Free A Bride for Alfie (Yorkshire Brides) by Kimberly Luke

Chapter 1
    Yorkshire, England 1822
    Pain... Why am I in such agonizing pain?
    His head was pounding; he felt he may lose the contents of his stomach. He heard a woman’s voice, but was unable to discern her face in the darkness.
    “Lie still, my maid has gone for help,” the woman said. “Your horse has thrown you.” He felt a light touch on his cheek.
    “Is my horse injured?” The copper-sorrel was an old friend.
    “No, he is unharmed; we will stable him for you in a good place.”
    “I should try to get up.” His pride demanded fortitude.
    A light pressure held him fast. “No, please, I am uncertain how serious your injuries are.” His angel’s good sense cut through the bravado; he obeyed.
    “How long have I been out?”
    “I am unsure. You were unconscious when I found you nearly half an hour ago.”
    “Audra”—a male voice called out in the distance—“Audra?”
    “We are here Robert,” his angel said.
    She caressed his cheek once again. “Help has arrived Mr...”
    “Lockwood, My name is Alfie Lockwood.”
    A male form bent over him; he could hear his angel talking with another woman.
    “I see you have taken a serious tumble, Mr. Lockwood. My name is Dr. Robert Shirley; I am the local surgeon. I must examine you to determine how best to move you.”
    Alfie braced himself as knowledgeable hands ran over his battered body.
    “Your legs seem to be well intact. We are going to help you stand, and get you onto my horse; however, both of your arms are broken, so please, do not try to do anything other than lean on me, and Miss Parker.”
    The pain was excruciating: his legs did not wish to cooperate, and his lower back was in spasms. They finally managed to load him onto the horse. The painful journey to a bed proceeded.
    They took him to a generous cottage where an older woman and the good doctor unclothed him. There, the good doctor re-examined him in the candlelight of a bedchamber.
    Dr. Shirley stood, hands clasped before him, at the side of the bed. “Mr. Lockwood, I am going to have to set both of your forearms. It will be painful; I do apologize.” He turned and spoke to the older woman. “Will you ask Audra to come? I need her.” After a sympathetic pat on his uninjured leg, the older woman left the room. Soon thereafter, his angel entered. It was his first real glimpse of her. She was no longer a voice in the dark; she was a beautiful young woman. Long sable hair hung down across her shoulders in gentle waves, and as he had imagined, she had the delicate features of an angel: skin of porcelain, and big blue eyes. He guessed from her manner she was older than she appeared. With his beautiful assistant, the good surgeon set his broken arms. Relieved he had not cried out, Alfie tried to quell the lingering pain.
    Dr. Shirley gently grasped his shoulder. “You should stay off your feet until the muscles in your lower back have had time to heal. I will clean, and stitch your head wound, then I will leave Miss Parker to clean your other wounds.”
    The beautiful Miss Parker, his angel, presented him with a smile. “ Do you remember what happened Mr. Lockwood?”
    “I remember leaving out this morning, and that is it.”
    Dr. Shirley threaded the final stitch upon his forehead. “Your head injury is likely causing your memory loss. The memory of the actual event may return in time, but it is not uncommon for people never to remember.” He rose from the bedside and cleaned his tools in a wash basin atop the nightstand. “I am leaving you in capable hands tonight; I will return to check on you as soon as I can.”
    “Thank you, doctor.”
    Dr. Shirley acknowledged his gratitude with an easy smile. “Good night Mr. Lockwood.” He turned to Miss Parker and grasped the top of her arm. “I have left medicine with Mira to help him sleep if he has need of it.”
    *
    Audra followed Robert from the chamber. He traced the length of her celestial nose. “Audra, I am not particularly comfortable