Innocence (12 page)

“Lean forwards and put your hands on my shoulders.”
 

Lisa complied, and he lifted her with his hands at her waist, holding her out from his body to allow her skirts to settle around her. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she wilted against him, a long, overdue blush warmed her cheeks. She had no right to keep embracing the man but couldn’t seem to stop herself. Stepping away, she rubbed her arm where her attacker had gripped it tightly, unable to stifle a wince. Nathaniel quickly undid the cuff of her sleeve, pushing it back to reveal an ugly red welt circling her upper arm.

“Hell and damnation.”
 

“It’s all right. It’s just a bruise. He was going to strike me, but you got there in time.”

“Thank God,” he said hoarsely, pulling her back into his arms. Lisa could think of no place she would rather be, but a glance towards the inn revealed they had an audience. Her ability to avoid attention was truly abysmal.

“How did you and Lord McGivern know to come looking for us?” she asked. “Do you normally come to the village on market day?”

“Not normally, no. But when I asked after you this morning, Henson said you’d gone into the village with some of the other servants. I told myself there was no need for concern after I made an example of the footmen who accosted you. But then I started thinking about the ruffians that frequent the market, and I decided to come and check on you in person. A good thing, too, since you had gone off virtually
alone
.” He lifted her chin with a forefinger.

“I would have been perfectly safe if we’d not been delayed by a garrulous merchant and his wife who insisted Sam and I stay for tea.”
 

Nathaniel’s eyebrows rose, and Lisa’s shoulders slumped.
 

“Very well. In hindsight, Sam and I should have requested one of the older lads accompany us, but I didn’t want to spoil the others’ fun and I was determined to find . . .”
 

“Find what?” he asked when her words trailed away.

Lisa motioned to the bag slung over her shoulder, and Nathaniel looked inside, frowning at the contents.

“It’s a truffle,” she huffed. “I wanted to cook the sauce you said you like, for it to be a surprise.”
 

“Ah, Lisa. I don’t care about some exotic dish. I’d much rather have you safe, not accosted and injured or
worse
.”

“Yes, well, that wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“No.” He cupped her cheek with his hand. “And nothing like it will occur again, not if I have any say in the matter.”

Lisa smiled hesitantly, uncertain as to his meaning.
 

“Come along.” He led her towards the inn. “I want to get you inside out of the cold and arrange for the doctor to check your arm.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing.”
 

“Humour me,” he said dryly.

“But won’t it look unseemly if we enter an inn together? People will
talk
.”

“Let them.” Nathaniel shrugged. “After the fright you just gave me, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

“Oh,” she murmured, at a loss how to respond.
 

Chapter 10

Reputation

Lisa ducked her head as Nathaniel led her into the inn. A single young lady dining alone with an unrelated gentleman was unacceptable by society’s standards. A
servant
dining with her master was so far beyond the pale as to be virtually incomprehensible, or so she had always believed.
 

Nathaniel didn’t seem to think so.

“My companion has been the victim of an assault.” He informed the innkeeper who was eyeing her curiously. “Send for Dr. Caruthers and then show us to your best sitting room. We’d like a meal, but we shan’t be staying the night.”

“Certainly, my lord. Would ye like me to send my boy to collect yer steed? We’ve stables behind the inn, and I can call the farrier to look ’im over.”

“Yes, do. He was ridden hard over rough ground today and could do with some attention.”

“I’ll get me boy right on it.” The innkeeper bobbed his head and showed them to a modest but well-appointed sitting room, a small dining table in one corner.

“How lovely,” Lisa said, struggling to hide her chagrin at the odd looks the innkeeper kept sending her way.

“What is it?” Nathaniel drew her down to sit beside him on the settee, his arm around her shoulder. “Is your arm causing you pain, or are you still upset over the attack?”

“Actually, it’s neither,” she said. “I’m worried about my reputation.”
 

“Your reputation?” He laughed, though not unkindly. “That, my darling girl, is one of the few benefits of being a member of the working class. Your reputation is of little consequence.”

Lisa wasn’t so sure about that, though it wasn’t Lisa Brown’s reputation she was worried about but her own. Masquerading as a servant would dent it considerably, but in light of Lord Copeland’s perfidy, and with the benefit of the Duke of Worthington’s patronage, she hoped not beyond repair. Spending time alone with a gentleman in a public inn was another matter entirely.

“You’ve nothing to fear, Lisa, I promise.” Nathaniel gently stroked her shoulder.
 

“But what will people think?”
 

“What does it matter?”
 

Unsure how to explain her concerns, Lisa decided upon a partial truth. “My father warned me I should protect my reputation at all costs.”
 

“That’s understandable. With your beauty, charm, and education, he probably had hopes of seeing you marry higher than your station, a barrister, doctor, or retired officer, I imagine. Maybe even a country squire.”
 

Lisa nodded, Nathaniel’s assumption fitting with the story she had devised.
 

“But surely you must see that’s no longer possible?” He ran his fingers softly down her cheek. “You’ve travelled halfway across the country unchaperoned and are working as a maid. Your reputation, such as it was, is damaged beyond repair.”
 

“It is?” Lisa whimpered, her distress at his revelation tempered by the feel of his caress.

“I’m afraid so. You’ve spent considerable time alone in my company. After my actions today, everyone will assume we’ve
already
been intimate . . . in my office.” He kissed her cheek, and Lisa held her breath. “And in the library.” He kissed her other cheek, and she released it on a sigh.
 

Intimate?
She should ask Nathaniel to clarify his words, since he had just informed her that her life was effectively ruined, but all she could focus on was the feel of his lips brushing against her skin.
 

A knock sounded at the door, and she startled.

“Don’t worry. It’s probably the doctor. There’s no need to be afraid.” He bid their visitor enter, introducing him as Dr. Caruthers.
 

“I hear you’ve had a distressing afternoon, young lady.” The middle-aged gentleman noted.

“A man tried to steal my bag,” Lisa said, attempting to smooth her tousled hair. “He tore my bonnet from my head then grabbed my arm and gave me quite a shake, but I don’t believe it’s too badly hurt.”
 

“How about you let me be the judge of that.”
 

The doctor reached for the buttons on her gown, and Lisa’s hands rose in protest.
 

“I need only raise my sleeve for you to see the bruise,” she said, her gaze flitting to Nathaniel’s.
 

“Her dress and stockings must be removed, so I can make a proper examination.” The doctor directed his words to Nathaniel, who gave his permission with a nod.

“Is that strictly necessary?” Lisa asked, both embarrassed and piqued to be left out of the conversation.
 

The doctor looked to Nathaniel, further raising her ire.
 

“Humour me?” Repeating his earlier request, Nathaniel kneeled beside her. When he lifted her hand and brushed the back of her fingers with his lips, her resistance melted away.
 

“Very well. But could you both step outside, please?”

“There’s no need to put on an act on my behalf,” the doctor said. “You’ve nothing I haven’t seen before, and I’m sure the view’s not new to his lordship.”

“I beg your pardon?” Lisa gaped at the man before looking to Nathaniel, who rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
 

“I’ve only
just
taken Miss Brown under my protection,” he said.
 

“Oh, I see.” The doctor scowled. “I’ll return in a moment.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay and assist you?” Nathaniel asked Lisa once the man had departed.

“No, that won’t be necessary.” She clutched the front of her gown, and he smiled.

“Oh, sweetheart, you really are an innocent, aren’t you?”
 

“Well, yes, I suppose. Is there something wrong with that?”

“Not in the least.” He kissed her forehead before leaving her to undress in private.

With her hair in disarray, and wearing nothing but her chemise and pantaloons, Lisa felt decidedly vulnerable. The bruise on her arm stood out in stark relief against her fair skin, and the doctor discovered another one on her thigh beneath the hem of her chemise. When he reached for her pantaloons, as if to remove them, she quickly stayed his hand.

“Are you certain that is absolutely necessary, sir?” she asked, and he eyed her pointedly.

“You weren’t molested?”

Lisa frowned, unsure of his definition of the word. Being horribly manhandled didn’t seem to qualify, though she felt it should.

“Were you violated? Interfered with in a sexual manner?” he continued, and she shook her head uncertainly.
 

“You
do
know what I’m talking about?”
 

“I’ve
some
idea,” she said. “The man made threats, but I’m not exactly sure what his carrying them out would have entailed.”
 

“Good heavens!” The doctor sat back. “You’re a virgin.”

“Most definitely,” she assured him. The good ladies of Henbury had made it very clear she was to remain a virgin until her wedding night. They had been less forthcoming about how one might lose one’s virginal status, though Lisa gathered sharing a bed with a man was the primary factor, something she had not done.
 

“I don’t mean to pry, miss,” the doctor said. “But what’s a young lady of your obvious distinction doing in such a predicament? Have you fallen on hard times?”

“I’ve been orphaned, I’m afraid.” She made the admission sadly. “Before my father died, he told me to come to Worthington Hall. He said I’d be safe there, which has
mostly
been the case. Lord Marsden has taken it upon himself to keep watch over me, and after today, he says he shan’t be letting me out of his sight.”

The doctor snorted. “Yes, I received the same impression. I fear you’ve escaped the frying pan to land in the fire. Far be it for me to question a marquis, but is he aware of your sheltered upbringing?”

Lisa nodded, and the man sighed.

“Well, there’s nothing for it then. At least he seems to have a care for your well-being. I doubt he’ll be too rough with you.’

Alarmed by his words, she wanted to ask their meaning, but they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Lisa barely had time to reach for her dress and hold it in front of her before Nathaniel walked into the room.
 

“What’s the verdict?” he asked, his gaze roaming Lisa’s barely covered form.

“Just some minor grazes and a few contusions, my lord. I recommend the young miss apply a comfrey and witch-hazel unguent to reduce the swelling on her arm.”

“Have the account sent up to the Hall, and I’ll make sure you receive prompt payment.”
 

The doctor bowed to Nathaniel then collected his bag.
 

“Take care, Miss Brown.” He nodded his head respectfully, improving her opinion of his manner.
 

Nathaniel seemed amused by the man’s manner, and eyed her ruefully. “Your governess should be commended for doing an exemplary job. You could almost pass for a legitimate member of society if it wasn’t for the fact you’re here with me
alone
.”
 

Lisa laughed, the sound bordering on hysteria. “No, that wouldn’t be at all acceptable, would it?”
 

“Not in the least.” He leaned down to whisper close to her ear. “Which is why I’m very grateful you’re not a real lady.”

Her gasp changed to a whimper when he nuzzled the side of her neck with his lips.

“You needn’t worry. I promise to take good care of you,
very
good care.” He stood and moved towards the door. “Starting with giving you a chance to refresh yourself while I let the staff know we’re ready for our dinner.”

Lisa nodded dumbly as he departed, overwhelmed by the realisation of her dramatically changed circumstance. A maid arrived to assist her and show her to the ladies withdrawing room where she was able to use a washcloth and comb to repair the afternoon’s damage. As she brushed and restyled her hair, grateful for Ruth’s lessons, she contemplated Nathaniel’s endearments and caresses. He had said such sweet things and kissed her cheeks and forehead several times now. At the memory, her lips tingled in anticipation of the same. There was no denying she
wanted
him to kiss her even knowing it would be the final nail in the coffin of her reputation.