nurse them if they are closer together. It might help them having nearby companions, as well, instead of being so isolated. Once they are well, they can be relocated to their own room for privacy if they choose.”
“I like that idea,” he said. “Then the parlor maids I’ve asked to be nurses wouldn’t be run so ragged.”
“You need a fulltime doctor. We may have one here near Laurelwood. Dr. Robinson recently arrived from the Continent because his wife was dying. I have heard he doesn’t wish to return to the front and would rather stay with his daughter, who helped nurse her mother during her illness. Our village already has a physician. Dr. Robinson might be willing to come to Sheffield Park. With his battlefield experience, he will know better how to help these wounded veterans, much more than a country doctor who has never seen such devastating injuries.”
“Would he up and leave his grieving daughter?” Rhys asked.
“Miss Robinson is a nurturing soul. I think she is almost twenty years of age. If she came with him, she would prove valuable as a nurse. We should call upon them now and offer them the positions.”
Rhys smiled. “Why not? I like how you aren’t reluctant to act swiftly.”
They returned to his carriage and she greeted Morrison.
“It’s good to see you, Your Grace.”
Dalinda glanced at Rhys. “I have an idea,” she said quietly and turned back to Morrison. “How busy are you at the stables, Mr. Morrison?”
“Not much at all,” he replied frankly. “His lordship hasn’t bought any new horses yet. I help exercise those he does own and I am driving him about some in his carriage.”
“I think you should take over from Callow,” Dalinda declared.
He looked puzzled. “As his lordship’s valet?”
“No, Mr. Morrison. Callow should remain Lord Sheffington’s valet. You would be in charge of the soldiers arriving at Sheffield Park. Because of your army career and injuries, they can relate more to you.” She smiled. “You are also quite the raconteur. I am sure your stories and your way with people would be appreciated and help in the healing process for them. These men need friendship and camaraderie as much as they need for their bodies to heal.”
Morrison’s face lit up. “I would be honored to serve in this capacity, Your Grace.” He glanced to Rhys. “What do you think, my lord?”
“I think my future countess is brilliant.” He slipped his arm about Dalinda’s waist and kissed her temple.
Morrison beamed from ear-to-ear. “I knew coming to see Her Grace would be the right move to make.” He looked to Dalinda. “All his lordship needed was a nudge. I can see he did all the rest on his own.”
“We are going to the local village, Mr. Morrison,” Dalinda said, giving him directions to Dr. Robinson’s cottage. “Let’s hope we find a doctor there for the men.”
Rhys helped her into the carriage and they began making plans. She told him that she had a scullery maid who showed great talent and could come to Sheffield Park as an assistant cook, preparing all the meals for the soldiers and enabling Cook to focus on her usual tasks. They would need to seek an additional washerwoman to lessen the burden on the current one.
He brought their joined hands upward and kissed her fingers. “Already, relief floods me. You are going to make for a wonderful countess, my love.”
The vehicle stopped and Rhys assisted her from the carriage. He knocked on the door and a servant with kind eyes opened it.
“Oh! Your Grace!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were coming. Dr. Robinson didn’t tell me.”
“He didn’t know, Mrs. Nathan.”
It didn’t surprise him that Dalinda would know this servant’s name.
“Please, come in,” the woman said, leading them to the parlor. “I’ll fetch Dr. Robinson at once.”
“If Miss Robinson is available, we would like to speak with her, as well,” Dalinda said.
“Of course, Your Grace.” The servant hurried from the room.
Moments later, both the doctor and his daughter appeared. Dalinda introduced Rhys to them and Miss Robinson invited them to sit.
“Would you care for tea, Your Grace? Lord Sheffington?” she asked.
“No, thank you,” Dalinda said. “We are here to discuss a worthwhile project his lordship has become involved with.” She glanced to him.
Rhys took over, explaining how he had recently come into the earldom and had left his army career behind but still wanted to use his new position to help some of his former men, many of them amputees.
“General Shepherd is sending injured soldiers