The Ice Captain's Daughter Read Free Page A

three.”
    After Sam left, George blew out a long breath. Betsy peered at him.
    “Ye got that look on yer face, Georgie. What’re ye thinkin’?”
    “Seems ter me, little sister, that yer boyfriend has become a liability. If Miss Roring saw his face, the coppers’ll be after him.”
    “What’re ye goin’ on about?”
    “Maybe he should meet with a little accident.”
    Betsy clutched her brother’s arm. “No, Georgie. I love him.”
    He leveled a cool stare at his sister. “Aye? That makes one of us.”

    When Logan woke, the cottage windows were glistening with the light of a clear morning. Miss Roring was leaning over the washbasin, splashing her face with water. He stretched to unwind the kinks in his neck and back.
    “Good morning. How are you feeling, Miss Roring?” he asked.
    Startled by the sound of his voice, she hastened to dab at her damp face with a cloth.
    “Good morning, Mr. Logan. I confess my wound hurts abominably.”
    “I should check your bandage.”
    A flush suffused her face and she shrank back. “I, er, I’m certain that isn’t necessary.”
    “I’ll be the judge of that.”
    “No, really, it’s fine.”
    He lifted an eyebrow. “The wound is in danger of infection. If said infection should take hold, you may lose your extremity and ultimately your life. Now sit down and let me have a look at it.”
    As she hobbled to the bed, he moved over to the washbasin to cleanse his hands. When he turned back to Miss Roring, she’d arranged her skirts to reveal as little of her anatomy as possible. While he unwrapped the bandage, he tried to take her mind off her obvious embarrassment.
    “When I was five, my parents gave a dinner party at Idunn Court. All sorts of important people were invited, including a few dukes, duchesses, and lords. The governess was busy, so I dressed myself in an old sailor suit and went outside to climb trees. When I was called inside to meet our illustrious company, I stood in the center of the room and bowed to everyone, not realizing my sailor suit had split up the seam in back and I’d failed to wear an undergarment.”
    Despite herself, Jillian burst into peals of laughter.
    “You might find it amusing, but the vicar’s wife did not. She fainted into the pudding and caused a dreadful uproar. The vicar thought I’d done it all on purpose, of course, and so never forgave me. Neither did the governess.” Logan rewrapped the bandage, sat back and smiled. “We are done.”
    Jillian promptly smoothed her petticoat and skirt into place. “Well?”
    “The healing process is progressing nicely, but you should stay off your feet to prevent bleeding. The ride to my home is relatively short. We’ll be there before breakfast and I will summon a surgeon to attend you.”
    “You’re very considerate.” She paused. “Was that story true?”
    “Every word. I’m going outside to ready your transportation, Miss Roring. Please don’t move around while I’m gone.”

    Although she was impatient to leave, Jillian forced herself to sit still. A sense of gratitude washed over her. Logan might be a bit wild in his appearance and somewhat melancholy, but he’d shown her a great deal of kindness…particularly with his bedside manner. Oh, this is such a big mess…and it’s my fault. If I hadn’t had my heart set on going to London, nobody would have been shot or inconvenienced . She took a moment to say a prayer for poor George and Betsy’s well-being. She knew Sam only in passing, but found it difficult to believe he’d acted in such a nefarious fashion . I hope he repents of his wickedness.
    Logan ducked his head as he stepped through the doorway, lest he strike the doorframe with his forehead.
    “If you are ready, Miss Roring?”
    She stood in a wobbly fashion, but in the next moment she was lifted into the air by the Logan’s steely strong arms.
    “My heavens!” she gasped. “I believe I can walk a little.”
    “Doctor’s orders.”
    Logan ducked sideways