Wellchester Triplets Series: A Historical Regency Romance Box Set Page 3

  She sat back to wait and soon drifted off to sleep in the lazy heat from the fireplace. She awakened with a start to see it was almost nightfall. She checked her patient, and he was still unresponsive.

  Johanna knew she must hurry home or risk a search party and certain discovery. She looked around and realized that after all her procedures, there would be little doubt people would assume the worst had transpired and she would be ruined for life.

  She pulled the quilt up beneath his chin and checked his forehead one last time. He was very hot. She had to leave. With a heavy conscience and a fair amount of fear of being discovered, she crept outside and hurried back to the cottage, sliding in the back door as if she’d been outside feeding chickens.

  Chapter 6

  Johanna lay upon her bed, her mind whirling. It’s a fine mess I’ve gotten myself into, she thought to herself. She could hear the movements and gentle snoring of her family from the rooms about her. She knew if her father had come across the soldier, he would have thrown him over the back of his own horse and led him to town, turning him over to the authorities. Both her brother and her sister would have immediately run for Ira.

  It was the soldier’s good fortune that it had been she, Johanna, who found him and there was still no guarantee that this would not all explode in their faces. She was not concerned for herself, but did feel bad for having placed her family in this position. Certainly, as a soldier in the King’s Army, the man who huddled at that very moment in the Shepherd’s Nest understood the hazards of that military life. It was not uncommon to be killed for your country. As a matter of fact, Johanna could not absolutely promise that it would not still happen.

  She debated the best way to get the man the medical care that she could not provide. She had spent much of her youth, combing the forests and had, over time learned that certain plants could have medicinal effects, but she was by no means skilled at this. She supposed that her greatest value to him at that moment was to provide him with shelter, food and drink. She blushed as she thought of having removed his jacket. Although she saw them with fear, his eyes were a deep blue and his hair the color of newly mown hay. She’d had the impression of power and authority. Yes, there was no doubt there were explanations to be had.

  For that matter. She had no idea why he was even in their small village. True, they were near Scotland, a fiery people who were highly independent. She had no idea what was transpiring in the world beyond her village. For all she knew they may be at war with Scotland. That’s when it occurred to her that she may be aiding the enemy. It was possible that the man was a Scott who had stolen a British uniform to better penetrate the King’s forces. She rolled from side to side, caught in a maelstrom of indecision. What if he was a very important soldier who belonged to England’s Army; perhaps even nobility? Could she turn her back on him?

  That was when a plan began to materialize in her mind. She could enter as quietly and invisibly as she had entered. Why hadn’t she thought of that before? She considered it a while longer and then, having reached a solution, managed to turn over and find sleep.

  Chapter 7

  Johanna awakened the next morning before anyone in her family. She was determined to extract herself, as well as her family, from this difficult situation. She pilfered a bit of bread and some cheese from her mother’s kitchen before she set off. The dew lay heavily over the fields and there was a restlessness from the smithy where the day’s work awaited on hoof.

  She stole down the path toward Shepherd’s Nest, keeping a careful eye about in case there were others in pursuit of the soldier. As she reached the hut, she picked up the wooden bucket and filled it with cool, clean stream water. There was no smoke exiting the chimney and she realized suddenly her error in judgment the evening before. She had, in essence, run up the flag of discovery. The soldier’s horse was still tied up nearby, and she untied him briefly and led him to the stream so that he could drink. Re-securing him, she pushed aside the canvas flap over the hot doorway and peeked inside. Just as she had hoped, the soldier was still there and either sleeping or had not yet regained consciousness. She entered quietly, setting down the bucket of water and putting the bread and cheese next to it.

  She hazarded a gentle palm onto the man’s head and found it to be cool. Luckily, he was strong and young and would most likely survive his ordeal. She added a few more chunks of wood to the side of the fireplace. She would not fuel it yet, but leave it to the soldier to make that decision.

  Her plan was a simple one. She wagered that the man, as ill as he had been the previous day, would not remember her face. To him, she was simply a woman with a woolen shawl over her head. She had brought enough food and water to sustain him for several days, and by that time, she knew he would be well enough to once again travel. Thus, her plan was to leave as quietly as she has come, leaving his fate, to the hands of time and his own inner strength. She would be an unknown to him, and it mattered not who he thought had helped him. He would simply leave, and her problem would be solved. She looked around one last time and turned to leave the hut.

  “Who are you?” came a deep voice, although it still rumbled from his chest like the sound of a hundred hoofs coming over the hills. Johanna was startled, and her face spun around, causing her hood to fall back off her head.

  “No one,” she whispered furiously, willing it to be true.

  “That is not true. I see a young maiden before me and I see that she is trying to leave without being discovered. I happen to believe she is the same young maiden who dragged me into this shelter and cared for my wound,” he said pointing to her stitches in the flesh of his chest.

  She shook her head furiously. “No, it was not me. I was simply curious when I came upon this place.”

  “Oh, come now, mysterious maiden. Someone of your quality would not venture into an unknown hut, especially if a man in soldier’s garb were lying inside. Such a woman, would most certainly have turned and run for home.”

  She found herself unsure what to say next. “Please? Let me leave and I will tell no one you are here.”

  “Just trust you?” He frowned, as though considering her request. “Am I to believe that if I allow you to leave you will never speak of this again?”

  Johanna nodded furiously. “I ask that you give me that in return for having saved your life. I wish to go,” she said suddenly and sprang outside the hut. She had only gotten a few feet when a steely arm grabbed her from behind.

  “Stop! Put me down! I will scream!”

  “I think not. As a matter of fact, I think you have stolen out of your home before the sun fully rose specifically to make sure that you would not be caught.” He looked up to the sky, his hand covering his eyes against the rising glare. “Indeed, I would guess that the chickens are just now beginning to stir and that perhaps there is a kettle over your fire preparing the morning’s tea.”

  How could he know this? It’s as if he has been watching me. Was that even be possible?

  “Fear not. I will do you no harm. For you, young maiden, have indeed saved my life and I am grateful. Despite that, I would do you no harm. Otherwise, for I am a soldier who follows his king. I have a duty yet to be fulfilled. He looked around and spotted his horse tied to the tree. “Ah, Mercury, you are still with me.”

  “I watered him, he is fine,” she said quietly. “That is a fine horse you have there,” hoping he would look at her again that she might renew the impression of blue eyes and power. Seeing him now, and how tall he was, she was amazed that she’d been able to maneuver his body so easily.

  “You have a kinship to horse flesh? he queried.

  “Some,” was all she would say.

  “But I guess it is fortunate for both Mercury and myself to have landed in your soft lap.”

  Johanna blushed furiously, and she shook her arm free. “I’m not afraid of you,” she informed him. “Do what you will, do it now or let me go.”

  “Not so fast.”

  “What is it you req
uire of me? You will be ready to ride in a few day’s time and there is food and water to keep you until then. Unless I miss my mark, you most likely have some foodstuffs of your own in your saddle.”

  “Again, I am in your debt and curious to learn how you come to have such knowledge of horsemanship? Few maidens of your kind have ever come closer to a horse than to climb in its carriage.”

  Johanna laughed, a musical sound in the dark green overgrown forest that hugged them. “You think very little of women,” she said, pushing his arrogant words back into his face.

  “I have sisters. Young maidens are not an unfamiliar commodity.”

  Johanna nodded. “Very well, then you will understand when I say you must let me go now. I have risked everything to help you, and it is your responsibility to be certain that I am returned unharmed.” They both knew what she meant by the term quote unharmed. He instantly took a step backward. Indeed, the maiden was correct. It would not be a gracious thank you if he were to expose her reputation to anything that may sully it. It was the least he could do.

  “Then be on your way, young maiden. But, before you go, may I know your first name?”

  She stopped, contemplating the value of her response. At last, she decided it would do her no harm to tell him. “It’s Johanna.”

  With those words. She spun about on her heel and started down the forest path. From behind her, she heard him call out in a low voice.

  “Come back to see me, Johanna, I swear you will come to no harm, but you cannot disappear like a fairy into the mist.” Johanna heard this and her memory was filled with his visage. Her heart began to hammer. He was indeed a handsome man, tall beyond that of her father and his arms were well-muscled. It had not escaped her as she had attended to his wound the day before how powerfully muscled his thighs were from the many hours spent in the saddle. She speculated who he was. What was his name? She knew he had sisters. She hurried along the path, arriving back at the cottage just as her father emerged from the barn, a tall black steed’s lead in his sooty hand.

  “And where have you been, Daughter?” he asked her.

  “Just for a walk, Father. You know I often find it pleasurable to walk in the early morning while it is yet quiet. The forest awakens on its own, you know. Like a sleeping giant, the sun commands it to rise. Yesterday’s storm left much damage, and it became necessary for me to clear some small limbs from my path.” She held out her dirty hands in proof. “I wanted to be sure there were no injured animals.”

  Ira looked doubtful at her rationale. “I believe the animals of the forest know enough to seek cover when a storm rails. Perhaps it is they who should warn you?” He signed and then nodded. “You should be more cautious, Johanna. The woods are not a safe place for a young woman alone. Not only could you fall and get hurt, but you may run across strangers who could mean you harm. When you were a young child, I should have put an end to it, but I’ve always trusted in your instincts and felt should you see someone, you would scramble up a tree and hide. But now you are a young woman, with long skirts that would inhibit your climbing a tree. I would prefer that you stay within sight of the cottage.”

  Johanna immediately responded. “Father, you worry too much. I know these woods as well as my own bedroom, and I am safe as can be. Besides, I stay upon the path and should you ever need me, you need simply follow it to find me.”

  Ira glowered at her words. “That is, assuming that someone has not spirited you away.”

  Johanna dropped the conversation. There was no point in antagonizing her father. In a strange way, it was almost as if he had been watching her, and knew what she had been up to.

  Chapter 8

  “Where were you this morning?” Richard asked her, his voice addressing her from the head of the stairs. He was immaculately addressed and his tone suggested that her response was not optional.

  “In the forest,” Johanna said in passing as she headed to her room.

  “Doing what?”

  “I’ve already been over this with Father,” she said impatiently.

  “As your brother, it falls to me to protect you. I’ll not have you traipsing about alone. There is no telling the trouble you’ll uncover.”

  “Why now more than at any other time? I’ve always loved to wander the forest.”

  “Have you not taken note of the changes in you, Johanna? You are a young woman of… well, shall we say… marriageable age.”

  “What you mean to say is that I no longer belong to myself.” Johanna disliked it strongly when her bother interfered in her personal life. She was the eldest and protected by her father.

  “Father will not always be around to protect you,” Richard countered as if reading her mind.

  “Richard! What a horrible thing to say!”

  “Well… well… it’s true.”

  “But to wish your father dead and buried?” She was aghast at his impudence and disrespect. His desire for power was overriding his love for his own family.

  “Hmph!” uttered Richard and disappeared down the stairs. She heard the door slam and wished him good riddance.

  She knew what he said was true, however. Her father’s job did involve an elevated amount of danger and if such were to happen, and her unmarried, Richard would become her guardian. The idea was unthinkable.

  Johanna opened the narrow wardrobe where she and her sister kept their gowns. Idly, she pawed through them, deciding which was her most attractive. Richard was right about one thing, however. She was becoming more aware of men and right now, the one she was most aware of lay at Shepherd’s Nest, an invitation to return having recently left his lips.

  “What are you doing?”

  Johanna whirled around to see her sister, Melody standing in the doorway.

  Johanna turned back and said casually over her shoulder. “Oh, just going through my gowns. Don’t worry, I’m not touching yours.”

  Melody was recognized as the one who had taken the most after their mother with her seamstress capabilities. She made her own clothes, and they always carried a flair that exceeded anything that Johanna owned.

  “I would be willing to trade one of mine for one of yours if you add something in to make up the difference?”

  At first, Johanna thought to play ignorant, but that would not get her any closer to her goal. She gave up pretense and said, “I’d love to have your blue print with the ribbon bodice. What would you have of mine?”

  Melody came around the foot of the bed, her eyes on the wardrobe and her chin held in her hand. Johanna tensed somewhat – Melody was a business woman at heart.

  “I’ll take the moss green with the lace cuffs,” she bargained, making Johanna frown as the gown in question was definitely her favorite. She realized, however, that if she agreed to the trade two days hence, she could wear her green first and then give it to Melody, wearing the newer blue print afterward.

  “You have a deal!” she responded enthusiastically.

  “Not so fast, sister, dear,” Melody said, snatching the blue print out of the wardrobe and out of Johanna’s eager reach. “I said there would need to be more.”

  “What else?” Johanna snapped, irritated.

  “You will do my chores as well as your own for the next month.” Melody’s face held a look of satisfaction.

  “An entire month?” shrieked Johanna. She felt a stormy anger building inside, but Melody had placed her in an unfortunately inconvenient situation. She couldn’t bargain from a position of need. “Very well,” Johanna agreed, her head tossing her luxurious hair back. “We’ll trade this weekend,” she determined.

  “Why then? Why not right now?” Melody was suspicious.

  Johanna had to think quickly. “I will launder it for you first,” she offered. Melody’s brows rose, but she come not think of any other reason or subterfuge, so she agreed.

  “Very well. My gown is already clean,” Johanna nodded, wishing that Melody would leave.

  “Girls?” Ira was calling from the kitchen. “C
ome down here. I wish to talk with you.”

  Melody glanced at Johanna, searching for some clue as to what their father wanted. Johanna shrugged, both girls arose and descended the staircase in a ladylike manner. Ira watched and motioned to the bench at the kitchen table. “Sit down, please.”

  Sylvia was already seated at the table, as was Richard. Sylvia was seated demurely, looking down at the table top while Richard was erect and superior looking, as though he already knew what was up.

  “I’ve called you together to let you know that your mother and I will be travelling to Stonebrook for a fortnight. We’ve received word that your great-uncle, Edward, is doing poorly and has taken a turn for the worse. We are going to pay our respects and see if we might spell your great-aunt Ethel with the burden of caring for him for a few days. Now, this will be the first time we’ve left the three of you alone, but I know you are all quite competent and I’ve devised a list of responsibilities for you to share.”

  At this, Johanna glanced at Melody whose eyes were twinkling. Had Melody known this was coming? Johanna burned with displeasure, but she could not show it lest Ira pick up on something and begin asking questions Johanna preferred unasked.

  “Richard, naturally your job is to tend to the business and the work out of doors. Melody, you are to work with your mother’s clients, all of them, to complete any standing orders and take in the new. Johanna, you are to tend to the house, the laundry, and the cooking. Any questions?”

  Johanna gasped. There was no way she could tend to the house and the business and still have time to…