Surrender the Night by MaryLu Tyndall Read Free Book Online Page B

Wilkins.” Reed nodded toward her. “Forgive me if I do not get up.”
    Amelia giggled. “No need, Mr. Reed. We are most happy that you did not die.”
    “I share your enthusiasm.” Mr. Reed grinned revealing an unusually straight row of white teeth.
    Reaching into her pocket, Rose opened a small pouch and spread saturated leaves over Mr. Reed’s wound.
    “Poison?” He chuckled.
    “Comfrey. To speed the healing process.” Giving him a lopsided smile, she wrapped a fresh bandage around his thigh. “So you can leave as soon as possible.” She tied it tight, eliciting a wince from him and bringing her a measure of satisfaction, albeit only momentary.
    Stretching his leg, he gripped the wooden rail of Liverpool’s stall. “Then I will be happy to accommodate you, miss. Do you have a horse I may borrow?”
    “Not one I’m willing to forfeit.”
    “Why not lend him Valor?” Amelia glanced toward the filly’s stall where the horse stood watching the proceedings.
    Rose gave her a measured look. “Who is to bring her back to me after Mr. Reed boards his ship?”
    Amelia took a step toward Mr. Reed. “I will go with him and bring her back.”
    “Don’t be a goose, Amelia. All alone? With British soldiers raiding the countryside?”
    Mr. Reed’s brow gleamed with sweat as he strained to pull himself up. Leaning upon his good leg, he blinked as if trying to clear his head. “Miss McGuire is right. It isn’t safe for a woman alone.” He faced Rose. “A carriage perhaps? You could bring your footman for protection.”
    Rose packed her bandages and salve and slowly stood. “You presume too much, Mr. Reed. Besides, both our carriages are in use.”
    Mr. Reed’s breath came in spurts as he fell against the wooden railing. “I will walk then.”
    “When you cannot even stand?” Rose took a timid step toward the man who if he were standing to his full height would surely tower over her by at least a foot. The last thing she needed was for him to fall and injure himself further. “It must be miles back to your ship.”
    “And you’re in enemy territory, sir,” Amelia offered as she slipped beside Rose. “You’ll either open your wound and bleed to death or be caught and hanged.”
    Mr. Reed peered at them both through half-open lids. Hot wind swirled about the barn, swaying a strand of his hair across his stubbled jaw. “Either way, ladies, I shall not impose on you any further.” He glanced down at the hay. “Now where, pray tell, have you placed my coat and weapons?”
    Rose grimaced. She wondered when he would ask about them. Thank goodness she’d had Amelia store the heinous things in a trunk in the loft. “They are hidden, Mr. Reed. Out of your reach where you can do no harm with them.”
    “Do you think me so base as to assault the woman who saved my life?” Incredulous pride saturated his tone. “Or to assault any woman for that matter. I am second lieutenant aboard the HMS
Undefeatable
, miss, an officer in His Majesty’s Navy and not without honor.”
    “I believe your Mr. Garrick gave me a taste of your navy’s idea of honor,” Rose retorted, tossing her nose in the air.
    Amelia fluttered her lashes. “You were so brave to come to Rose’s defense.”
    “I could do no less.” His admiring gaze swept to Rose.
    Confusion jumbled her thoughts and tore through her contempt. She took a step back.
    He frowned. “Very well, I shall leave without my things.” Releasing the railing, he took a step forward on his good foot, but started to wobble.
    Dashing toward him, Rose shoved her shoulder beneath his arm, gesturing Amelia to do the same on the other side. He smelled of hay and man, and she nearly toppled beneath his weight. Amelia gripped his other side and they managed to assist him out of the barn and across the field.
    “Oh my, he’s quite heavy, miss.” Amelia exclaimed in wonder.
    “My apologies, ladies.” His murmur came out weak as they led him step by painstaking step to the