The Mysterious Lord Marlowe Read Online Free PDF Page B

it best while I was in the army. I believe a caretaker comes in now and then, but I doubt the bedding is fit to use.’
    ‘We shall do better in a comfortable chair,’ Jane said. ‘If you are agreeable, I shall light the fire in the parlour.’
    ‘I shall do that for you. We should eat andthen I will look at your ankle. I think cold water and a bandage—which should be in the dresser if all is as it was.’ He went to the dresser and took out a tin, opening it to extract a roll of linen. ‘My aunt was always prepared. I think I must fetch water from the well.’
    ‘I will wait for you in the parlour.’
    ‘Forgive me, your ankle still pains you. Go and sit down. I will bring food and the bandage in a moment or two.’
    Jane took the candles she had lit and retraced her steps to the large parlour. She lit several more and then touched a flame to the fire. It flared almost at once, which meant the wood and paper had kept dry despite the house being closed for so long. The house was clearly not damp and must be well built.
    Her situation was improved despite the impropriety of it all. George seemed to mean her no harm and for the moment she must trust him, though it irked her to be at the mercy of a rogue. She was used to being independent and using her own judgement, and this need of a stranger’s help was both uncomfortable and annoying.
    Seeing the elegant day bed, Jane settled back on the cushions and rested her foot in frontof her. With the candles and the fire, which was now burning strongly, it was pleasant and comfortable. She put her head back and closed her eyes, quickly falling asleep.
    * * *
    Returning to the parlour some minutes later, George stood looking at Jane, feeling disinclined to disturb her. Yet the bread and cheese he had brought with him was on the plates he had found in the kitchen, the wine poured into glasses—and her ankle would do better if he bound it.
    ‘Forgive me, Miss…Jane,’ he said and touched her shoulder.
    Jane woke with a little start, giving a cry of alarm. Then, seeing him standing there, a tray of food placed carefully on the occasional table by her side, and the linen bandaging in his hand, she smiled. The smile came from within and lit up her eyes. She had such calm grey eyes and her dark, almost ebony hair had fallen into tangles where it had escaped from the knot at the nape of her neck. She was not beautiful in a conventional sense, but had a face filled with character and warmth.
    ‘It is you,’ she said. ‘For a moment IThought…How thoughtless of me to fall asleep. You must be wanting your supper.’
    George’s heart caught when she smiled. She was an attractive girl, but he had not thought her more until that moment. He wondered that she wore such dull colours and scraped her hair back in an unflattering style when she could make so much more of herself if she chose.
    ‘I was thinking of you, Jane. Your ankle needs a cold compress and ought to be bound tightly to take down the swelling.’
    ‘Yes, I am sure that would help. I feared it might be broken, but the pain has eased a little, which means, I think, that it is merely a sprain.’
    He knelt on the floor beside her and ran gentle, sensitive fingers over her ankle, then inclined his head.
    ‘I believe it is as you say, Jane. Nevertheless, it will help to have a cold compress and bandaging for a while. We shall not stay here long tomorrow, so it will be better for you if your ankle is easier.’
    George worked steadily, applying the cold pack he had prepared with water drawn from the deep well. He bound her ankle tightly, knowing that it would strengthen it for her, making it easier to walk. She drew a sharpbreath once and he apologised for hurting her, but she shook her head. He finished his work as quickly as possible.
    ‘If you are still in pain, I will bind the ankle again in the morning,’ he said. ‘Can you eat something? The wine is soft and fruity, not too strong—will you try a little before