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“Where did you learn about all of this?”
“My father, mostly. My brothers and I taught ourselves how to throw for fun. We would go off into the woods and try to kill a few trees.” He chuckled. “The trees usually lived. I do have a nice scar on my leg from a time where Charlie missed completely.”
“I remember that. My mother was terribly worried about that slash. It was quite deep if I remember.”
“Hurt like h—never mind. Charlie felt awful about the whole thing.”
“You are lucky you didn’t end up with a limp.” She stared at his thigh, which only made his usual lascivious thoughts start.
He had to concentrate on what they were there for... her safety. “Tomorrow we shall try the knives and see if that works better for you. How are your ribs feeling now?”
“Much better, thank you. Hopefully, we can start the other training soon.”
Other training? What other training was she... oh, the physical training of how to ward off a man. That would involve him coming up from behind her, holding her against him. The images in his mind changed from platonic to erotic in a flash. He suddenly could only think about coming up behind her and entering her softness. Feeling her moisture pool around his hard shaft as he drove himself in deeply.
“Simon?”
Hearing her voice roused him from his thoughts. “Sorry, I was woolgathering.”
“About your books again? I have told you, I am very good with numbers. Let me help you.”
“Thank you, Mia, but I can handle the estate. As far as the other training, I will need to speak with your mother to determine if you are healthy enough for the physical challenges.”
“I know better than my mother if I am ready,” she said petulantly. “But of course you will need to hear it from her. I’m sure she will be back this afternoon.” She walked away without another word.
“Mia, wait for me,” he said, running to catch up to her. “I am sorry if I upset you.”
“You have no idea.”
“About what?”
“What it’s like being her daughter. I know just as much as she does about herbs and healing yet every person on this estate defers to her. My sister doesn’t go through this at Middleton’s estate. Tia is the wise woman there, while I am just the apprentice.” She fisted her hands tightly. “It makes me so angry.”
“Why?”
“Tia doesn’t even want to be a wise woman. That’s part of the reason why she ran off to London. It wasn’t just to chase after Mr. Tavers.”
Simon knew Miss Tia Featherstone had left Middleton Hall only a few weeks ago. The assumption had been that she was chasing the viscount’s younger brother. Was there more to her departure than just an infatuation? “Why else did she leave?”
“She wanted to see the world, or at least England,” she replied bitterly. “After she left, I told my mother I would go stay at Tia’s cottage and care for Middleton’s tenants. My mother told me not to leave here. That she could handle both estates.” Mia brushed a tear away.
“Mia, I’m sorry. I had no idea. Do you think there might have been a reason she didn’t want you to leave?”
“Of course, she doesn’t think I can handle being a wise woman. I am not good enough at it.”
“That’s absurd. I’ve seen your wo
rk. You are excellent both as a healer and with the way you handle your patients. I can’t believe your mother would think you inferior.”
She shook her head. “Do you have another explanation?”
They approached the house so he put his hand on her to stop her. There was no reason the servants needed to hear this conversation. “Perhaps your mother felt it was more important that you stay here and continue to build your relationship with my tenants. Once your mother decides to retire, you will be the only one handling the sick here.”
“Then she should have gone to Middleton Hall herself.”
Seeing the anguish in her soulful brown eyes was killing him. He wanted to comfort her, but Simon couldn’t deny that there was something wrong here. Was it possible her mother was involved with the Allan Davies affair? Could she have known Davies was a man who beat women and thought Mia would be safer here where Simon could protect her? He would speak with her in private on this matter. “Perhaps you are right. Have you ever asked your mother outright why she didn’t want you to go to Middleton Hall?”
She looked down at the ground and bit her lower lip. “I saw no point. She wouldn’t tell me the truth. For whatever reason, she doesn’t believe I can understand her reasons.”
