Page 44 of A Wicked Duke's Redemption
“You sounded almost like a poet just then.”
Leo grinned. “I would not say that until you have heard my attempts at meter, my Lady.”
Violet hummed. Her eyes darted to his ankle. “Is there anything I can bring you? I shall apply the compress when it is brought, but to…make you more comfortable?”
“No,” Leo replied. “I am quite comfortable as long as I have you.”
And that salve. He did not say that, of course, for while the sentiment was certainly felt, even Leo knew that was not a particularly romantic thing to say.
“Would you like me to remove your other shoe?” Violet asked, her lips twitching into a small smile. “You do look a little silly with just one.”
Leo laughed. “Sure.”
Violet stood, and Leo watched as she edged around the end of the settee, carefully avoiding his injured ankle. When she pulled his shoe free, her fingers caressed his ankle. Her touch was so light that Leo was not sure she even noticed, but it set him ablaze. Under most other circumstances, he would delight in her removing his clothing.
“If we wander into the forest or near the lake in the future, I think I shall instead wear boots,” he said, trying to distract himself before his thoughts could follow that very dangerous direction.
Violet smiled. “That might be enough to prevent a snake from biting you. I have heard that they cannot strike above the ankle.”
“Indeed.”
She rolled up the hem of his trousers, and Leo’s breath hitched. Her nimble fingers slowly pulled down his stocking. Violet’s nose was wrinkled and her brow furrowed, as if she found removing his stocking to be a delicate task which must be performed with the utmost precision and caution.
“So,” Leo said. “When are you going to become a physician?”
She pulled the stocking free. “A physician?”
“You are treating my injuries and have seemingly resolved to remain by my side while I recover,” Leo teased. “Is that not what a physician does?”
Violet chuckled. She placed his shoe and stocking together with their matches. “In truth, I had never met a physician before Mr. Johnson. I could not tell you what a physician usually does.”
“There was not one in the village before him,” Leo realized.
“Right, Leo. Just the apothecary.”
“So, what did…” Leo trailed off, uncertain if he wanted to know the answer to the question which sprang to mind.
“What did we do when we needed one?” Violet asked, returning to her chair. “We sent for one, and sometimes, he arrived in time to aid us. The village also has a midwife, who sometimes aids villagers with their ailments.”
Leo frowned. It was difficult to persuade physicians to live in tiny, countryside villages unless, like in Johnson’s case, he was being offered a significant sum of money. Surgeons were more readily available and less likely to refuse such positions, but they still expected to be paid.
“Perhaps I should do something,” Leo said, “to ensure that my tenants have access to physicians or surgeons. Or at least, the knowledge of how to treat more ailments.”
“That would be lovely,” Violet said.
“It is something to think about,” Leo replied. “I will confess that I have never received any particular complaint about this problem, but…maybe you are right.”
“I am?”
Leo gestured to his leg. “Before my snake bite, we were discussing the servants. You feel as though I ought to make an effort to be kinder to them. I assume that you feel the same way about the villagers, given that I remain equally distant from them. What better way of changing their harsh opinion of me than doing something to help them without having been asked first?”
That had worked with Violet, after all.
“I approve of that, Leo.”
“I am glad. You will have to help me do the research for it, so we can decide how best to implement this solution,” Leo said. “You know I do not like to read.”
“I cannot imagine why,” Violet said. “Your voice when you spoke of your travels…reading is just another way of traveling. That is how I have visited places outside of Essex. I have come to know Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and even the East through my reading.”
