Rebellious Bride Read Online Free PDF

from the wagon and ran up the veranda steps. The front door flew open, and her passage was blocked by a thin, distinguished-looking man impeccably dressed in a suit that Lil felt appropriate for a fancy ball.
    “Excuse me, madam,” Jonathan said, holding up his hand to bar her entrance. “But I requested the doctor, not the birthing woman.”
    Lil found his formal and stuffy manner amusing, but she had no time to take delight in it. “Doc Talbert will be unavailable for at least another day. I’m his assistant, Lil. I’m sure I can be of help.”
    Jonathan was adamant in his refusal. “I fear not, madam. Lord Sherborn has sustained a deep wound to his thigh that possibly will require stitching. Although I am certain you are skillful with a needle, it would be most inappropriate for you to tend to him in such a personal fashion.”
    Lil nodded with a smile. “As you wish.” She was about to turn to leave when she paused. “I should warn you that infection will set in if the wound is left unattended, and of course you must watch out for fever. Then, if the leg isn’t properly treated, there’s always the chance that it will have to be sawed off. Perhaps the best thing for me to do when I get to town...” Lil allowed her words to trail off and nodded again as though in agreement with herself. “Yes, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll send the undertaker out to see you tomorrow. Good day and my best to Lord Sherborn.”
    Before she could take another step, Jonathan spoke.
    “Perhaps it would be wise if you ascertained Lord Sherborn’s condition for yourself.”
    “I’d be happy to do that,” Lil said and marched toward Jonathan with purposeful steps, causing the manservant to back out of her way.
    “Follow me,” Jonathan said once inside the house.
    Lil was amazed how the man could walk as though looking straight ahead yet keep one eye focused on her to see her reaction to her surroundings. Her lack of curiosity obviously disturbed him, causing his head to turn more than hers, since she didn’t glance about, but fixed her eyes straight ahead on him. Her only interest was in her patient.
    Jonathan stopped at the second door on the right as they turned down a long hall. He spoke in a hushed tone while his hand remained firm on the knob. “Lord Sherborn is...” Jonathan couldn’t seem to speak. His neck beneath his white starched collar began to turn bright red, the infusing color rushing up to brighten his otherwise pale cheeks. “Lord Sherborn has been made comfortable and prepared for the doctor’s visit. He is in an extreme state of... undress.”
    Lil hid the smile that ached to slip out. “I can assure you that I am accustomed to dealing with men in various states of undress.”
    Jonathan’s obvious disapproval of her unladylike work was apparent in his expression. “I’m sure you are, but this is Lord Sherborn we are discussing.”
    Lil raised one eyebrow in question. “He is a man, isn’t he?”
    Jonathan’s entire face grew scarlet, and his nostrils flared.”Yes, madam, he is a man.”
    “Then I should have no problem. I am quite familiar with the male anatomy.” Lil didn’t mean that statement to sound as intimate as it did, but she was annoyed at valuable time being wasted over such petty nonsense.
    “You’ve made yourself perfectly clear,” Jonathan said.
    His refusal to address her as “madam” wasn’t lost on Lil, but she didn’t particularly care. What she did care about was Rolfe’s condition. She signaled Jonathan with a wave of her hand to open the door, and an irritated Jonathan did as directed.
    Lil entered the room with a determined flourish. She expected to see a huge four-poster bed with heavy curtains so typical of English aristocrats. At least, so she assumed from her reading. Instead she found a large brass bed more customary to the West.
    Her attention was immediately drawn to the spread-eagled man on the bed. He was devoid of clothing except for a wide white towel