present condition. But a proper residence, in good repair.”
Tears sprang to the countess’s eyes. Abby saw them through her own tears. For him to concern himself with his father’s widow, whom he had never met before, whom he could have resented for taking his mother’s place. It was... Well; she didn’t have words to describe it. She had never seen such generosity or empathy from another man.
“I... Thank you. You are very generous, my lord. I didn’t know what to expect from Alfred’s son, but certainly not someone so... caring. I will think of what you said. Until moments ago, I thought my only two choices were to live here, if you’d allow it, or retire to the dower house. I would like to consult with Abigail. And my daughter, too. She will be returning from school next week, and you will get to meet her.”
He nodded and smiled. “Of course. Take as much time as you need. There’s no rush to decide anything. I just wanted you to know that you have choices.”
“Thank you. Now let's drink our tea before it gets cold.” The countess said with a watery chuckle.
They drank tea and ate little cakes, making small talk for a few minutes before the countess started wilting in her chair, a clear sign she was in pain, but she was too well mannered to mention it. Abigail was about to intervene when Colin noticed.
“Forgive me if I’m being indelicate, my lady. But are you in pain?”
The countess grimaced. “Yes. My back is bothering me today. I fear I may have to take to my bed and skip dinner tonight.”
He cleared his throat. “You may not be aware, but I’m a trained physician, specialized in orthopedics. And my secretary is an expert in Chinese medicine. If you would let us help you, I could assess your condition, ask him to work with you. Maybe we could find some way to reduce the pain.”
“Thank you, but no. I have already been to so many doctors. They have only poked and prodded and made me feel worse. I’m done with doctors.” Then, as if realizing what she had said, her eyes widened, and she added. “No offense, my lord.”
Colin laughed. “None taken. I felt the same way at one point in my life. But Wang is not a regular doctor. He is Chinese, and practices a more ancient and sometimes wiser type of medicine. I’ve seen his techniques help many patients when Western doctors could not. He has also helped me tremendously in managing my condition.”
Abigail’s head snapped to him at that last comment. He was so big and strong, so solid, that she tended to forget that he had back problems, too. Deformity, he had called it. She had noticed nothing. But perhaps it wasn’t evident over the clothes. Did he suffer pain from that condition? She remembered the way he had walked up the stairs, as if he were in pain.
It was hard to believe anything handicapped this powerful man. With an intensity that surprised her, she wanted to know. Wanted to help and soothe.
Foolishness, of course. What did she know of what ailed him? He already had an expert in his employ. Besides, she never wanted to get that close to another man. Even one as compassionate as this one.
CHAPTER 9
“THAT WAS VERY GENEROUS. What you did for Lady Hartfield.”
Colin looked up from the ledgers he was examining on his desk to find Abigail at the door to his study. He usually never saw her during the afternoons. After their morning ride over the estate, she went to the countess and he would labor away over paperwork until his vision blurred. To see her twice in the same afternoon was a special treat.
He leaned back in his chair and met her calm eyes. His back had been bothering him since this morning’s ride. The sitting position, bending over paperwork, had nor helped. He surreptitiously stretched his aching muscles.
“Think nothing of it, Abigail. It was simply the right thing to do.”
