He thought longingly of the bed he’d left behind at his parents’ house.
He was rarely a fool, but today he had been one. He should never have left London in his weakened state.
“Of course. Come this way, sir.”
“F-food, and a hot b-beverage too,” Daniel managed to get out as the man hurried around the desk. Clearly he could hear the desperation in his voice.
“Take the stairs, sir, third door on the left.” He handed over a key. “I’ll see to your meal at once.”
He nodded, as words were beyond him now, then clamped his teeth together to stop them chattering. Suddenly he just wanted to sleep. Get under the blankets and fall into a deep slumber. His limbs felt heavy, and each step was an effort.
Climbing the steps, he concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Reaching the top, he made his way left, counting doors. Before he could reach his, another opened and out stepped a woman.
“’S-scuse me,” he slurred, trying to navigate around her. The effort was great, but he knew that a warm bed was close, so he must achieve it.
“Daniel?”
Lifting his head seemed a herculean effort, but he managed it for her.
“Abby,” Daniel sighed, slumping forward into her arms.
“Dimity, Gabe!”
He had a vague memory of someone lifting him. The sound of loud voices, some male, others female, one definitely his Abby. Daniel sighed as someone tugged his boots off. He forced up a heavy lid and saw Lord Raine. He shut it again.
“It is no pleasure for me either, Dillinger, and yet I must get you warm or you shall surely perish.”
“Ch-charming,” he managed to stammer.
“He is chilled through and wet. It will cause him to suffer an illness if we do not make haste to get him warm,” Abby said. Clearly he was the him concerned but as everything was a bit hazy now, he couldn’t form a coherent reply.
“A bath must be drawn at once, and the fire lit. Heat a bed warmer also.”
“And brandy, bring plenty of that,” a male voice demanded, and Daniel would be sure to thank him, even if it was the earl, when he could.
“Leave now, Abby, as I will have to remove his clothing before we throw him in the bath.”
“You are not throwing him anywhere, Gabe.”
“Simply a term, sister. Now leave.”
He listened through a haze of fatigue as the discussion took place around him.
“Oh, for goodness sake. Come here behind the screen, Abby, and let your arrogant brother tend to Daniel.” A new voice entered the fray.
“I am not arrogant.” This from the Earl of Raine.
“Oh, please, the word was created with you in mind.”
An excellent comeback, Daniel thought in that odd detached way you got when you were drifting off to sleep.
“Stop talking and start moving. Go behind the bloody screen!”
There was a shuffling sound and then his damp clothes were being removed. Daniel struggled to help.
“Leave it, I will do it. You are simply hindering me.” Daniel’s hands were forced down to his sides. “Devilishly hard to get those buttons through the holes when they are wet,” Raine gritted out.
He should have been humiliated, but in fact didn’t give a fig, as he had little energy and the prospect of getting out of his sodden garments was a good one.
After that, Daniel had vague impressions of what was going on, and then he was urged to his feet and lowered into the blissful heat of a bath.
“Ouch!”
“That’ll hurt like the devil, starting with his toes when they thaw out,” a woman’s voice said from somewhere. Not Abby’s. Daniel tried to locate the owner, but the effort was too great, so he simply closed his eyes and let the heat warm his body.
“Oh God, I suppose I have to wash him too.”
“N-no,” Daniel managed to get out.
“It’s not like you haven’t cared for one of your brothers occasionally. Just think of him in that manner,” the voice that was not Abby said.
“I would be extremely grateful, madam, if you would simply shut your mouth!”
A cloth was passed over his body, and Daniel felt his shivers slowly ease. Warmth seeped into him, and he sighed.
“Th-thank you.”
There was no reply.
“Right, let’s get you out and into bed. Did you find anything in his bag?”
“There is a nightshirt on the bed.”
“Excellent. Go and see about his meal, both of you, and a warming pan.”
Daniel heard muttering and then silence.
“Women,” Lord Raine muttered. “They are sent to try us, Dillinger.”