Page 21 of Indecent
“Yes.”
“Did you lose consciousness?” she asked. “You didn’t move for a moment.”
His brow furrowed, then he winced. “I don’t think so, but I’m not sure. Everything happened so fast. All I could see was that branch coming straight down toward you. If anything had happened to you…” He closed his eyes and pressed his lips together until they whitened.
“Nothing happened, save my sudden need for a bath.”
He laughed and winced again.
“No more laughing,” she admonished.
“Then stop being witty and charming.” He opened one eye. “If you can, which I daresay you can’t.”
“Nonsense. I’ll be ruthless in my care of you.”
His other eye opened, and he regarded her with a heat that shocked and thrilled her. “Promise?”
Before she could summon an appropriate response—and she wasn’t at all sure she could—Mrs. Logan returned with warm water and toweling.
“The love you share is so wonderful to see,” Mrs. Logan said, handing Prudence a cloth. “I’m so relieved you’re both all right.”
Prudence wanted to roll her eyes or in some way dismiss Mrs. Logan’s observation, but she couldn’t. And not just because it would reveal their deception. She didn’t want to upset this moment.
Because Bennet was injured. Yes, that was the reason.
She gently put the cloth to his forehead. “Is this all right?”
“Yes, thank you. You can press a little harder.”
She applied more pressure, but he winced so she lightened it again. “Just try to relax. Perhaps some brandy, Mrs. Logan.” She glanced toward the woman, who nodded and presumably went to fetch it.
“I’d like to know the state of the coach.” He grimaced, and she wasn’t sure if it was from pain or the likelihood that they’d lost their only mode of travel. A terrible thought occurred to her—given his financial state, was ithisonly mode of travel? Could a gentleman be a gentleman without a coach?
“We’ll ask when they come in. They can’t remain in the storm too long.” Gusts of wind rattled the inn. Prudence glanced up at the ceiling. “Will it tear the house apart?”
“Only if it sends another tree our way. But I don’t think there are any others close enough to damage the house.”
“What of the one resting over there?” She inclined her head toward the corner.
“We’ll pull it off tomorrow probably. Hopefully. The damage is minimal. The stable, on the other hand…” He frowned, and she knew he was concerned.
“We can hire transportation or ride the mail coach if necessary,” Prudence said.
He arched a brow, but only for a second because he winced and relaxed his features. “How are we to pay for that?”
“I’ve a bit of money hidden in the lining of my case.” Her mother had taught her this trick years ago—always have something stashed for emergencies. “Don’t tell me you refuse to use it.”
“I’m not taking your money,” he said firmly. “However, you could use it to return to London on your own, I suppose. Though, I’m loath to let you go alone.”
She gritted her teeth. “Are you worried something will happen to me? That perhaps I’ll be abducted?”
He laughed and immediately sobered. “Ow. You aren’t supposed to be witty.”
“Then stop saying stupid things. You don’t get to ‘let’ me do anything.”
“Yes, my lady.” He sounded as though he’d been reprimanded, but didn’t necessarily look it.
Mrs. Logan returned with brandy, setting a bottle and two glasses on a table next to the settee. “Pardon me for taking so long. Mr. Logan came into the kitchen, and I was helping him take off his wet coat. I’m heating water for baths now. I daresay you should both get out of your sodden clothing before you catch cold.”
