“I'm okay,” she says hoarsely, but finds herself thankful for the hands holding her.
Elliot is true to his word. It’s over quickly, but she is not happy to hear his next words. “I want you to leave it open to the air tonight. It will help the new skin to grow quickly. Keep it clean and only wrap it if you need to.”
“Let him give you something for pain,” Dillon insists.
“No, thank you,” she whispers in a hoarse voice, sniffing back tears.
Dillon frowns and looks at Declan for help. He nods and hands London his handkerchief.
“How many wounds does she have?” Declan asks.
“Her leg is not as bad as the hand,” Elliot replies for her.
“Leg?” Matthew asks. “Is that what I heard when you shoved me?”
“Yes.” She hasn't quite found her voice yet, and it comes out strangled. “I'm sorry about that, but I didn't think you could run, Matthew, considering your condition.”
“What were you doing at my workshop?” Declan asks and removes his hands from her shoulders. A chill runs over her body when she hears the anger in his voice.
“Lord Sheridan, now is not the time for this,” Dillon snaps at him.
London grins at his look of surprise at the reprimand and reaches down to remove her shoe. “Let me, London,” Dillon helps remove the stocking on her calf.
She ignores the shocked expression on Declan's face at the sight of her bare leg. Matthew leans forward, blocking his view and smiles when Declan moves around to get a closer look. Her pale leg is bruised beneath the hot pink burns.
“The bruising has improved.” Elliot frowns, “How is it when you put weight on it now?”
“Much better, you’d hardly know it’s there,” she answers.
Matthews snorts. “I doubt that. What in the world hit you?”
“It was flaming pieces of wood. It caught my skirt on fire, knocking me to the ground. It took me a few seconds to remove it, and it burned through the layers.”
“Do you need something for pain?” Elliot asks.
“No, thank you,” she insists again.
“Yes,” Declan and Matthew say at the same time.
London teases softly, “No, you big babies,” she teases. “It’s really, much better now.”
“I would suggest that you stay off your leg, rest and let it heal,” Elliot suggests she go without the tights for a few days and keep the hand clean. “I'll leave pain medication and instructions with your husband, should you change your mind.”
Husband? London sits back in shock.
“You will take London to the country house, Declan, where she can rest and recuperate. I will look after the business and workshop until you return.” Matthew sits back and yawns loudly. “It's all arranged. I had the house opened yesterday, and the staff will be minimal. One cook, one housekeeper, and two maids. I left the train tickets for you at the front desk. This old man is exhausted.”
Declan is silent as he thinks about the house near the ocean. It’s been years since he’s been there. It appears his grandfather had thought of everything.
Elliot and Dillon watch as London tries to put her shoe back on and move away when Declan jumps to help. He offers her a hand to rise and smiles when she pulls away.
“Thank you.”
Dillon walks over, “I took the liberty of packing a trunk for you. You know the one I keep at our brownstone.” She loops and arm through London's and guides her to the door. “You will find all your dresses steamed and a few treats from me, inside.” She grins and nods at the look of surprise on London's face.
“It's not like that, Dillon, and how did you know I would need them?” she asks.
“A little bird told me,” Dillon quips.
“A big bird named Matthew,” Elliot teases from behind.
“What?” London gasps and stares across the suite at the two of them and shakes her head.
“Be happy, love,” Dillon says and squeezes her in tight.
“Thank you both, and I promise to get your money back to you. I'm not looking forward to that conversation.” She sighs and rubs her nose. “I feel strange, not quite myself, and very exposed. I miss the invisibility of the Mouse,” she explains
“You aren’t now, nor have you ever been a mouse!” Dillon says fiercely. “You just need to remember that.”
“Time to retire,” Matthew announces. “This old man needs his rest.”
“Yes, you’ve been quite busy, Grandfather,” Declan says with a laugh.
“You’ve no idea,” he quips. “Young Reagan is going to keep Edmund on his toes,” he laughs and stalks to the door to say goodbye to the Doctor and his wife.
Declan looks at London, and the astonishment on her face has him laughing loudly.
“Lady Sheridan, I warn you now that Matthew may look old, but his mind is as sharp as ever.” He offers his arm to her and smiles when she shakes her head and laughs with him.
Chapter 16
The hotel is oddly quiet as they take the rising room up to the fifth floor. When the doors open, London says, “Goodnight, gentlemen,” and waits for them to exit so she can breathe in peace, but Declan just stares at her.
“You've made this old man very happy, London. I will see you soon,” Matthew hugs her and departs, leaving them alone.
“My room is on the sixth floor,” she explains slowly.
Declan grins, “It was on the sixth floor. Lady Sheridan will not be staying in the maid’s quarters. We will have your things moved in the morning.” He holds out a hand to her and frowns when she shakes her head no.
“We have a contract,” she backs away from him.
“I’m aware of that, London, but you can’t expect to just go back to being the Mouse. My Suite is a
