The Doctor and the Libertine - Callie Hutton Page 0,20

her dedication to her patients and even her chastising him when he made inappropriate remarks.

She was truly a unique woman, very different from any he’d met before in his life. She cared not for fancy things, and beautiful clothes. He knew if he offered her a piece of expensive jewelry in thanks for taking care of him, she would likely throw it back in his face. Or sell it to buy supplies for the infirmary.

So, with the proverbial tail between his legs, he’d spruced up that morning—much to Randolph’s relief since it had been days since he cared what he wore—and took his carriage to the infirmary. On the way there he hit on the brilliant idea of telling Rayne he was merely there to check her books to make sure she was not messing up all the work he’d done.

Instead, he’d walked into total chaos with Rayne looking as though she was not only overwhelmed, but frightened. His strong, courageous Rayne was scared!

My strong courageous Rayne?

Best to put that statement to rest. She would no more be his than the ruffian who’d brought the street urchin in.

All those thoughts ran through his mind as he examined scrapes, cleaned cuts, and limped from bed to bed to assist the other women, who, simply by nature knew more about patient care than he ever would.

Mrs. Westbrooke stiffened when he approached her as she was attempting to turn a patient over, and he offered to help. As much as he wanted to assure her that he was harmless and would never, ever speak badly about her again, this was not the time or place to do that.

“May I help? I’m a tad stronger than you.” Although he smiled, she did not return the gesture, but stepped back for him to turn the patient over.

“I can take over now,” she said. He moved away and thought he heard her mumble “thank you.” He was grateful for that.

The five of them continued to work diligently, and within a few hours, which sped by, they had everyone patched up and resting comfortably. However, the room looked like a battlefield and smelled just as bad.

Wadded up cloths drenched in blood were piled in a corner. Water had splashed in different places on the floor, forcing them to walk around puddles, lest they slip and add to the patient count. One young child had vomited in a bucket. All the injured had been given a tisane to help them sleep, and notes had gone out to family members letting them know where their loved ones were.

Which meant it would be some time before Rayne would be able to get any rest with family members arriving to see the injured.

Rayne stretched, causing his eyes to go directly to her lovely breasts, and then he quickly looked away, lest any of the women noticed. Although she looked a mess, with her hair hanging down, her face smeared with what he didn’t care to know, and tired eyes, she looked beautiful to him.

The other women appeared just as worn out. He was amazed that these ladies who had maids and other servants to do their work had volunteered to come and help. Although, that was apparently what he’d assumed would happen when he sent word to Lady Berkshire.

“Rayne, do not trouble yourself with this mess. I will send for two of my maids to come and clean up.” Mrs. Westbrooke grinned. “I will pay them a little extra.”

Rayne shook her head. “No. I will pay them.”

“You can’t afford it,” Edwin blurted out and then wanted to pull the words back.

Time to take his foot out of his mouth. “Pardon me, Dr. Stevens, but since I’ve been working on your books, I am most likely more familiar with your finances than you are.”

Lady Pamela looked over at Rayne. “Lord Sterling’s been doing your books?” The woman couldn’t look more aghast if Edwin tore off his clothes and began racing around the room throwing daisies. No doubt the others felt the same, and he wished he hadn’t spoken, or hadn’t called attention to himself.

“Um, yes,” Rayne said. “When he was a patient here, he helped me with a few things.”

In unison, all four women turned their bodies and looked in his direction. He felt like a fish in a water tank and wondered how foolish it would look if he grabbed his cane—and he had no idea where it was—and hobbled from the room like a scolded child.

“In any event,” Rayne continued,