The Earl's Honorable Intentions by Deborah Hale - Glass Slipper Brides 03 - The Earl's Honorable Intentions

Author:Deborah Hale - Glass Slipper Brides 03 - The Earl's Honorable Intentions [Hale, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780373829699
Google: a-jrQfTxRRUC
Amazon: B00BAT1OS2
Goodreads: 17164221
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2012-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

As he waited for the doctor to arrive and examine him, Gavin concentrated on the piece of paper he was endeavoring to fold into the shape of a bird. It was not an easy task for it required more patience, dexterity and concentration than he possessed. He’d persisted just the same and tried to follow his young son’s advice not to mind about that. His first efforts had been laughably bad, but he refused to let that deter him. It was not the product that mattered, after all, only the activity to occupy his attention and pass the time.

On both those counts it had succeeded.

Unlike reading the newspapers, which frustrated and agitated him, paper folding had a calming effect on his mind. And while it absorbed his attention, the time passed. Not as swiftly as when he was in Hannah Fletcher’s company perhaps, but quickly enough. It also kept his thoughts from dwelling on his son’s governess quite so much.

A brisk knock sounded on his door, making his heart beat faster as he called out permission to enter.

But when the door swung open, it admitted only the butler and Gavin’s physician. “Dr. Hodge to see you, my lord.”

“Thank you, Owens.” Gavin dismissed the sudden fall of his spirits by reminding himself the physician’s arrival might set him free at last. “Good day, Doctor. I hope you will have good news for me.”

Putting aside his half-finished paper bird, he carefully turned onto his good side and tugged up his nightshirt to facilitate the examination.

“If I do, you shall have yourself to thank for it.” The doctor unwound the bandaging that bound Gavin’s wound. Then he rummaged in his satchel for tweezers and a pair of long-bladed scissors. “If I were a wagering man, I would have staked good money against you following my orders for a fortnight’s bed rest.”

With considerable care the doctor cut and tugged out the stitching thread that had held Gavin’s torn flesh together while it knit. “How on earth did you manage to stay still for so long? Did Miss Fletcher have you placed in a strait waistcoat? I would not put it past her. She strikes me as a very determined young woman.”

For some reason the doctor’s comment about Miss Fletcher stung Gavin worse than the removal of his stitches. “Determination is a fine quality. Precious little would get done in the world if it were not for determined people and even less would get changed.”

“True.” The doctor sounded amused. “I take it Miss Fletcher did not have you restrained or you would not be defending her with such vigor.”

“Of course she did not have me restrained!” Gavin snapped. “And I am not defending her, vigorously or otherwise. I was only making a general observation.”

“I see.” Doctor Hodge gave the most exasperating chuckle.

“I will admit, Miss Fletcher managed to impress upon me the need to follow medical advice if I wish to recover my health.”

“The lady must have been most persuasive.” The doctor snipped off the last of Gavin’s stitches.

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