At the study door, she rapped softly and listened. Nothing.
She knocked her fist more forcefully against the door and waited. Again, no call to enter. Not waiting longer, she pushed the door open and looked into the empty room.
Shutting the door, she limped down the hardwood of the hallway to the front room. Too tired to tear into the mess last night, Alice hoped to have enough energy after her shopping trip to work in here. The books needed to go into the study. Either that, or Niall needed to have a set of bookshelves built for this room. It was something to ask him when she finally found him.
Where was the man hiding? The question rang in her mind as her hand grabbed onto the newel post of the wide set of stairs that led up to the family bedrooms. Raising her good leg first, she coaxed her left leg to follow. One step done. Only ten or so to go. The awkward movement reminded her of Niall’s final words the night before.
“Be sure to add a cane to your list for the store.”
It grated on Alice to use one. She wanted to push her body beyond what the usual cripple could accomplish. That meant no cane. Niall’s dark look as he’d said those words last night seemed to say, “I’ll brook no refusal or excuse.” Alice knew she’d buy the cane today in order to keep her job in this comfortable home.
After all, her employer needed healing. Feeding the body was part and parcel of the process. At least, Nurse Harrow had told her students that, and it did make sense to Alice. But, respect from one’s companion also seemed important to Alice.
“If I want to respect the doctor, I’ll have to buy the blasted cane.” She’d managed three more steps and paused, clutching the oak banister.
“Oh, my! Where did that word come from? A lady doesn’t swear?”
“Does a lady talk to herself?”
The surprise at hearing that deep, teasing voice, along with her quick turn on the steps to see him created the disaster. She’d released the banister to turn when suddenly Alice’s bad leg slipped on the step. In a long, frightening moment, she felt air rush past her face as she flew downward.
In her panic, she heard nothing but the blood beating loudly in her ears. Instinctively Alice put out her arms to brace her body, anticipating falling face first on the hardwood of the foyer.
Arms wrapped around her middle. She sank back against a strong chest as those arms pulled her tightly against Niall’s body. For some odd reason, Alice thought she should be shaking. Maybe out of fear or shock.
She didn’t shake. Instead, Alice sighed with relief. Or maybe contentment at being held. And not like he’d done the day before.
Today, he gripped her to him and gave her a light squeeze periodically. Had he been frightened? It was the only explanation she could think of to explain his behavior.
Alice breathed in deeply and smiled against the vest he wore under his coat. Last night when she’d retrieved his tray, he’d been staring at a crystal glass that held some type of spirits. She’d smelled the odor upon entering the room. Today, he smelled clean and faintly of cedar.
After several long moments, he loosened his arms and pushed away from her. Before the dark anger masked his face, Alice caught a strange look of tenderness in his gaze.
“Why’d you take on those stairs?”
The words almost accused her of trespassing. Anger dripped from each syllable. Curious reaction considering his tenderness only minutes before. What was he fighting against?
Wanting to pacify him, she smiled. It was a weak effort. Still, it was enough to melt away his black frown. She watched his features change to polite inquiry.
“Well, did you need something upstairs? I promise you, I’ve already made my bed.”
Finally, Alice had enough breath after her flight through the air to speak. “Dinner is ready. I wanted to ask if you’d come to the kitchen and eat.”
He nodded and held out a hand, indicating she should precede him into that room. With unsteady steps, Alice headed down the hall to the back of the house. After her first few awkward movements—made worse by her near tumble—she felt a large, warm hand on her elbow. Walking side by side, they moved silently into the kitchen.
The bean soup and fresh bread weren’t any less plain than last night’s meal. Niall didn’t mention that. In fact, he complimented her before wiping his mouth with the napkin and setting it by his bread plate. He’d eaten much more than the previous evening, and it encouraged her as much as his kind words.
“Nicely seasoned. You’re a dab hand in the kitchen.”
The slang was new to Alice. No matter. He’d given her nice words. It was a step in his healing, kind of like breaking down part of a wall in a prison cell.
Niall hadn’t smiled when he complimented her. Even so, now his face grew stormy. His brown eyes blazed almost black in the muted light of the north-facing kitchen.
“I suppose you can’t help but go into that town. We’ll need things.”
Those words ended strangely on a hopeful note. She heard it and realized he wanted her to assure him that the house was fully stocked. The bad blood between him and the townspeople certainly stirred her curiosity.
“I’m not sure what the trouble is with the people of Kilbourne City, Niall. But, no matter, I have a list that needs to be filled.”
He nodded morosely. Moving to a drawer near the door to the hall, he retrieved a man’s leather purse. Opening the small item, he counted out the paper money before handing it to
