The Hired Hero by Andrea Pickens Read Free Book Online Page A

teeth together and did not cry out again. Sweat began to bead on her forehead, and as the pain became worse her nails dug into Davenport’s wrist, nearly drawing blood.
    “Just a little bit more,” muttered the doctor.
    “Hurry, man, for God’s sake,” snapped Davenport.
    With a last wrench  the bone popped back into the socket. Caroline collapsed back against the pillow, her face as bleached as the surrounding sheets.
    “Brave girl, well done.” Davenport unconsciously brushed a damp tendril of hair from her brow as he spoke.
    Caroline managed a weak smile. “Not missus.... didn’t throw a fit of vapors...”
    “No, indeed.”
    She began to speak again then was suddenly, violently, sick.
    The earl stared down in dismay at his ruined shirt and breeches. An oath escaped his lips.
    The doctor cleared his throat. “I shall call for Mrs. Collins. I’m sure she will be able to take care of...tidying up.” He placed a small vial on the table. “Here is more laudanum for the pain she will undoubtedly feel when she wakes. Mrs. Collins knows the dose.” He snapped his bag shut and regarded the earl with what Davenport could swear was a glint of amusement. “Shall you be able to manage?”
    Davenport muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
    “I shall call again tomorrow morning. Have a pleasant day, my lord.”
    * * * *
    Davenport sighed as he kicked off his boots and stretched his stockinged toes towards the sputtering fire. Good lord, it was more difficult than he imagined. His eyes strayed to the open ledger book on his desk. No matter how he juggled the columns, the debts were staggering and it would be some time before he could hope to make a dent in them. Perhaps Sykes was right.... His jaw tightened. Even though the family honor had meant nothing to his father or his brother, he was determined to do all in his power to see that it sunk no further. Even without the promise to his mother, he would have done no less. But he had lived up to his word, he thought grimly, though she had no idea what it had cost him. The price to restore Highwood would be paltry in comparison. With a sigh, he took up the poker and raked out the dying embers.
    Upstairs, as he made his way to his bedchamber, he was startled by a noise coming from the room of his mysterious stranger. He paused for a moment, then pushed open the heavy oak door at the sound of another cry. She was having a nightmare. Her shoulders  writhed beneath the coverlet as if she were trying to struggle free from some imagined bonds. 
    “No!” she gasped weakly. “No!”
     Davenport put down his candle and took her hand. It immediately tightened around his, surprising him with the strength in the slender fingers.
    “Tell him... “ she muttered.
    He bent his ear close to her lips. “Tell him what?” he asked softly.
    Her breathing was rapid, ragged.  “Don’t worry—I...” Her voice was barely there. “I can take care of myself.” Then she fell silent.
    The earl held her hand until he felt the tension ebb out of  her grip and her breathing settle back into a regular pattern . Tucking her hand carefully back under the covers, he left for his own room, to face his own demons.
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Chapter 3
    The doctor left off probing at Caroline’s shoulder and stepped back with a satisfied look on his face. “You are recovering from your injuries remarkable well, miss. Another day of bed rest and you may begin to get up and move around. Of course, your arm will take longer to mend. I imagine it will ache like the devil for some time.” He paused and gave her an appraising look. “I must tell you, well, I’ve never seen a female show the fortitude of...”
    “Of a man?” she suggested, a slight smile stealing over her lips. “ I’m not sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult.”
      “Oh, for you miss, quite the first, I assure you.” He rose to leave. “ I shall call again in a few days. In the meantime, Mrs. Collins will see