How to Engage an Earl by Kathryn Caskie

Author:Kathryn Caskie [Caskie, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical, Adult
ISBN: 9780061124846
Publisher: Avon Books
Published: 2007-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

How to Be Patient

The village of St. Albans

Anne had always been the least patient of the three Royle sisters. Her father, who had to have been the most patient physician in all of England, had oft told her so. “Patience is a virtue,” he counseled her whenever she was called upon to sit up all night with a feverish farmer or sick child.

So she silently reminded herself of the dictum during the minutes her sister Elizabeth stared down at the serving plate, trying to decide which bit of mutton she should choose for her supper.

And again she reminded herself while waiting three-quarters of an hour while her older sister, Mary, dickered with a merchant over a penny she could save if she simply bought the tea from another shopkeeper.

So she waited, patiently, inside Laird’s town carriage as Lady MacLaren had instructed. Truly, ever so patiently…until the bell in the town clock tower heralded the next hour.

It was then that Anne decided that something could be wrong. She really ought to check the health of Lady MacLaren, just to be certain she fared well.

Abruptly she flung open the carriage door, striking something. Hard.

A woman shrieked with pain.

“Oh, dear heavens, what have I done?” Anne leapt out of the carriage and slammed the door shut. There, a woman was sitting on the pavement, stunned. Blood gushed in streams from her pert little nose, staining her silk rose-striped walking ensemble.

“Oh, this is such a dreadful accident!” Anne rushed to her and dropped down at her side. “I am so sorry—I didn’t see you coming.” Anne tilted the woman’s head back and pinched the bridge of her nose to slow the bleeding. Oh no. It moved. “I fear you have broken it, madam.”

The woman whimpered. “You mean, you broke it.”

“Yes, well, again, I do apologize. You cannot imagine how sorry I am for this.”

“I saw the carriage…the MacLaren coat of arms on the door.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“But…what were you doing inside?” the woman managed between bloody snorts.

“I am Lord MacLaren’s fiancée. Please, try not to speak. Do let me help you inside the apothecary until a physician can be summoned.” Without awaiting a reply, Anne hoisted the woman to her feet.

The woman would not be led. “You are his betrothed? Laird Allan’s?” At least, that was what Anne thought the woman was asking. It was hard to tell.

“Yes, I am. Please, madam, if you just come with me inside the shop, I know I can stop the bleeding.”

“That is impossible.” The woman suddenly became strangely calm.

“I assisted my father, a physician, my entire life. Truly, I can pack your nose and stop the bleeding.” Anne tugged the woman toward the door.

“No, I mean it is impossible. Lord MacLaren becoming engaged again—so soon.”

Anne was beginning to grow quite irritated with her patient. “Very well. Why is that?”

“Because he is just out of mourning.”

“And how would you know that? Are you acquainted with the family?” Anne pushed the door ajar and held it open with the side of her slippered foot.

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