All Smiles by Stella Cameron

Author:Stella Cameron
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

20

“Do not look so troubled,” Lady Upworth said to Meg. “I am not an enemy and I am an accomplished nurse. I have certainly had a good deal of experience.”

“Thank you for your kindness,” Meg said, but she disliked having the woman wait upon her and could not consider the ministrations as anything other than a means to impress Jean-Marc.

“The entire household is shocked,” Lady Upworth said. “You must have been terrified.”

“I was.” There was little point in pretending otherwise. “It was as if the horror of it would never end.”

“Who can dislike you enough to do such a thing?”

Meg glanced at her but did not respond. Time enough to share her feelings and thoughts on what had happened when she spoke to Jean-Marc. “You are kind to me, My Lady, but I know my sister could manage. I can manage alone.”

Lady Upworth smiled. “You are too self-sufficient, Miss Smiles. Isn’t she, er, Miss Smiles?” She glanced at Sibyl, who nodded. Poor Sibyl hovered at the side of the bed and didn’t take her eyes from Meg’s face.

Dressed in one of her favorite night rails and a robe of soft white lawn embroidered by her own hand, Meg suffered Her Ladyship to put more salve on numerous small cuts. The coach’s shattering windows had embedded small shards in the back of Meg’s neck, and more fragments had slid inside her gown to cut her shoulders.

Meg stilled Lady Upworth’s hands. “My Lady, do you think you could dissuade the Count from having his doctor come to me?”

The lady’s sudden laughter surprised Meg. “I see you do not know the Count well. If he has made up his mind on a certain course, then I doubt there is anyone who could divert him. Rest on your pillows now. You will have some discomfort, but all looks clean and no glass remains. Your most troublesome wound will be to your nerves, Miss Smiles. You have suffered a frightening experience.”

“Thank you,” Meg said, and did as she was told. Gratitude for Lady Upworth’s kindness warred with a desire not to like the woman one bit.

“The Count wished to see you as soon as you were settled,” Lady Upworth said. “Shall I send word that you’re ready now?”

There was no help for it but to agree. “I suppose so.”

Sibyl had brushed Meg’s hair and plaited it. She was certain she looked like an ugly child but at least the light in her red and gold bedchamber was low enough to ensure she could not be seen too clearly.

“I’ll ring,” Lady Upworth said, and did so.

A tap at the door came too quickly to be in response to the bell. A maid bustled in and put more coals on the fire. The room was far too grand for a paid companion, but Meg had already been honest enough with herself to admit she enjoyed it.

“Millie, Miss,” the maid said, bobbing to Meg. “I’m to tell you the doctor’s coming up now.”

“Fie,” Meg said, then, “Forgive me, please, My Lady.

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