Time's Fool by Patricia Veryan

Author:Patricia Veryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781250101402
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“I am indeed grateful,” declared Rossiter, cautiously lifting his arm as Tummet had requested. “But how you came to be there I cannot fathom. I had left you with strict instructions to take Miss Gwendolyn home.”

“Popped ’er into the coach, safe as a sturgeon, Guv,” said Tummet, leaning over the bed and easing off the torn wreckage of the coat. “Only I ’opped orf and ’ired meself a ’ack. Can you lift yer arm up a bit more?” Rossiter complying, he went on, “Now fer this ’ere what once called itself a shirt. I follered you, just in case you needed a ’and, like.”

“And I had the devil’s own work to come up with you,” said Lieutenant Morris, carrying a tray with decanter and glasses into the bedchamber and closing the door softly behind him.

Flinching from Tummet’s efforts, Rossiter swore, then said, “Well, I never was more in need of reinforcements. Had it not been for you two—”

“You’d a’ cocked up yer toes,” said Tummet. “Six to one ain’t fair odds, Guv. But I gotta say that fer a chap what’s nothing but skin and bone, you fights like a troop of cavalry! A ’ole perishing troop! Blind me if I ever see a gent laying about ’im wiv so much spirit! Makes me proud I took you on, which I can’t say no better! Lean forrard a bit, if y’can.”

Rossiter obliged. “In point of fact, they didn’t mean to kill me. The woman kept screeching that my face was not to be marked.”

“They may not have marked your face,” said Morris, frowning. “But they were less charitable with the rest of you.”

Glancing down at his lurid bruises, Rossiter told his valet to lock the door. “I’d not have Gwendolyn see this mess.”

“No need for that,” said Morris. “You may be à l’aise, my trampled Tulip. The lady is perfectly well, and at the moment engaged in applying a poultice to the jaw of your footman, who has the toothache. A remarkably kind little creature, an I dare remark it.”

“She’s one in a million,” agreed Rossiter. “But I wish I knew what the deuce she was about at Falcon House this morning.” He looked at Tummet steadily, and receiving only a smile of angelic innocence turned his attention to more immediate problems. “You’re sure no one saw me come in?”

“Have no fears,” said Morris handing him a glass of Madeira. “We were able to slip in the side door without causing any of the maids to faint. However, I think you shall have to disappoint Lady Naomi after all. Cannot go cavorting about tonight with your middle looking like—”

“Good God!” Sir Mark had entered the room unnoticed, and now stood pale and shocked as he scanned his battered son. For a moment he stared, saying nothing. Then he lifted his eyes to Gideon’s face. “When you said you’d been wounded, I never dreamed— Zounds! I marvel you lived, boy!”

Morris said cheerfully, “He damn near didn’t, sir.”

Gideon hastened to point out that he was “in good point now.

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