Fire Raven Read Online Free PDF Page B

tearing his gaze away from her heart-shaped face. He hadn’t taken a good close look at her features before. Aye, she was beautiful. Flawless, in fact. Despite the fading scratches and bruises, she was still a beauty. He felt a nervous tic start in his left cheek as she turned her eyes toward him. Was Mrs. Carey certain her patient couldn’t see?
    A moment later, Morgan had his answer. Kate blinked her emerald green eyes as if to clear them, but no revulsion showed on her face — yet. Morgan set the tray down on a table beside the bed with an audible clatter.
    “Oh!” Kate exclaimed, starting with surprise. She looked abashed. “I’m sorry. The noise frightened me.”
    “Forgive me. I’m a man, you know. We’re renowned for being clumsy.” Morgan forced a smile into his voice, though smiling was the last thing he felt like doing. He was anxious to escape the room and the disturbing presence of the beauty in the bed.
    “Please, won’t you have a seat? At least, I assume there’s a chair somewhere in the room.”
    “Several,” he confirmed, pulling one up to the patient’s bedside. “I can only stay a moment. I’m headed out again to the pastures.”
    “Winnie mentioned something about shearing. Have you many sheep to tend?”
    “Aye, several thousand.” Morgan read the genuine interest in her expression and was taken aback. No women he knew feigned interest in agriculture. Was she the daughter of a local serf? Unlikely. He had spoken to her in Welsh once or twice, yet she seemed not to understand him.
    “Have you crops to look after, as well?”
    “Little enough. This part of Wales is mostly grazing land, fit for pasture rather than food.” Morgan wiped his moist palms on his breeches. It was getting harder and harder to effect a quick escape.
    “I would fain see everything,” she whispered. “The land, I mean. I hope my sight comes back soon.”
    “I’ve no doubt ’twill. Winnie knows all about the healing ways of plants.”
    “I adore her. She’s so kind and funny. Pray tell, what does she look like?”
    “Well, let me think a moment. She’s plump and fussy, rather like a mother hen in manner. She has bright red hair and freckles.”
    Kate clapped her hands. “That’s exactly how I pictured her in my mind!”
    Despite his mood, Morgan couldn’t help but chuckle at her obvious delight. “How d’you imagine me?”
    The minute he asked the idle question, he regretted it, but then it was too late. Her bandaged brow was already furrowed in thought.
    “Why, you’re tall, of course. Quite muscular, but lean.” At her quizzical, waiting look, Morgan shifted uneasily but remained silent. Her guess was uncannily accurate.
    “My coloring?”
    “Dark. Quite dark. I don’t know why, but I’m sure your eyes and hair must be nearly black.”
    “Are you sure you can’t see me?” he teased, his gut twisting at the thought of her staring horror-stricken at his face.
    She shook her head. “Then I’m right? How odd. ’Tis almost as if I can see you with my mind, rather than my eyes.”
    Count your damned blessings , Morgan thought. He changed the subject. “You must be famished. Here, I’ll set the tray on your lap.”
    Carefully, he settled the silver salver in place. He guided her hand to the utensils but she remained frozen, not attempting to eat.
    “What’s wrong?” he inquired.
    “I’m afraid I’ll make a mess of things. That’s meat broth I smell, isn’t it? I’ll spill it all over the bed.”
    Devil take you, Wynne Carey , Morgan thought as he picked up the spoon for her. His housekeeper must have known the girl wouldn’t be able to feed herself, either.
    “Here,” he said, setting aside the tureen lid and lifting a spoonful of broth to her lips. “I’ll help you.”
    “Thank you,” she whispered and opened her mouth to swallow the broth.
    This continued for several minutes until the broth was gone. Morgan smiled in satisfaction to see her appetite.
    “You’ll be