Lady in the Making by Susan Page Davis

Author:Susan Page Davis [DAVIS, SUSAN PAGE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-62029-040-8
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

I’ll need to send another letter.” David’s voice held authority that Millie hadn’t heard in more than two weeks. She turned from where she’d been arranging his clean linen in the dresser and stepped over to the bedside, glad he was feeling better. His will to do something showed her that the pain no longer overpowered him. “Of course. I’ll get you some paper and ink.”

She went downstairs and stopped at the desk in the front hall, where Mr. Simmons was bent over a ledger.

“I’m in need of stationery, sir. I don’t suppose—”

“Oh yes, Mrs. Evans. I took your suggestion and laid in a supply.”

Millie smiled. “That was good of you, sir. I’m sure other guests will be pleased, too. I’d like two sheets, please, and an envelope.”

The first time she’d written a letter for David, she’d had to go out to find a mercantile for the supplies. She’d purchased a small bottle of ink and a pen at the time. She was grateful she wouldn’t have to do that again.

She got the stationery she needed from the landlord and thanked him, then went back up to David’s room. He was still awake, scowling at the ceiling.

“There, I think we’re ready,” she said cheerfully. “I only got one envelope.”

“That’s enough—unless you need to send a letter as well.”

“No, I’ve no need, but thank you.” She hesitated.

He raised his head suddenly, fixing her with an inquisitive stare. “Did you pay for it yourself?”

“This time, yes. But earlier, I … there were some coins in the pocket of the trousers you wore at the time of the accident. Dr. Lee cut the trousers off you, and … well, I salvaged the contents of your pockets for you.” Her cheeks flushed, and she couldn’t look him in the eye.

“Did you pay the doctor?”

“Yes, and the man who carted us here. I’m sorry, Mr. Stone, but I had to take the money for them from your wallet. I didn’t ask you then. You were indisposed.” Unconscious, actually, but she didn’t like to remind him of his weakness too vividly.

“Bring it here.” He stirred and gasped, sinking back onto the pillow, his face ashen.

Millie grabbed the wallet from the dresser and hurried to his side. “Are you all right?”

“No.”

“What can I do?”

He said nothing but stared upward with clenched teeth.

She wanted to give him another dose of the painkiller, but Dr. Lee had told her yesterday to lengthen the intervals between doses, lest David become addicted to the stuff. “It will be time for more laudanum in an hour.”

“Yes.” It was barely a whisper, and she thought that an hour must seem very long to a man in pain.

She put his wallet in his hand, and he held it up where he could see it. He inspected the contents.

“What do I owe you for the stationery—and anything else you’ve paid for yourself?”

“Nothing.” Need she remind him that every cent she had came from him to begin with?

He withdrew a dollar and handed it to her.

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