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

bringing the man here, but I suppose he is sufficiently immobilized for the time being, and it would have been torture for him to go any further.”
    Audra helped roll his sleeves back down and buttoned them. “You worry too much over us Robert.”
    “I love you”—he pulled her against him—“I love your sister; I love your mother.
    “We love you too”—she put her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away—“now go see to your other patients, and leave me with mine.”
    Audra waited for Robert to make his exit before issuing her own set of instructions to her mother, and Mira. “You two go on to bed. I will see to cleaning Mr. Lockwood’s smaller wounds, and I will come to bed when I am done.”
    “Very well my dear, you have a good night.” Her mother kissed her forehead.
    When she returned to her patient he had his eyes closed. She knew he was in pain. “Mr. Lockwood, are you awake?”
    His eyes popped open. “Yes...” His suffering was evident in his voice.
    “I need to clean your other wounds, and then I promise to let you rest.”
    He presented her with a boyish smile.
    She placed the replenished wash basin on the nightstand and sat on the side of the bed. Her hip felt scorched where she touched his. She quickly felt for fever, but his forehead was cool to the touch. As she set about her work, she carefully cleaned each hand. His fingers were rough, and calloused; he was a man accustomed to activity. As she cleaned a particularly angry cut across his collar bone, she examined his bare chest. His skin was dark, and taunt over his well defined musculature. His hair was a dark shade of blonde; his chest and arms bore a light dusting of the same. His poor battered arms; she could not bear to think of the pain he must be in. She finished up her ministrations when she realized he was watching her with curious greyish-green eyes.
    “Where were you heading this evening Mr. Lockwood?”
    “I have property two hours ride north of here; I travel there a couple times a year to check on the place, and meet with my steward.”
    “Where do you live the remainder of the time?”
    “Are you familiar with Lexington Hall near York?”
    “I am.”
    “A tenant farmer raised me there. He has passed on, but I am still overseeing the place until my sister’s marriage. Her husband will then take over. She is not my biological sister, but her father raised us as though we were; therefore, I love her as such.
    “What of your biological family, if I may ask?’
    “My biological father has passed as well. My mother and I scarcely see one another. She lives in London. I do, however, have a fledgling relationship with my half-brother Garrick Winter; he is master at Lexington Hall.”
    “I am sorry to hear both of your father figures have passed on. My father passed away as well.” She stood, and eyed her handiwork. “Well Mr. Lockwood I am all done. I will leave you to sleep. If you have need of me, I will be sitting up for a while.”
    “Thank you Miss Parker, and I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father.”
    Goodness, why did she feel so breathless in his presence? Sure he was a handsome man, but so was Robert.
    *
    After a few hours of reading, she could hardly hold her eyes open, and her patient had not made a peep, so she thought it safe to go on to bed; however, she wanted to look in on him first. She quietly entered the small downstairs chamber where her patient slept. He was restless: asleep but fighting his pain. She placed her hand on his forehead; he seemed to calm.
    “Eva. Stay with me.” He pleaded.
    She did not know how to respond. He was talking in his sleep.
    “Eva, please, just for a while, Garrick will not miss you for a few moments.” He tried to move his arm to reach for her. The pain brought him abruptly awake. His eyes fixated on her immediately.
    “Mr. Lockwood, would you like me to give you the medicine Dr. Shirley left for you?”
    “No, I will be fine; please see to your