Realm 04 - A Touch of Grace by Regina Jeffers Read Free Book Online

simple meal. Perhaps a clear broth with bread and cheese.” She tried to anticipate what she might require to attend him.
    “And plenty of brandy,” Godown added. “My wife will have tea, but I require your best brandy.”
    Mr. Bradshaw opened the door to the room and busied himself with building a fire. Over his shoulder, he said, “I will send up extra candles for better lighting.” He set the coals ablaze. “And how long might you be staying with us, my Lord.”
    Godown reached into the purse Grace had surreptitiously placed in his hand while the innkeeper tended the fire. “I was considering a stay of some three days. Perhaps, longer. When a man is without his wife so shortly after his marriage, he must pay the price of the lady’s good intentions.” He lightly tossed a coin to the man, who adeptly caught it. “We do not wish to be disturbed. Her Ladyship will send word when meals are to be served.”
    “Absolutely, Lord Godown.” Bradshaw made a deep obeisance.
    When she noted Lord Godown swayed in place, Grace quickly closed the door before the innkeeper fawned further. “My Lord!” She rushed forward to brace him. “Sit.” She assisted him to the bed’s edge. “If you can tolerate it,” she said as she frantically worked his tight-fitting jacket from his shoulders. “Do not lie flat until I can remove your clothing. I doubt I can turn you to treat your wounds, otherwise.”
    Godown chuckled, “I seriously doubt, my Dear, there is anything you cannot do once you set your mind upon it.” She had freed him of the jacket and turned to his cravat. “But as being undressed by an exceedingly pretty woman is not one of the seven deadly sins, I believe, I will enjoy the intimacy of the moment. I doubt to have this pleasure ever again.”
    Grace’s cheeks pinked. “You will know such wayward pleasures, my Lord.” Her thoughts brought a deeper red. “And I am far from pretty, Lord Godown.”
    His Lordship brushed a stray curl from her face. “That is where you err, Miss Nelson. You are the prettiest woman I have ever beheld.”

     

Chapter Three

    It was the truth. She was not beautiful, but she was profoundly pretty. People might consider Miss Nelson unremarkable, but under Gabriel’s close inspection, he knew differently. Chocolate brown eyes. Long dark lashes. Tilted up nose. Full lips. Indeterminate hair color. Soft wisps along her temples said it was a deep chestnut color, but the lady used pomade to hold the tight knot at the back of her neck in place. Soft scent of citrus teased his senses, and despite his current pain, something stirred within him. Something Gabriel could not wrap his mind around. “You are most efficient in undressing a gentleman,” he said with a rasp, as she ripped his bloody shirt from his body.
    “My brother Geoffrey knows the bottle intimately,” she said distractedly as her fingers probed at the bullet’s entry point. Without looking at him, she said, “There are fragments of the bullet in the wound.”
    “I suspected as such. The bullet ricocheted off a large boulder,” Gabriel admitted. “Is this within your abilities?”
    Grace’s eyes rose to meet his. “I am not certain.”
    He clasped her hand tightly in his. “Either way, Miss Nelson, you do me a great service. If I recover, I am forever your servant.”
    She gave him a curt nod. “I shall fight for your life, my Lord,” she said with assurance. “Recline back against the pillows, Lord Godown. I shall remove your boots. When the maid brings the brandy, we will begin.”
    Gabriel followed her orders. How he had managed to, literally, stumble into her arms, he could not account, but he accepted God’s providence in the matter. Perhaps his soul was not so unredeemable, after all. “I place myself in your most capable hands.”
    Propped against the pillows, Gabriel watched her closely. Competently, the lady removed his boots, placed a screen between the bed and the room door to disguise his