Page 38 of The Scarred Lyon

He nodded, so she dragged the wool trousers and drawers down his legs and off his feet. Oh my, yes. Her husband was well put together in all ways. Augusta felt heat rise to her cheeks at the sight of his muscular body. But this was not the time to admire his attributes, so she stood and hastily hung the wet clothes on the rack. Now to attend to his head wound.

“Are you in pain, aware of anything else? Any possible broken bones?” Augusta reached under her wool skirt and pulled her petticoats to the floor. She hadn’t worn her corset since the first night, but she kept the petticoats on to stay warm. But now, they were needed for something more important than her comfort.

“Just my head. What are you doing?” Duncan asked, shivering.

“My petticoats will be useful as bandages.” Augusta picked them up from the floor and placed them on the trunk, then retrieved the other small quilt and laid it over Duncan. “Stay completely covered. I will heat some water for tea.”

Augusta hurried about the cabin, retrieving the food hamper, finding the knife, and cutting her petticoat into long strips. She then placed McGloin’s sling around Duncan’s injured shoulder and inspected the back of his head. The lump had grown slightly larger. She bunched a few strips and applied pressure to the wound to stem the bleeding. She waited several minutes, then inspected the cloth and repositioned it. When the bleeding slowed, she tied a strip around his head.

Next, boil water. With the tea prepared and the willow bark powder added, she delivered the mug to Duncan’s trembling hands. “Drink this. It should warm you and assist with your aches and pains. I am going to give you a sponge bath. I apologize for the scent of the soap; it’s the only one I had with me.” She gave him a smile. “Lily of the valley.”

“You’re taking good care of me,” he said hoarsely.

“Always. Drink.” Lady lay at Duncan’s quilt-covered feet, keeping watch. “Lady assisted me in digging through the snow.”

“Good dog,” Duncan said, and Lady replied with a soft whimper.

“You know more about injuries than I do. How are you, truly?”

“Besides the obvious aches and pains? There are no broken bones, I think. But my head may be concussed.”

“What is that?”

“Dr. Embry said it was a brain injury causing confusion. I’m experiencing that now. It feels as if I am wandering in a fog.”

Augusta gasped. “Is it serious? You do have a rather large lump on the back of your head.”

“No. At least, I hope it’s not serious. The dizziness has already dissipated. I shouldn’t sleep for a while though, not until more of the fog disappears.”

“Thank heavens for Dr. Embry.” Augusta shivered. “I should close the attic door. Will the rest of the roof hold?”

Duncan sipped his tea. “Hard to say.”

“You will tell me if you feel worse? Do not try to be stoic.”

Duncan gave her a wan smile. “I will tell you. The tea is already helping.”

After closing the attic door, Augusta prepared the hot water in the basin, took a strip of cloth, and dipped it in. At least the water was not as scalding as before. Rubbing the cloth against the small bar of soap, she stood before Duncan. Then she rubbed the cloth across his forehead and down his face. Gently, she dragged the cloth across his scarred cheek.

“That feels good,” he murmured as she dragged the warm cloth along his chin and down his neck.

“I, for one, cannot wait to arrive at your house and take a long, hot bath.”

“Our house,” Duncan corrected.

“Yes, of course. Our house. What is your favorite meal? We will have your cook prepare it when we return.” She wanted to keep Duncan talking to keep him alert.

“I prefer simple foods, like a roast beef—not too bloody—with asparagus, potatoes, and carrots, and mince pie for afters.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Augusta replied as she pulled the quilt away from his shoulders, then dipped the cloth in the water, applied fresh soap, and continued along his arms and across his chest. “Reese loves chicken, and I am rather partial to it myself. We used to buy salmon often from the market. Prisilla makes a lovely dill sauce.”

“We will have that the night Reese and Miss Barry arrive.”

“I cannot wait to see him. And his reaction to Lady. And to you. He will adore you, I know it. Just as I do.” Her voice trembled on the last few words. Her emotions were decidedly engaged, her heart swelling. She was falling in love with her husband.

And she could not be happier at the prospect.

Chapter Eighteen