The Earl's Christmas Delivery by Susan Gee Heino Read Free Book Online Page B

amazing," Basil answered. "Everyone from miles around comes to her for the least little thing. She always knows just what to do."
    "It's a shame you don't have time to come see her," Mel added. "I know she'd want to help you out for your brother, after the kindness you've done us on the road."
    It was pointless to correct his misunderstanding. They must not have heard clearly when she mentioned that Mr. Bexley was the earl's brother-in-law, not hers. Mostly she was interested in keeping the injured Jasper comfortable and the others distracted from eating those pies. It was true; they did smell amazingly good.
    "I'm sure your Nana is everything you say that she is," Carole conceded. "Perhaps once we've made it to our destination and ascertained Mr. Bexley's current condition then his lordship might send someone to see Nana."
    "Oh, she doesn't often talk to the servants people send," Basil said. "She likes to see the patient himself, or the direct family if he truly can't travel. Says the healing works better that way."
    Carole thought she heard the earl grumble something under his breath about payment working better that way, too. She didn't ask him to elaborate, though. Clearly he was skeptical of the young men's claims regarding Nana's healing abilities. To tell the truth, she was, too. No doubt the young men's stories were greatly exaggerated, but she also knew there must be some grain of truth to them. Why else would poor Jasper sit here in such agony and swear over and over that he wanted no local doctor but would wait until he reached Nana? There must be some reason he held such deep faith in her competence.
    It was a shame the earl was unwilling to consider it.
    "She must be a great blessing to everyone who knows her," Carole said, directing her words at their new friends but knowing full well the earl heard everything that she said. "Pity we won't get to see her. I hope Estelle isn't too disappointed when she hears of our adventures. I know she's got excellent physicians at her disposal, but surely she'd be happy for anything that might give added hope. I know that when my mother was ill, I would have welcomed any help that I could."
    "Your mother was ill?" the earl said, surprising her by actually joining in rather than just offering another snort or dubious grumble.
    "She was. A few years ago."
    "I'm sorry to hear that. Did she recover?"
    "No. She finally went to her reward after suffering far too long."
    "I'm sorry. And your father?"
    "I believe he stopped living the day she died. It was nearly a year, though, before I could lay him to rest beside her."
    And she'd been on her own, life getting more and more dismal every year since then.
    "I see," he said softly. "Please forgive me for bringing up such a difficult subject."
    "I don't mind talking about them. It's just that... sometimes it's easier not to."
    He nodded and she thought perhaps he truly did understand. He had, after all, lost his father at a young age. He seemed cold and unaffected, but deep inside he must know the pain of loss and heartache. If his heart ever thawed enough to recall it.
    "I'll bet Nana would say there's some hope for this Bexley fellow," Mel offered.
    The others agreed. Carole risked a sharp rebuke by turning back to the earl and making her plea. Perhaps this Nana person might be all that the young men insisted. It just didn't seem right to ignore what Fate had so clearly dropped in their lap, not simply for the sake of saving a few hours.
    "Don't you think Estelle would welcome any ray of hope, my lord?" she asked him carefully. "Her husband is so dear to her, and if there is any chance this old nurse might have something to offer, could we not at least make the tiniest effort? Think of the children. What would they give to keep their father with them?"
    He looked at her and she forced herself not to shift her gaze away. It was a challenge, though. The man's blue eyes were cold like January ice over a pond. They searched her for