The Heart's Companion - By Holly Newman Page 0,13

one’s priorities change," the earl said dryly. "But I do not wish to talk of these things. I wish to tell you how I imposed a punishment on myself for failure to listen to my father, tutor, gamesmen, and grooms. One day I, too, decided to climb one of those big fruit trees in the orchard. Like you, Edward, I climbed as high as I was able, and then beyond that. And, like you, too, I became stuck. Unfortunately, I did not have anyone to help me down. I was forced to free myself, and the result was my punishment. I fell."

"From way up there?" Edward squeaked.

"What happened?" Bertram demanded.

"I broke my arm. I was lucky I didn’t do more damage, though I confess I felt as if I had. For what seemed like a long while, I lay on the ground under that tree, waiting for someone to come help me. But no one knew where I was. Finally I was forced to get to my feet and return home, cradling my arm as best I could. A hue and cry was raised, and the doctor was sent for to set the bone. Unfortunately, he was away."

"That was luck," claimed Bertram, nodding his head knowingly.

Jane frowned at Bertram, but the earl merely laughed. "Bad luck, I’d say. My arm was broken and the bone had to be set. By the time it was decided to proceed without the doctor, my entire arm was swollen and painful to the slightest touch. The only person who had any experience with broken bones was Wilcox, the head groom. He plied me with liquor, which at my age I thought a great treat, and then had some of the other men from the estate hold me down while he pulled the arm straight to line up the bones. Then he splinted it tightly."

"Were your parents away, like ours?" Edward asked.

"My father was seldom at Royceland Hall. Mother went visiting so she wouldn’t have to hear my screams."

Jane pursed her lips at the wealth of emotions evoked in that last sentence. Bells clanged in her head, warning her that there were hidden, untold depths to the earl that might impinge upon the rumors that so freely circulated about him. She found herself leaning forward in her chair, hanging on to every word of his recital.

"Despite Wilcox’s rough methods," Lord Royce continued lightly, a rueful smile curving his thin lips, "he did a good job of setting the bone. Even impressed the doctor when he saw me later. Breaking a bone was not, however, an experience I wished to repeat, then or now."

Edward shuddered slightly as he sat staring at his own arms. "I don’t think I like tree climbing anymore," he said vehemently.

The earl laughed. "You would have been fine had you not climbed so high. The trick to enjoying life and surviving is becoming aware of your own limitations. Unfortunately, that is often easier to tell someone than to do, as I know full well."

"If you say so."

"I think it’s all a hum. He’s just telling us what he thinks Aunt Jane wants us to hear," declared Bertram, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest, trying to look worldly-wise at eight.

"I beg your pardon," Lord Royce said coolly. "I just met your aunt today. Why would I do that?"

Bertram looked at him in disgusted. "Because you’re sweet on her. All gentlemen are sweet on her. That’s what I heard her and Aunt Elsbeth saying when they came here."

"Bertram!" admonished Lady Elsbeth, coloring almost as pink as Jane.

Laughter danced in Lord Royce’s eyes, though he maintained an impassive expression. "I see your point, but I beg you will take a moment to reflect. I am older than she and nearly without a feather to fly with, certainly not eligible to join her long list of suitors. And truthfully, you know," he said, his voice dropping conspiratorially, "she looks at me like one of my old maiden aunts used to do, like I am some multi-legged, ugly creature that crawled out from under a rock. No humor at all."

"My lord, that is unjust!"

"See how she cuts up all stiff and cold? I’ll wager she doesn’t talk to you like that. "

The boys laughed, delighted to be treated as equals. Outrage kept Jane silent, though her light green eyes shimmered with anger.

Lady Elsbeth raised a lace-edged handkerchief to her lips to hide a smile. "Bertram, Edward, if you’re finished with your berries, I suggest