She hesitated, not sure and afraid to test. Would that pull at her shoulder too?
Without another word, he held her head at the base of her neck and gently tipped her head back then used her other hand, to pour the water through her hair. “Oh, that feels delightful,” she sighed. She didn’t just mean the water, she also meant his touch. How could a man with such large hands be so dexterous and tender?
* * *
This was hell after all, Blake decided. The sounds she made as he poured water over her head, the way Daisy looked in the bath… She was torturing him. He reminded himself that women like Daisy were a distraction but damn it all to hell if he didn’t crave just such a diversion.
He’d outgrown that, he told himself. Women with fiery spirits burned out. He was a man intent upon one goal. And that wasn’t to bed beautiful women who happened across his path.
But what about ones he needed to rescue from dangerous mud puddles? “I’m going tae pour some on yer face. Hold yer breath now.” He started to send a gentle stream down her forehead and over her nose and cheeks, revealing her creamy pink skin underneath the caking layer of mud. Lower, over the point of her chin and then down the column of her delicate neck. When he reached her collar bone, his body was thrumming with need. Her hands relaxed, slipping down her torso and he caught sight of her round, full breasts and dark pink nipples. A lump clogged his throat.
Suddenly a blanket covered her top, a maid giving him a healthy glare. “My lord, a bath has been prepared fer ye as well. We’ll take over from here.”
He stood, a frown marking his brow. “My clothes. What few I brought are—”
“It’s been taken care of already.” The little redhead made a shooing motion with her hand. “Inside with ye.”
He stood taller, his hands coming to his hips. He didn’t want to leave Lady Daisy. Which seemed odd except for that he was responsible for her injury and he was a man who always righted his wrongs. “I want to speak with the doctor.”
“I don’t think—” she started but Daisy interrupted.
“It’s all right Eliza. He can speak with the doctor after the examination.” Then Daisy looked at him, her blue eyes flashing from the tub. “Go warm yourself, my lord.”
He gave a quick jerk of his chin and allowed another maid to lead him inside. Very quickly he was ushered into a small room off the kitchen, where a valet helped him bathe. The man swept away his dirty clothing and provided him with clean ones, likely Colin’s. They were a bit snug in the shoulders, but otherwise a decent fit.
Dressed, he was led upstairs and ushered into a study, not to see Daisy but to meet the other men attending the meeting. He grimaced. Somehow, he’d completely forgotten his mission here.
Colin stood as he entered. “Laird Abbott, good to see you’ve joined us. How does Daisy fare?”
Blake stood straighter. “The mud has been removed. Last I knew, they were waiting for the doctor.”
“Doctor?” Laird MacFarland’s face tensed. “Did something happen to her?”
He clenched his fist at his side. Much as this meeting was important to him, he’d never be able to concentrate. “The horse hit her shoulder. Would ye mind if we checked on her? I feel responsible and—”
“Oh dear.” The Englishman stood too.
He was the sort of handsome that made Blake’s lip curl in distaste. Slicked hair, almost feminine features in their perfection, thin body, and impeccably cut clothes.
“I have a fond memory of Lady Daisy. I hate to see her hurt.”
A fond memory? What the bloody hell did that mean? He clenched his fists even tighter, but then forced them to relax, realizing jealousy had swelled inside him. Instead of responding, he looked back at Colin. “I’ll make the stop brief and then we can get to work but I want to ken she’s all right.”
“Of course.” Colin nodded then he turned back to the other two men. “Mr. McCreevy. Lord Price. We’ll be back momentarily. In the meantime, refreshments will be served fer yer benefit.” Then he turned back to Blake. “Shall we?”
Blake gave a single nod. “Please.” He’d just make certain that she wasn’t too hurt and then he amended to return to business and forget about little blonde spitfires.
Chapter Four
Daisy lay in bed, feeling both better and worse. The mud had been washed from her body and her hair had been simply braided, a fresh night rail lay against her skin.
The doctor had just left the room and declared her arm to be severely bruised. He’d recommended bedrest for a few days, followed by light activity. At this rate, seeing Lord Price with her face covered in mud would be their one and only interaction.
She scrubbed her face with a single hand, not certain she even cared. He hadn’t remembered her and didn’t even know he’d see her here today. What was more, as the Scot had touched her and held her, she’d forgotten Lord Price existed. Damn. Rose had been right all along.
As if her sister heard Daisy think her name, she shuffled over the to the bed, adjusting the covers. “You’re sighing again.”
“Was I?” Daisy asked, looking toward the window. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I know you’re disappointed after what happened with Lord Price this morning,” her sister said. “I told you not to get your hopes up. The man is a flirt at best and a rake at worst.”
Daisy frowned. “Easy for you to say. You’ve found your one true love. I’m back to being an old maid.”
Rose let out a tinkling laugh. “Stop being so dramatic. You’re young and quite lovely. You can have any man you choose. Even a tall and handsome Scot who
