Page 40 of The Noble Servant

“Wait. Let me see.” She hurried over and examined the small gash. “It’s ceased bleeding, but you need a bandage to protect it.”

“Should you sew it up?”

“Perhaps. Forgive me, but you’ll have to find someone elseto perform that task. The thought of piercing your flesh with a needle makes me feel like I might lose the food in my stomach.”

“What every duke wants—a scar on his face.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have run in here, knowing you were putting yourself in danger.” She walked away and returned with some cloth bandages.

“My chivalrous actions were not appreciated, I can conclude.”

“I did not say I didn’t appreciate it, but ... I did not need your help, and, well, I was surprised you would rush in here to rescue me.”

“You think me selfish and unfeeling, then? That I cannot be concerned about a lady in danger and in need of a protector?”

“I am glad to see how unselfish and self-sacrificing you are, that you are willing to risk your life for mine.”

She was making a jest from the smirk on her lips. He grunted. Truly, it had been foolish. She had not even needed his help, and even if she had, he could not have helped her. He was too busy getting thrashed by the guard’s fists and sword hilt.

His pride had taken an even worse beating. If only he’d had a sword.

She was taking a long time with the bandage as she folded the cloth into a rectangle and finally pressed it against his wound.

He sucked in a breath between his teeth, creating a hissing sound.

“I’m sorry.” She lessened the pressure, then she wrapped another cloth around his head and tied it in place.

Her hands were gentle and soothing.

“There.” She stepped back. “You look as if you’ve just returned from battle, a warrior who won, but only just.”

She was smiling. Her teeth were perfect except for two thatoverlapped each other a bit. But that tiny flaw somehow made her more endearing.

The blows had addled his brain, apparently. But she was pretty. He had always thought so. Still, she didn’t seem to like him very much, and he had no time for errors in judgment. One had already cost him a beating. And admiring her beauty was only one step away from the most unwise and costly mistake he could make—falling in love.

“Thank you for the bandage.” He could at least be courteous. Magdalen might be his only ally, and now that she was in the castle, she could be an even bigger help to him.

Why had he not thought of that before?

Magdalen was starting to clean up the blood from the floor.

“Listen. I need your help. Now that you’re in the castle, you can help me prove that I am the duke.”

“What do you mean?”

“Something is hidden in the castle that will prove my identity. If I can recover it—” But the thought of asking her to risk her life for him ... Perhaps there was another way, so she was not putting herself in danger looking for the things he needed.

“Do you think you could help me get a job working inside the castle?”

“Do you not think that is dangerous? If your cousin or your uncle should see you—”

“With my beard, I don’t think they will recognize me. Besides, I will keep my head down when they are around, and they rarely pay attention to servants.”

It was a huge risk, but she did not have to know that.

“Very well. I will do what I can.”

He stood, thinking to help her clean the floor, but the roomstarted spinning, and the pain in his ribs made him gasp and bend over.