Page 11 of Saving Miss Pratt

When she turned, his eyes widened, and he rose from the chair, apparently completely forgetting his injured ankle. “Good God, what happened to you?”

What?

“You’re covered in blood. Are you injured?” He took a halting, uneven step toward her, muttering a curse as he placed weight on his injured foot.

Her gaze drifted down toward her gown. She’d completely forgotten how assisting Mrs. Wilson’s birth had left her in such an unkempt state. Birthing children was a messy business. One she hoped to avoid for as long as possible.

“I’m a physician. I can assist.”

“No. No. Other than half freezing, I’m fine. This isn’t my blood.”

If possible, his eyes widened further. “Did you kill someone?” From his serious tone, he obviously believed it was possible.

“No.” She squinted at him. “But I’d like to.” As she glared at him with all the malice she could muster, she took a seat across from him, not offering any explanation. A smile tugged at her lips, and she wondered what images his mind might be conjuring. She hoped it would be enough for him to keep his distance for fear of his life.

Silence passed between them, but she had perfected the waiting game.

Minutes later, he conceded. “Well, are you going to tell me why you’re covered in blood?”

In her sauciest voice, she tilted her head and said, “I don’t know. Why don’t you guess?”

“If not murder, severe injury of some poor unsuspecting man who tried his best to be of service?”

She studied her nails. “Hmm, that does sound lovely. But, no.”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head, his frustration most satisfying.

“I will give you a hint. You said you were a physician. Had yourservicesbeen available earlier in the day, the blood would have been on you instead of ruining my gown.”

“You operated on someone?” She found the rising pitch of his voice and the incredulous tone even more satisfying than his frustration.

“Not exactly an operation, but you’re getting closer.”

His brow furrowed, little lines forming between his eyes, making him look a bit like a beagle puppy she had as a child.

He snapped his fingers. “You delivered a baby.” As soon as the words fell from his lips, he frowned again. “Youdelivered a baby?You?”

Before that morning, she would have doubted it as well. Still, she mustered her most indignant tone. “Why do you find that so hard to believe?”

“So, it’s true?”

She straightened her shoulders. He didn’t have to know how terrified she’d been during the ordeal, nor how she wished never to repeat it. “Yes. A fine, healthy little boy.”

“Well, I’ll be . . .” He frowned again. “So, my next question is, why? I mean no offense, but you appear rather young to be a midwife. And your cloak and gown are of fine quality, not to mention inappropriate for assisting with a birth.”

Truth be told, having one of her favorite gowns ruined annoyed her. However, when she’d set out for the Wilsons’ that morning, she had expected to be minding children, not delivering one. Part of her wished he would wrap his arms around her and tell her how brave she’d been, to console her for the loss of such a fine garment.

But she merely waved her hand in the air. “One does what one must. My original task was to care for the other children when Mrs. Wilson’s pains grew worse. But when Mr. Wilson returned without the midwife, I had no other choice.”

Not quite true. Had she followed her initial instinct, she would have run as far and fast from the Wilsons’ home as her feet would have taken her. But she wouldn’t give Timothy—ugh—the satisfaction of hearing her admit that.

“So, why were you out in this weather?” He sounded . . .concerned.

“Once the baby arrived and all was well, they had no need for me. I had no idea the snow would start coming so hard and fast. I became disoriented and lost my way.”

He rose from his chair and stirred the fire. The flames jumped to life, sending delicious heat throughout the room.

“The winds from the North Sea are chilling the air at a furious pace. I expect things will ease by morning. Until then, I fear we’re both stuck here for the night.”

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