by Dawn Brower
“All in a day’s work.” She dusted off her skirt. “Thank you for having patience with me.”
“You did the same for me, remember?” He scratched Oro’s jaw. “You looked beautiful sitting up there.”
Some of her elation fell away. “I’ve never looked beautiful doing anything.”
“Whoever told you that lied.” He moved closer to her again. “Your looks are nothing to be ashamed of. You’re beautiful inside and out. Your smile makes me happy. Makes me remember what it was like to share laughter with a woman. It’s strong and bright.”
He lifted his hand to cup her face. “You are not plain, Jayne. You’re as unique as every star, every seashell, every stone.”
Her heart pounded. Fletcher’s touch made her knees soft. “I’m not special.”
“Oh, but you are.” His lips grazed hers.
Jayne’s breath caught. She stretched up to deepen the kiss and press herself against him. His arms circled her waist and she fit against him perfectly. The fear and anxiety vanished with his touch.
She pulled back from the kiss to gaze at him. “Fletcher…”
“I overstepped again, didn’t I?” He backed away. “I’m sorry, Jayne. That was inappropriate. You are so befuddling. Even when I know I shouldn’t touch you, I can’t resist.”
They were alone at the paddock, not a soul to see them. As recklessly as she threw her reputation around, they were bound to get caught soon. She lowered her chin, unable to meet his eyes. “It was partly my fault too. Please don’t feel guilty.”
“This is damnably frustrating.” He removed his hat and turned it in his hands. “I like you a great deal. I have my reservations about becoming involved with women. Losing Roslyn left me impossibly empty. It’s taken me a long time to become comfortable with the notion of courting another woman. And the one I want is the one out of my reach. I don’t mean to put your position in jeopardy.”
“We will have to endeavor to contain ourselves. I’ll do better in the future. It’s not only me I worry for, but you and Bethany. There’s enough upheaval in her world without bringing governesses in and out. I worry that the lord might not like you dallying with the other employees here. I wouldn’t like to get both of us terminated.”
“I agree. It’s best if we stay friends.” He settled his hat on his head again. “Wonder where Bethany got off to?”
Thank heavens she hadn’t come upon them while they were kissing. It would have been too difficult to explain. “I’ll go see.”
She made her way to the rock stable.
Galen had Jenny loosely tied while he cleaned her hooves.
She cast a wary eye at Jayne.
Getting close to Oro was one thing, but the half wild mare was entirely different. Jayne approached with caution while the horse’s ears flicked and her nostrils flared.
“Hello, Miss Strange.” Galen put Jenny’s hoof down. “Can I help you with something?”
“Have you seen Bethany?”
The mare shied at a bird that dove close. She yanked her lead and the knot slipped.
“Jenny, no.” Galen reached for the lead, but missed.
Jenny bolted, her dark mane and tail flying, her red hide flashing like fire as her long legs carried her across the ground.
Jayne froze. Her breath caught. Before she could move, Jenny’s massive shoulder connected with hers. The force spun Jayne away and she fell to the ground.
“Miss Strange!” Galen raced to her side, but he stared after the mare. “Mr. Nash is going to be furious.”
Jayne bit the inside of her lip. Pain flared hot and throbbing in her shoulder. “You had better try to catch her.”
“I’ll fetch Mr. Nash for you.” Quick as Jenny, he darted away.
Bethany came running, dropping the brushes she’d gone after. Her ivory skin had gone a shade whiter. “Miss Jayne, are you hurt?”
Jayne sat up and pressed her right hand to her left shoulder. “She only clipped me. I don’t think I’m too badly injured.” But when she tried to move her left arm, she had to bite back a whimper.
Fletcher ran across the grass, then got to one knee before her. “Where are you hurt?”
“Don’t make a fuss. Help me up. It’s dreadfully embarrassing to be on the ground like this.” She held out her right hand for him to take. “Please, Fletcher.”
Bethany’s eyes filled with tears. “I saw it, Mr. Nash. The horse nearly ran her right over. She’s going to be all right, won’t she?”
Fletcher met Bethany’s gaze. “Don’t cry. Run up to the house and tell Mrs. Lusk I need some comfrey salve. You have her or the footman bring it down to my house. Stay up there. I’ll send Miss Jayne back as soon as I’m sure she’s fine.”
“I want to stay with Miss Jayne.” Bethany’s lower lip slid out. “Please?”
“Now go on and do what I told you. It’s no time to be stubborn.”
Bethany sniffled. “I will.”
“Good girl.” Fletcher slipped his hand around Jayne’s. “Up we go. Carefully.”
She sucked in a breath as he helped her to her feet. She was steady, but suddenly finding her way into bed didn’t seem like such a bad idea. “I think I can make it back to the manor if we go slowly.”
“My house is closer. Just beyond the stables there.” He nodded. “Now tell me, what’s the trouble?”
“I think I was more scared than anything. It’s only my shoulder and my side a bit. It’s nothing too serious.” She trembled, which did nothing to help her pain. “There’s really no reason to worry.”
“Nine hundred pounds of horse tried to run over you. I’m worried. Can you walk?”
“I’m standing. Of course I can walk. Did someone catch the horse? It would be a pity if she injured herself again.”
“Don’t worry about the horse. Come with me.” He kept a slow pace and a sharp eye on her as though he feared she’d topple over.
“I’m worried about the horse. Lord Camprich might not care that his daughter’s governess is fine if his horse has a broken leg.”
“Samuel and Galen will catch her.”
He led her to a small stone cottage that matched the stables nicely. It was barren of the flowers that graced the manor, save for a growth of dark green ivy up one wall.
“You aren’t going to hurt her because of what she did? She was frightened by a bird.” The ache in her shoulder grew with every step.
“I’m not going to hurt her. I never have and I never will.” He opened the door for her. “Go in, sit down on the sofa.”
The walls were whitewashed, brilliantly gleaming, and the wooden floors were shiny and swept. The sofa and two arm chairs were arranged around an empty fireplace. Big windows gave a view of the paddocks. A staircase dominated one wall and held a doorway.
“The kitchen is through there. It doesn’t see much use from the likes of me.” He ducked through the doorway.
Jayne lowered herself to the sofa. Curiosity got the better of her shock. The room seemed devoid of personal touches. The manor proudly displayed portraits of Lord Camprich’s family, including a fairly recent painting of his daughter. Here, one lonely photograph of Oro graced the mantle. It leaned against a glass lamp.
The cottage barely seemed lived in.
“I had no idea you had a cottage.”
Fletcher returned with a damp cloth. “Where did you think I lived? In the barn with Oro?” He managed a smile, then held out the cloth. “You’ve got dirt on your face.”
She raised her hand to touch it, then winced as her shoulder pulled. “Ouch.”
“Does it feel broken?” His face pinched with concern. He dabbed at her face with the cloth.
She leaned away from his ministrations. “I’ve never had a broken bone. I couldn’t say, but I don’t think it’s too serious. A bruise. Really, Fletcher. I’ll survive.”
“Let me see.” He lowered himself beside her. “For reassurance that you’re as hardy as an oak and not a breakable porcelain doll.”
She grasped her blouse collar with her good hand. “Certainly not.”
“I sent Bethany to get the comfrey salve. You’re going to have to let someone rub it on.”
“Mrs. Lusk will do it.” She had no intentions of removing her blouse in front of him.
A knock at the door startled her.
Fletcher rose to answer it. “Come in, Charlie.”
Camprich’s footman, Charlie, stepped through the open doorway. “I heard there was an accident. Miss Bethany was near beside herself. Mrs. Lusk sent the comfrey. Is there anything else we can do? Should we send for the physician?”
“That’s not necessary. I’m not badly hurt. If you would please pass that information along to Mrs. Lusk so she can tell Bethany. It was more frightening than anything.” Jayne rose and braced her arm on the sofa. “I’ll be returning to the manor momentarily.”
“I’m glad you’re not hurt too badly, Miss Strange. Miss Bethany and Mrs. Lusk will be relieved to hear it.” Charlie passed the tin of salve to Fletcher. “Sir.”
Fletcher shut the door behind the footman. He held up the salve. “This will help heal any bruising. You need to apply it a couple of times a day.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.” Exhaustion weakened her knees. “Might I have a cup of tea before I return to the house? I’m in need of some comfort before I make my way back. That was a bit too much horse for me, I’m afraid.”
He moved closer when she dropped onto the sofa. “You’re pale as a fish belly.”
“What a lovely comparison. I’m not in need of the physician. Just tea.”
“Please let me have a look. So I can reassure myself that you’re not being brave and trying to save face.”
“Bother. If it makes you feel better, you can rub some of that stinking comfrey on my shoulder. Though I assure you, I’m not the least bit faint. I believe you have honorable intentions, so please don’t prove otherwise.” She unfastened the buttons on the collar of her white blouse and worked her way down, though she left it tucked into her dark grey skirt. Her chemise offered plenty of coverage.
Fletcher, gentleman cowboy, cast his eyes down until she cleared her throat. He grimaced when his gaze landed on her arm. “That’s going to be a dark bruise.”
He touched the tender flesh and she bit the end of her tongue to stifle a groan. He uncapped the tin of salve, scooped out a bit, then rubbed it onto her skin. His hand crept beneath the edge of her chemise. Fingertips smoothed over the top of her breast.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I’m not sure where to put this.”
“You’re doing fine.” Her heartbeat quickened. The concern on his face made her ache to lean into him. To allow Fletcher to steal her pain away with his touch.
“I won’t tell anyone this happened. That you were partially disrobed, I mean.” He swallowed, gaze intensely pinned to the beginnings of the bruise on her arm and shoulder.
“No one would think of you as taking advantage of an innocent woman.” She licked her dry lips and let her eyes drift close as he rubbed.
“I’m sorry you were hurt.”
“It wasn’t your fault. No one is to blame. Jenny is not the safest horse on this estate. I hope the lord sells her. It would be far worse if Bethany was injured because of Jenny.”
“It’s Galen’s fault for not tying her better. I won’t have an incompetent fool like him around these horses. He knows how to tie a suitable knot. One that won’t slip and cause someone to be injured. He was careless. It’s the last time.” Fletcher removed his hand. “I’ll get you some tea. Then we’ll get you back to the manor.”
She couldn’t argue his reasoning for wanting to fire Galen. Carelessness had no place around horses. Though she should have searched for Bethany elsewhere rather than approach Jenny. “I’m partly to blame too.”
A governess had no place around horses. She leaned her head back on the sofa. Worn from her fright and the pain, she closed her eyes.
Chapter 8
Rapid pounding pulled Fletcher from sleep. He bolted upright and threw his legs over the side of his bed before he came fully awake.
He threw a shirt over his head, then tugged on his denim trousers as he descended the stairs. “Be there in a minute. Coming!”
When he entered the hall, he caught a glimpse of Jayne sitting on the sofa, blanket around her hips, still in her chemise, and her face scrunched in bewilderment. He froze and their gazes met.
“Put your blouse on.” He waved his hands at her. She’d fallen asleep on the sofa and he didn’t have the heart to wake her. Last night he’d draped a blanket across her and let her rest. For the first time since Jenny had run into her, she’d seemed peaceful and at ease.
“Nash! Open this door.”
His blood ran cold.
Jayne struggled to get into her blouse. Still half tucked into her skirt, she had to straighten out the sleeves. The thing was hopelessly wrinkled.
The door burst inward.
George Camprich strode through with all the authority of a man who owned the cottage. He only loaned it to Fletcher as part of their agreement for Fletcher to train the horses. “What the devil was keeping you? I’ve been at the door a good fifteen minutes. You look as though you’ve recently tumbled from bed. Not drinking again, are you?”
He tried to flatten his hair with his hand. “No, Lord Camprich. Did you just arrive?”
Camprich’s jaw tightened. “Not half an hour ago. I already have an emergency.”
Fletcher hurried forward before Camprich could peek into the parlor. “What is it?”
“My daughter is beside herself with worry for her governess. It seems Miss Strange had an accident at the stables yesterday and has not been seen since the evening. She promised to return to the house, but never arrived. I need everyone available to look for her. Bethany won’t be calmed by anything less.”
Tall, athletic, and with all the bearing of a man who knew his station in life, Camprich didn’t ask. He demanded with an edge in his voice.
“I know all about it. I didn’t see the accident, but I assessed Miss Strange’s condition. She insisted she wasn’t injured badly and I believed her. I brought her here because it was closer than the house. Then I went out again and discovered Jenny had gone straight to her paddock with the other mares. She wasn’t hurt. Galen and I spoke about the incident. He’s leaving this morning. There are too many problems with him to allow him to continue on here.”
“Did you escort Miss Strange back to the house?” Camprich put his hands on his hips. “No one in the house has seen any indication that she returned.”
No one received any indication you were returning this morning. Fletcher bit his tongue, then shook his head. “I didn’t take her back to the house.”
She popped out of the parlor, high color on her cheeks. She moved a bit stiffly, as though her shoulder still pained her. An imprint of the sofa weave marred her face. She looked like she’d just tumbled from his bed.
Fletcher’s heart skipped a beat.
“Lord Camprich. I am terribly sorry to have caused such a panic. I would not have alarmed your daughter. Unfortunately, when Mr. Nash brought me here last night, I fell asleep on his sofa. It was a complete accident.” She turned her grey gaze on Fletcher. “It seems rather than disturb me, Mr. Nash was good enough to sleep out of doors last night, leaving me completely alone in the cottage. He just returned to freshen up before his morning duties and remind me that I too should get on my way.”
Camprich narrowed his eyes—a steely blue—at Jayne. “You slept here?”
She lowered her gaze. “I did. Quite alone.”
Camprich’s gaze wandered over her. She was in more disarray than she had been when Jenny knocked her down. Nothing about Jayne’s appearance said she’d been alone.
Nor did Fletcher’s. His braces hung at his sides. His shirt remained untucked. He wore no boots and his hair was mussed. “She’s telling the truth. I slept in the barn.”
The baron
’s jaw tightened. “I was informed that the two of you spend a great deal of time together. I won’t have the woman who’s meant to influence my daughter in positive ways leading her down a path of degradation.”
Fletcher stepped in front of Jayne to shield her from Camprich’s hard stare. “We’re friends, brought together by Bethany’s love of horses. Nothing is going on between us.”
“That isn’t what Galen and Samuel told me when I talked to them. Both claimed to see you kissing Miss Strange yesterday in the paddock.”
“Samuel is only trying to keep Galen from losing his job.” Fletcher curled his fists. “Miss Strange is innocent here. She could have been seriously injured because Galen failed to tie Jenny properly.”
“The evidence presents itself, Mr. Nash. I have a fondness for you, for what you’ve done here, and because of your impressive skills in Buffalo Bill’s show. However, with the accusation and what I see before me, I’ve drawn the conclusion that Miss Strange is not the sort of woman I wish to be in charge of Bethany’s education. You may gather your belongings, Miss Strange. Your employment is terminated.”
Jayne covered her mouth with her hand. Tears welled in her eyes. “Nothing happened, Lord.”
“Nothing other than an unmarried woman in my employ spent the night in a man’s house. You were given your own room, Miss Strange. It should have been perfectly suitable to recover from this alleged injury you received. I will draw up your pay while you pack. There will be no letter of recommendation for you.” Camprich turned, then left the cottage.
A sob broke from Jayne’s mouth. She hung her head as the tears ran freely down her face.
“Jayne…” He couldn’t think of any way to comfort her.
She wiped her eyes. “You have to watch after her, Fletcher. Keep her safe. They may be her parents, they may love her, but she needs you.”
He gritted his teeth. “No, this is ridiculous. I’m going up to the house to talk to him again. If he won’t allow you to stay, then I’m going to quit. This isn’t fair to you.”
Jayne shook her head. Her hair had fallen loose and hung down her shoulders. “No, please don’t. It isn’t right that two of us should be out of a job. You need this place. It’s good for you. I can find another position. Even without a letter from the Campriches. I have to pack.”