Lord Exmouth's Intentions by Anne Ashley

Author:Anne Ashley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-05T16:00:00+00:00

Later, after being stripped of her sodden, mud-stained garments, Robina eased her aching limbs in a bath of warm scented water. Pinner, who had always betrayed a great fondness for her, fussed about like a mother hen, nothing being too much trouble. Robina accepted this exaggerated cosseting with a good grace, but when Pinner, having helped the heroine of the day to restore her normally faultless appearance, announced that the doctor had been asked to call and would undoubtedly be paying a visit to the room very shortly, Robina decided that she had received more than enough attention for one day.

'I have no wish to see any doctor, Pinner. Besides, except for a sore hand, there's nothing whatsoever the matter with me, and I've absolutely no intention of wasting the doctor's valuable time over such a trivial matter.'

'The master insisted, miss.'

For the first time ever Pinner saw the light of battle flash in a pair of blue eyes, but whatever the normally even-tempered vicar's daughter might have been about to retort was held in check, for the door opened and a round little man, carrying a leather bag, entered the room.

Smiling like some indulgent uncle, the doctor listened patiently to all Robina's assurances that she was perfectly well, and then promptly set about his work, declaring when he had finished the brief examination that she was in excellent health, and that he would send his man round with a jar of salve for the injured hand.

'Have you had chance to examine Miss Courtney, Doctor?'

'Yes, ma'am. She's none the worse for her ordeal.' He tutted. 'Always been an excitable child, of course. Just like her dear mama—highly strung. I've left something to help her sleep tonight, and I shall call again in the morning, but I do not envisage any complications arising from the day's unfortunate escapade.'

'His lordship was very cross with her,' Pinner divulged when the doctor had left the room. 'Administered a proper scold, so I've been told. Said she had to stay in bed for the rest of the day, and if she dared to defy him, he'd pack her straight back to Courtney Place.'

'Oh dear,' Robina muttered, feeling a little sorry for the girl, but Pinner was of a different mind.

'If you ask me, she's been allowed to get away with things for far too long, miss. I'm not saying that one oughtn't to have made allowances after her mother died, but Miss Lizzie's always had a tendency to be naughty. I think the master now realises he must start to take a firmer hand with her before she becomes thoroughly spoilt. Why, I overheard his lordship telling the mistress that if you hadn't been there to save Miss Lizzie, it would have been too late by the time he'd reached the river.' There was a suspicion of tears in the maid's eyes. 'A real heroine you be, miss.'

Feeling acutely embarrassed by this unmerited praise, Robina did her best to try to assure the maid that she

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