The Duke's Bidding

Chapter 10

Reaching over to apply some salve to the cuts on her forehead, John was startled when her eyes fluttered open. He saw the panic in them as she tried to sit up, shielding herself with her arms. Her half-wince, half-shriek of pain wretched his heart. He stood up and backed away, quickly raising both of his hands, palms out.

"Please don't move! I am not trying to hurt you. I found you on the road. You are badly hurt—I was just putting some salve on your cuts and bruises." He paused for a sign of acceptance. When she lay still, he moved closer. "I think you may have a few broken ribs. You probably need stitches on your shoulder and thigh. I am just rubbing the rest of this salve on your face, and we are going to wait for the doctor for the rest."

The panic in her eyes angered John. Not at her, rather for her. He was so angry it took a few moments and every ounce of his strength to reign in his own feelings. She was afraid of him, of men. He hated people who did this to women and children. How someone could hurt her like this! That's when he noticed her sea green eyes adjust and glisten over. He could see her jaw set, as she looked away from his direct stare. Her eyes seemed to scan the room. A moment later, she took a deep breath and looked at him again. She must be trying to get her emotions under control. Good.She was a fighter. 

"Let's put the rest of this balm on your cuts and bruises while we wait for the doctor. I know it is foul smelling—When you see Mrs. Perkins you can complain to her about that. She used to plaster me with this stuff. I promise to avoid hurting you as much as I can." She stayed still while he finished applying the salve and chattered incessantly of its awful odor. When John finished, he surveyed the supplies Watson brought him. The man was thorough. There was some bread and a bowl of broth. John cajoled her into drinking the broth to help build her strength.

After she had her fill of the broth, John took the vile of laudanum and held a spoonful to her mouth, "I am sorry, drink some of this, it's bitter, but it will help with the pain."

He did not have to wait long for it to take effect. "My name is John by the way. What's your name?" She frowned as she took a moment to think. He saw her green eyes widen as realization set in. She couldn't remember!

"I don't know, I don't remember. O God, I don't know who I am," she whispered.

John considered the revelation of the unknown woman for a second and forced a smile to ease her mind. "Don't worry, we can figure that out later. Let's finish dressing your wounds. I sent for the doctor, but he is delivering a baby in the next village over. I am certain he will be here as soon as he can."

She raised her right hand and slowly lifted the blanket to peek beneath it. He saw a bright crimson color creep up her neck and cheeks. This was quite a feat, considering all the black and blue bruising.

"Who—undressed me?" She studied his face while John kept silent. He saw the moment she realized it in her eyes. Another flush covered her bruised face. She had such expressive eyes. He found it amusing that in her state she was more worried about her attire or the lack thereof, than her damaged body. For the first time since he met her, John genuinely smiled.

"There is no need to be embarrassed. I was way too scared for your health to worry about what you looked like." She blushed even more.

She could not make eye contact with him, so she opted to regard the room instead, "I am so tired—" she said, as her eyes started to droop.

John was thankful when the laudanum took effect. She must have had an empty stomach. He was glad she would be able to sleep while he finished taking care of her wounds. Her eyes glazed over and closed. Her breathing deepened. Gently he applied the salve over her jaw and neck. He cleaned the cut on her collarbone and started working the salve into the bruised ribs. That must have hurt because her body jerked under his hands. God she was so injured.