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There was little doubt that in a few minutes she would be sound asleep again.

Once in the spare bedroom, Miles allowed his body to sag with relief. Not only was Siobhan awake, but she seemed to have retained her normal personality. He’d been sick with worry that she would never wake and have to be taken to a sanitarium to be looked after until death. A chuckle escaped at recalling how wild his imagination had gotten in the dark hours of the night.

Now his chest was light, the heaviness gone. In the mirror’s reflection, he looked no worse for the wear. In truth, his body was probably accustomed to the late nights in the gentlemen’s club or from entertaining a woman or two.

After removing his clothes, Miles went about washing his body. Every thoughtful, Firtha had hung a pair of complete outfits for him to pick from. He chose a gray suit that was comfortable to wear when spending most of the day at home. He’d no plans to leave that day unless someone or something required his immediate attention. Instead, he’d stay with Siobhan. There was nowhere and no one with whom he’d rather be; he didn’t allow himself to wonder why.

Chapter Seven

Siobhan could not believe she’d somehow ended up at Lord Miles’ home. Surely, both her mother and Amelia were terrified she’d do something scandalous. As soon as her mother arrived, Siobhan expected to be lectured on how to carry herself and act around Miles.

She was sure they did not have anything to worry about; after all, the poor man had seen her at her worst. She guessed that her appearance was appalling, with her hair askew and from the throbbing pain, perhaps with a swollen and bruised jaw.

If anything, Lord Miles would keep his distance using the excuse of her illness.

When she tried to sit up, pain tore from the back of her head to her left side, and she could not stop from crying out.

Within moments, two men and a woman rushed into the room and surrounded the bed. Miles, an older man who she assumed was the butler, and a woman wearing an apron stared down at her with questioning looks.

“What happened?” Miles asked, moving closer and touching her hand. “Are you in pain?”

Siobhan sniffed and nodded slowly. “I tried to sit up and it hurt horribly. But I must…” she hesitated, and looked at the woman as her face heated. To even mention such a thing in front of Miles was beyond embarrassing.

“I will assist her, my lord,” the woman stated. “I have looked after many a woman right after delivery. There is no need to fret, dear.” She made shooing motions with both hands urging the men to leave. Then the woman’s warm gaze met hers. “I am Firtha. Now lass, let us try to get you to relieve yourself without moving overmuch.”

Indeed Firtha was well versed in assisting invalids because she knew exactly what she needed and how to get it done most efficiently. She only had to lift her hips as the woman saw to her needs. Although it was mortifying, the relief of pressure took any embarrassment away.

“I wish to sit up,” Siobhan insisted.

“The doctor urged us to not allow it until he has examined you,” Firtha told her. “But I can assist you to drink a bit of tea. I will return shortly.”

Firtha was a godsend. Not only did she wash Siobhan’s face, hands, and arms, but she managed to brush her hair to the side and braid it so that it wasn’t tugging on her wound or uncomfortable to lie on. Although the back of her head was not touched, Siobhan knew she was much more presentable.

She’d just finished the last of the tea, which had been spooned into her mouth by Firtha, when the doctor entered the room.

Miles had yet to return, and she was nervous about seeing the doctor alone. “Can Lord Miles come in while you are here?” she asked in a trembling voice. She wasn’t sure why the thought of Miles staying with her made her less fearful, and indeed, he probably had no desire to be in the room with her and the physician. Even though her hair was brushed, and her face was clean, she was fairly sure she still appeared frightful and nothing like the attractive young women that he no doubt preferred.

Still, the doctor nodded and walked out. Siobhan was surprised when he returned moments later with Miles. She was even more surprised to see Lord Miles looking at her with a huge smile on his face as well as concern in his eyes. “As I told you, my lord, the lass is a bit scared,” the doctor said, pulling instruments from his bag.

Although Miles remained by the door, his presence was comforting. “You will be fine, Miss Blair. Do not fret.”

“Where is Mother?” she asked. “She should be here by now.”

Both men remained silent, not knowing the answer to her question. Of course her mother was a late riser, but she expected that because of the circumstances, she’d get up earlier to come and see about her.

Tears burned her eyes and Siobhan blinked them away. This was the most humiliating experience. Surely Miles felt as uncomfortable as she did.

The doctor was efficient, looking into her eyes and listening to her heart.

“My lord, I require your assistance to turn her to her side.”

Siobhan closed her eyes, feeling shocked. Surely, this was not proper. Two men—one of them an eligible bachelor—were about to touch her very personally. It was necessary of course, but surely her mother should be there.

Before she could refuse, they made quick work of turning her onto her right side. Miles rested his hands on her left shoulder and waist while the doctor lifted. She opened her eyes, whimpering at the pain it caused and gasped in panting breaths until it lessoned.

The doctor must have motioned for Miles to turn away, because he gave her his back so the doctor could examine her shoulder and hip.

“Did you know that Doctor Ralston has been my doctor since I was a wee lad? He is our family physician,” Miles said, obviously doing what he could to distract her. She concentrated on Miles’ voice, doing her best to ignore the fact a strange man was touching her body, though his reason to do so was only to learn if it hurt, or if she was tender.