Free Andrea Kane by Dream Castle

is almost as ridiculous as your attempt to get up. Damn it, Kassie, you’re hurt. No doubt your ribs are badly bruised, if not broken.” He bent over her, his voice tender. “Let yourself lean on me just this once.”
    She gave him a weak smile. “I recall your saying those same words to me at my cottage. Leaning on you seems to be becoming a habit.”
    “Is that such a bad thing?” he questioned softly.
    “I don’t like being dependent upon anyone.”
    Braden nodded his understanding. She was a strong, self-reliant young woman. A rarity indeed. And still she had chosen to come to him when she was alone, to turn to him when she was frightened. A surge of pleasure coursed through him, making his heart feel lighter than it had in weeks. He stared down into her beautiful, bruised face, her determined little chin lifted proudly. Kassie was a survivor. But Braden knew that she could not survive this alone. He would take care of her somehow. After he took care of her father.
    “Braden? What in the name of heaven is going on here before the sun has even risen?”
    Cyril Sheffield stood in the open doorway looking bleary-eyed and bewildered. He glanced into the drawing room, having been told by a flustered Perkins that an unknown woman was being tended to by His Grace. Stunned, he waited for an explanation from his nephew.
    Braden turned, his broad shoulders blocking Kassie’s prone figure from Cyril’s view.
    “We have a guest, Cyril,” he replied, giving his uncle a warning look. “Unfortunately, she has been injured. Dr. Howell is on his way to see to her wounds.”
    Thoroughly at sea, Cyril sputtered, “Are you telling me that a perfect stranger is being tended to at Sherburgh?”
    Kassie pushed herself onto her elbows, ignoring the stab of pain that accompanied the movement. “Forgive me, sir, but I am at fault.” Fighting a wave of dizziness, she swung her legs over the side of the settee and attempted to stand. “I have disrupted your home, and I apologize. I will go—”
    The rapid draining of color from her face was Braden’s only sign. He lunged forward and caught her just before she collapsed at his feet.
    “Nowhere,” he finished for her, easing her back onto the sofa. “You will go nowhere, you stubborn chit.” He shook his head in frustration. “This is not a stranger, Cyril,” he clarified to his uncle, “but a friend.” He smiled. “Kassie, may I present my uncle, Lord Cyril Sheffield. Cyril, this is Miss Kassandra Grey.”
    Cyril walked over, his dark eyes steadily fixed on the exquisite young woman before him. Even battered and dirty, she was breathtaking. For a long moment he was silent.
    “Miss Grey,” he said at last, bowing slightly. “I am charmed. Please forgive me. I did, indeed, misunderstand the situation.”
    Kassie smiled. “You are very kind, my lord,” she replied. “And I am very sorry to have barged into your home unannounced at the crack of dawn.” She hesitated, knowing that some explanation was in order, reluctant to provide one. She had already humiliated herself before Braden, before Mr. Graves. She did not want to demean herself further in front of Braden’s uncle.
    Sensing her discomfort, Braden interjected, “I have ordered a bath and some clean clothes for Kassie. Once the doctor has seen to her wounds, I have a small errand to run that will take me from Sherburgh for several hours. I wonder if I could rely upon you to see to our guest’s comfort during my absence, Cyril?”
    “Excuse me?” Cyril looked dazed as he tore his eyes from Kassie’s face. “Oh … of course, Braden; certainly. I would be delighted to provide company for Miss Grey until you return.”
    Braden nodded, then turned back to Kassie. “Unless you’d rather sleep?”
    Kassie shook her head vehemently. “I don’t think I could … not just yet.”
    “Fine. Then it is settled. However”—his glance flickered to Cyril—“I want Kassie to rest until the doctor arrives. Don’t