Page 40 of Loving an Earl
“There was an accident. You don’t remember?”
She watched as his brow furrowed. “No. Why is my head foggy? My body hurts everywhere. It even hurts to have my head on the pillow.”
“Dr. Bailey gave you laudanum for the pain. You were pinned beneath a carriage that had lost a wheel. You have broken your leg in two places and dislocated your shoulder.”
He coughed several times. “Is that all? It feels as though I broke every bone in my body.”
Was he trying to make light of the situation? “Dr. Bailey said you were very lucky not to have internal injuries.”
“Hurrah for me. I need to... you know... use a chamber pot.” He used his good hand and pointed to the noticeable bulge between his thighs.
Heat burned up her neck to her face. He obviously hadn’t noticed Mullens standing at the other side of his bed. “Mrs. Lewis and I will step outside, Mullens.”
They hurried out the door and into the hallway. “It is a very good sign he is awake,” Mrs. Lewis said even though her expression was one of worry.
“I hope so,” Lilly replied.
Mullens came to the door after a moment. “You may come back in, my lady.”
She approached Langford’s bedside. “How do you feel?”
“I’m tired. My eyes don’t want to stay open, which is good because if I’m sleeping, the pain will go away.”
“Sleep,” she whispered. “I’ll watch over you.”
“You don’t...” He didn’t finish. His chest rose and fell in deep, even breaths.
“My lady,” Mullens began. “Go get some rest. Either Mrs. Lewis or I will stay with his lordship. We will not leave him alone for a moment.”
But Lilly couldn’t bring herself to leave. Though Mullins was right—it was silly for all three of them to remain. “I want to stay. You go get some rest and I will send for you if I need anything. I’m sure you will be much needed in the morning.”
After she was alone, she played the head-dropping and twitching awake game. It became tiresome. The bed Langford slept in was large enough for two. If only she could lie down for just a few minutes... But no. She was afraid she would roll over and bump his shoulder or leg. Not to mention what a shock anyone entering the room would get finding the two of them sleeping in the same bed.
No. She would stay on the wooden chair, her behind hurting and her cloak wrapped around her for warmth.
“Lilly?”
The sound of a man calling out her name while she slept puzzled her sleepy mind. Why on earth would a man be in her room? Unless she was dreaming about Henry. But no, that wasn’t his voice. The voice was similar, but it wasn’t Henry. Struggling to break through the fog keeping her tethered in sleep, she managed to breach the mist and open her eyes.
“Langford.” She gasped as the events of the accident played through her mind triggering her concern. She stood from the hard chair, every muscle in her body protesting. “How do you feel?”
“Horrible.”
“Oh dear.” Lilly took the brown vial off the bedside table knowing it was well over four hours since he’d had the laudanum since the sun was poking between the seams in the curtains. “It’s time for laudanum. It will help with the pain.”
“I hate the stuff,” he grumbled.
“Please do as the doctor says and use it until the pain abates.”
“Fine.”
Lilly opened the stopper, poured a small amount onto a teaspoon careful not to spill even a drop. She leaned over Langford. “Open.” Somehow he managed to take the liquid without getting any on him.
“When will the doctor be back? I have some questions for him.”
“Sometime today. Meanwhile, can I get you something? Perhaps some broth or toast?”
He snorted and looked annoyed at her. “I’m injured, but I’m not an invalid. I would love some strong coffee, buttered toast, and jam. Could you put the pillows against the headboard so I may sit up?”
