Max paused a moment to regard the bedraggled woman he had just placed in his sister’s bed. Her eyes were shuttered closed. Thick dark lashes brushed the tops of her cheekbones in their resting state. Long blonde hair framed her face and covered her shoulders. Even wet, the color reminded him of sunshine and yellow roses. She was beautiful. His traitorous arms ached to hold her, to comfort her, but he would not.
She is married, he reminded himself. Max’s gaze held her sleeping form a moment longer before he again noticed the angry red abrasions on her wrists. His body stiffened in anger. Mother is right. I need time to regroup my thoughts.
“Thank you, Mother.” He stopped just before leaving the room and turned back. “The dog…” He paused and looked at the white bundle of fur curled up next to Maggie. “I must allow Shep to stay here with her. Please make sure the doctor tries to accommodate. She keeps reaching for him. I fear that whatever has transpired, Shep may be Meg’s only witness and her biggest comfort.”
Chapter 2
Maggie bore the prodding and heard the voices. Her aching body felt heavy and cried out in pain. Someone was trying to unclothe her, and Shep was not having it.
“Grrrrrrr...” She could hear her tiny dog fending off whoever was in the room with her.
“Maggie. Can you hear me, my dear?” The gentle warmth of soft hands caressed her cheeks, and she smelled rosewater.
“I will help you, Gertie. Let us be careful.” The voice was familiar.
“We need to get your wet things off, milady.” A high-pitched young woman’s voice sounded above her. She did not recognize it.
“Grrrrrrr…”
“Yes, we do, but let us wait. The doctor has not yet arrived. Give her dog a bit more time to calm down. My son is most determined the dog stays with Maggie…er…Lady Tipton.”
Maggie could hear everything around her, and as much as she wanted to say something, she could not. Her head hurt so much, especially trying to think. But she could not help it. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was being in the rain with Shep and seeing a dark rider coming toward her from the darkness. There was no more strength to move. She saw his face and she recalled that she had known him; now she needed to feel comforted by his voice once again. Strange. She wracked her mind and could not grasp her last thought—his identity.
Her thoughts jumbled at a woman’s words.
“Milady, the doctor has arrived.”
“Please send for Lord Worsley.”
That voice…I know it.
“Yes, milady.”
Lord Worsley? Max? Max is here? I have to be dreaming. Maggie struggled to open her eyes and only felt them flutter under the weight of her lids. No matter how she tried, fatigue overwhelmed her efforts. She moved her hand, reaching until she felt Shep’s warm body next to her. He licked her hand.
Where am I? Thinking hurts. Hushed voices filled the surrounding room. She tried to listen, but the fatigue overcame her until she recognized a velvety male voice. Max…
Was she at Lord Worsley’s house? If that were true, she and Shep were safe. She could breathe, but for how long?
Maggie was not sure anyone could help her now. She should have left home before Fergus returned. Now she would never have her life back. She thought about Lilly, and pain gripped her heart. She was no longer certain she cared.
Her dog’s kisses penetrated her thoughts. He was her responsibility. She cared about his life and hers. She would persist.
Heavy footsteps approached, then the mattress sank as someone sat next to her and picked up her hand. The scent of sandalwood told her it was Max. She breathed deeply, craving all that he offered. Her husband had only ever smelled like cheap perfume and cigars, a testament to what he spent his time doing. But Max always smelled like the outdoors and sandalwood. Maggie had thought she would never smell that again. As a large hand held hers, another moved a wet cloth over her brow.
“Meg…er…Lady Tipton?” A deep voice gained her attention.
Her head throbbed with the effort to see Max. She opened her eyes. He was just as handsome as he was the last time she had seen him.
Fergus had made sure she knew Max had looked for her, jeering with his tobacco-yellowed and misshaped teeth about how she would never see him again. Her husband had said she now belonged to him alone, and he kept her away from London, isolated in his country home. He never allowed her to leave without an escort. His toadies had watched every move she made and reported back to him about everyone she spoke with and what she did.
“The doctor has arrived,” Lady Worsley’s voice intruded.
“Grrrrr…” Shep gave a throaty reaction, forcing Maggie to speak.
“Shhhh. Easy, Shep…they mean no harm.” Maggie’s hoarse voice barely registered even to herself.
“Meg.” Max leaned down and looked into her eyes. “We need to step outside with Shep or the doctor cannot examine you.”
“Aye. I will not keep ye waiting a moment longer than necessary.” Another male voice, deeper than Max’s sounded from behind him.
Maggie’s eyes fluttered again. She forced them open them and looked around.
“Can you see us, Meg?” Max leaned over her and looked into her eyes. It was strange to see Shep letting anyone so near her.
She nodded. Shep nudged her. “I will be all right, boy.” Her voice was strained, and she whispered as loudly as she could. Maggie touched her dog’s face, and he scampered off the bed and stood next to Max. She had not been called Meg in three years. A faintly familiar feeling fluttered in her stomach.
“We will be just outside the door. Perth, let me know if you require anything.” Max turned to leave the room, carrying Shep in his arms.
“Aye. Thank ye, Lord Worsley.” The man’s voice had a Scottish burr. “Before you leave, could ye have
