Bexley-Smythe Quintet 02 - Rhyme and Reason Read Free Page A

He’d done no more than run his hands over the lady’s arms before the maid struck him on the shoulder with her parasol.
    “I’ll call the watch, I will, you cur! You’ll not ravish milady on my watch.” Thwack, thwack, thump. “I swear to you, I’ll not lose my position on account of you or any other man.”
    Without ceasing his examination, he used one hand to wrench the parasol from her hands and toss it over the edge of the cliff just as he’d done with Danby’s letter and that blasted marriage license. “I have no intention whatsoever of ravishing her. I’m checking for broken bones. You could assist me, you know.”
    If she was so worried about her position, one would think she would do anything in her power to aid her mistress.
    The maid let out a little huff of indignation, but at least she had the sense to cease screaming and attempting to beat him about the head with various implements. He couldn’t help but notice she didn’t lift a finger to help him.
    There was little wonder she needed to worry for her future.
    After a cursory examination, it seemed the blow to the lady’s head was likely the worst of her injuries. That was good, but head injuries oughtn’t to be overlooked. He’d seen strong, healthy men die after something as seemingly benign as being kicked in the head by a horse. Concussion, at the very least, seemed likely given her faint.
    She needed a doctor.
    Thomas stood, lifting the blonde lady in his arms in a single motion. “I don’t believe she has any broken bones, but she needs her bed immediately, and a doctor. Where should I take her?” If she lived very far from the cliffs, he would need to first return her to the stables so the lads could ready a carriage.
    The mousy-haired maid blinked dumbly at him, not saying a word.
    Had she not heard him, or could she possibly be so simple-minded as to not have understood what he’d said? What sort of servant didn’t jump to do as they were told when their employer had been harmed? Father would have given the girl her notice right then and there, were she part of his staff.
    “Where should I take her?” he nearly roared. Usually, he was a very patient man. It seemed Danby had stolen his patience from him today , and the lady could not afford for him to dawdle.
    “Lady Matilda is a guest of Lord Teasdale, sir,” the maid finally said, her voice coming out as timid as a half-asleep kitten’s mewl. That was quite a drastic change from the shrew who’d been assaulting him with her lady’s parasol. “He’s rented a house on the Grand Avenue.”
    The Grand Avenue wasn’t far at all, thank heavens. It would be faster by half to just carry her there. “Lead the way,” he grumbled.
    The maid hesitated for a moment, but then she started walking. Thomas fell into step behind her.
    They’d hardly gone ten steps before she whirled around and pointed a finger at his chest. “You’ll be explaining to Lord Teasdale what happened to the parasol, you will. And about why milady took a tumble in the first place.”
    Thomas had no qualms about telling this Lord Teasdale or anyone else who wished to know that he’d tossed the parasol into the ocean. He’d gladly purchase a replacement if need be, but he had no intention of ever allowing a maid or anyone else to bludgeon him with one. But the reason the lady fell? How should he know that? The maid was the one who was responsible for her lady’s wellbeing, and a poor job of it she’d done, too.
    But none of that mattered now. What mattered was getting this Lady Matilda to a bed and a doctor’s care as soon as possible.
    “I’ll tell his lordship whatever needs telling. Now kindly show me to his home.”
    The maid gave him a curt nod and spun around again, mincing along at a more hurried pace than she had previously.
    Saying a silent prayer for patience, Thomas readjusted the lady in his arms while he followed along behind the frustrating maid. Lady Matilda shifted when he did, nestling