from him again.
He knew Coral would be coming soon. He had arranged for his valet to come early in the morning and again mid-afternoon. His presence had frightened Anna before and Dez hoped that wouldn’t occur again. He needed to speak to the servant and tell him what to share with Lord Shelton.
Anna began stirring and he waited for her eyes to open. When they did, her gaze immediately rose to his face and she smiled. Her sky-blue eyes were clear. It was obvious she knew exactly where she was.
Dez kissed her brow and rested his cheek against it a moment before pulling away.
“Do you feel well rested?” he asked, not mentioning her previously awakening from a nightmare.
She nodded.
“My valet, Coral, will be here soon. He will bring us something to eat. Would you like to rise and refresh yourself? Brush your hair? Change your gown since it has wrinkled some while you slumbered?”
“No,” she whispered, smoothing the skirt.
He could tell she liked being in the dress. He got out of bed and offered his hand, assisting her to her feet and leading her into the other room to the settee.
“Coral is supposed to go see your cousin this afternoon and bring him news of you. Tom very much wanted you to come back to Shelton Park but I persuaded him that you would be better off in my care.”
She took his hand and kissed it, her gesture moving him.
“I know Jessa will also be eager to see you.”
Anna smiled at the mention of her sister.
Dez heard the approaching sound of the horse’s hooves clopping along and said, “Coral is here.” He squeezed her hand. “Let me go greet him.”
Going to the door, he opened it and went outside as the valet steered the horse and cart and brought them to a stop.
“Good afternoon, my lord,” Coral called. “How does Miss Browning fare?”
“Remarkably well,” he replied. “Let me help you carry things in.”
They came inside. Anna sat alert, her eyes large.
To his credit, Coral set down the box on the table and went to her and bowed. “Good afternoon, my lady,” he said, a blush rising on his cheeks like a schoolboy.
Dez went to stand by Anna, his hand on her back.
She nodded politely and gave him a smile.
“You are looking very well, my lady. I know Lord Torrington is happy because of that.”
Again, she smiled.
“You can tell Lord Shelton that his cousin is feeling remarkably well. She is eating and sleeping and has been able to speak briefly. From my experience, she should regain use of her voice by tomorrow.”
“I will let the viscount know, my lord. What if his lordship asks about visiting Miss Browning?”
He looked to Anna. “I think tomorrow might be a bit too soon. Why don’t we say the day after?”
She nodded in agreement.
“Tell Lord Shelton that when you bring your report tomorrow that you will give him a time for him to call upon his cousin.”
Anna tugged on his hand and sputtered, “Jessa?”
“Yes, of course.” Dez looked to Coral. “Be sure to invite the other Miss Browning. For now, I would like you to help me haul more water from the lake.”
“Certainly, my lord.”
He took the two buckets from the cottage while Coral retrieved two from the ones he had brought in the cart. They made several trips and then Coral wished him well.
“Go straight to Shelton now,” he urged. “I know the viscount is eager for news of his cousin.”
After Coral left, they went through the same process as yesterday, applying the various solutions to Anna’s hair and combing through it. He only found a few nits, which pleased him. He prepared bath water for her and helped unfasten the back of her gown. Before she could pull it off, he stopped her.
“You are much better today. I have left the cake of soap and a bath sheet for you. Can you wash your own hair?”
Disappointment crossed her face but she nodded.
“Then I will leave and give you privacy. I will be just outside if you need me.”
Dez left and went to the chair sitting in the middle of the clearing, where he had Anna sit while he applied the treatments to her hair. He moved it back and placed it just outside the door to the cottage. He had left the door open so could he reach her quickly if needed. As he sat, he heard the water splashing, reminding him of when they would swim in the lake during summer. Anna,