(1989) Tiger's Eye by Karen Robards

Author:Karen Robards [Robards, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, Historical, Romance
ISBN: 9780061259388
Publisher: Avon
Published: 1989-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

XXXVI

Just then a great cry went up outside, making all of them look toward the open door and what was visible of the innyard beyond it.

“ ’Tis the red, the red!” screamed a grimy youth perched on the steps just outside the door. Beside him, an equally unprepossessing youth jumped up and down with excitement.

“Mr. ’Ull, Mr. ’Ull, it be the red!” The second lad came streaking through the door, skittering to a halt as he found the one he sought. “Mr. ’Ull, ’tis the red!”

“Bloody good!” Hull pounded the youth’s back at the news of the victory. “Blimy, I ’ad a packet ridin’ on that one!” Then he remembered his audience. “Jimmy, now it’s all over, do you go take care of the ’orse that’s left in front o’ the barn. And if Mistress ’Ull ’asn’t already told ’im, tell Mick to ride for the doctor. We’ve a guest who needs ’is attention. Tell ’im ’e’ll be well paid for ’is trouble.”

“Aye, sor.”

With a curious look at Alec and Isabella, Jimmy scampered back out the door. Hull’s eyes followed him, the expression on his face almost wistful. Isabella guessed that he wished he could follow the youth, and join in the excited celebration that had erupted in the innyard in the wake of the red’s victory.

Then, as Hull’s attention was distracted, Alec swayed, making Isabella almost lose her balance as she sought to hold him up. She took a quick step sideways, her arm tightening around his waist, her eyes flying to his face. He was whiter than before, and sweating noticeably as he gritted his teeth. For just an instant he seemed to slump. Then, with what Isabella knew was an effort of sheer will, he pushed himself a little away from her, standing more or less on his own as he fought to conceal the full extent of his weakness from the man whose eyes were even then swinging back to him. Apparently Alec’s trust in Tim Hull was something less than one hundred percent.

“Alec …” She tried to prop him up unobtrusively with her body.

“I’m all right,” he muttered for her ears alone.

But he looked as if he might collapse at any moment.

“Mr. Hull, I’m sorry to hurry you, but I am beginning to feel distinctly unwell. Do you suppose we might go on up, whether the room is quite ready or not?”

By taking the onus upon herself, Isabella hoped to attain two objectives: get Alec a place where he might lie down while at the same time concealing just how weak he was. If Alec did not truly trust the innkeeper, then she would not either.

“Oh, o’ course. What a clunch I am, keepin’ you standin’! And you injured, too, Ti—”

“Just plain Alec, while we’re here.”

“Certainly, certainly! I understan’ completely. I—”

Before he could get under way again, Liddy reappeared, gliding toward them as silently as a ghost.

“Room’s ready,” she said brusquely. “And Mick should be back with the doctor anon.”

“Good, good. Come on then, Ti—uh, Alec, and I’ll show you and the lady up.

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