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Dr. Stevens inhaled deeply, a pleasant smile lighting up her face.
She was truly a lovely looking woman. She’d obviously fixed her light brown hair with golden highlights into some sort of a topknot or chignon, but wisps of hair and springy curls had fought their way out and surrounded her face.
A beautiful face with clear blue eyes, well-arched dark eyebrows and lips that were made for kissing. When she smiled, it all came together to entice the viewer.
“I do,” she answered. “But I also grow all my own herbs for medicinal purposes. It is what I do, actually, to relax myself and deal with the stress.”
She held up her hand in warning but did smile. “Don’t say that, please.”
He placed his hand on his heart. “What? Surely you don’t think your statement would result in an improper response from me?”
She tilted her head at him and smirked. “No. Of course I never thought that. Imagine.”
He was enjoying this time with the doctor. Apparently, there was a soft part to her. Although being a doctor she would have to deal with situations that required a lot of compassion. How well she had treated his injuries even though she plainly disliked him was a fine example.
Plainly disliked him.
Now that thought hurt.
Chapter 5
It was the beginning of the tenth day of Lord Sterling’s stay at her infirmary, and she had decided ‘twould be his last.
His cuts and scratches had healed well, his wrist was working, and his ribs no longer required wrapping. Rayne had gotten him a sturdy cane that he used to get around while still in the cast. She found his initial reaction to the cane comical. At first, he refused to use it, saying it was for old men.
Then when she suggested he remain in the wheelchair until his leg was completely healed, he decided to give the cane another go. He would have trouble maneuvering stairs, but with the number of servants he most likely employed, she was sure he would be fine.
Somewhere along the line they had called a truce. He no longer baited her continuously, and the few times he did, she laughed, rather than scolding him. She was a bit annoyed with herself to find her opinion of him was changing.
Underneath that very improper man was one of intelligence, caring and kindness. The longer she knew him, the more she was certain that something had happened in his life to turn him toward self-destruction.
“Dr. Stevens, if you have the time to spare today, perhaps we can take a stroll in the garden.” Sterling sat on the edge of the bed he’d occupied for ten days, looking fit and hardy. His valet had begun arriving each morning to prepare him for the day, doing a much better job that Walter had.
Randolph was a middle-aged man, paunchy in the middle with thinning hair atop his head. He was a cheerful sort, respectful of her, and devoted to his employer.
“Yes. I believe I will have time today for a bit of exercise in the garden. When is your driver expected to escort you home?” A little twinge of sorrow nudged at her insides. Once they’d gotten past their mutual antagonism, they had developed a fair friendship of sorts. Being quite adept at numbers, Lord Sterling had surprisingly taken over her books.
He’d learned that there were patients—many of them with means—who had not paid for her services. Plus, he was certain some of the people she dealt with for food, medicines, and other supplies were cheating her.
“Why don’t you pay closer attention to these things?” he’d asked the first time she allowed him to look at her books. “You’re working incredible hours and you’re being robbed.” He’d been requesting for a way to help her since he stated she was very busy while he had nothing to do but stare at his leg all day.
“I’m afraid I’m one of those people who trusts that the people I do business with are honest.”
“Like you,” he added with a soft smile.
“Well, yes. I mean, why would they cheat me?”
“Because that’s the way some people do business. And what about all these patients who have not paid you?”
She leaned over his shoulder and looked at the long list of debtors. “That many?”
He turned and studied her with something between annoyance and humor. “Yes, Dr. Stevens. That many.”
He had then begun his campaign—from his sickbed—to correspond with those who owed her, and those who cheated her.
Yes. She would miss him.
“Randolph told him to arrive about three this afternoon,” Sterling said in answer to her question.
