Blood, Body and Mind by Kathi S. Barton Page B

mirror over the sink after going to the bathroom. Her face was bruised, but not overly so. The mark on her neck where Colin had held her against the cabinets was now several shades of browns and blues. Her hair was a mess, and reaching for the comb on the sink, she tried to straighten it as best she could, but simply did not have the energy.
    Aaron…Mr. MacManus had started to kiss her twice now. Once in the kitchen and then just now. Why, she wondered, then flushed. She was not so much concerned with why he wanted to kiss her, she realized, but that he had not.
    When she finally opened the door, opting wisely, she thought, not to take a shower, Duncan stepped quickly to her.
    “ Too much, I’m guessing; back to bed with you.” He put his shoulder under her good side to gently guide her to the bed. He had made it, she saw, stripping off all the linens and putting on fresh sheets. He had also folded back the gorgeous quilt so that she could get into it with ease.
    She had only taken two steps when he stopped her. Without a word, he gently picked her up into his arms and laid her back on the bed. She was exhausted and hurting and did not utter a single protest when he had lifted her. Then he fussed the blankets around her, fluffing her pillows behind her head.
    “ Now, I think you need to eat something light. I will go down and brew you up some tea with honey, and maybe a little broth, beef, I think. Dr. Thomas left instructions on how to make both, and to be honest, I’ve been practicing while you slept. I think I’ve about got it. What do you say?” He winked at her, and despite how badly she felt, she laughed.
    “ Oh, Duncan, where have you been all my life? Thank you, I’ll take the broth and tea now, please.”
    Sara really just wanted to go back to sleep, the walk to the bathroom taking a great deal out of her. She also knew that she needed to rebuild her strength if she stood any chance of leaving this house before she became someone’s lunch. She was not going to ask again if she could leave, she decided. It was time she left and if she had to hurt a certain arrogant ass of a vamp to do it, then she would.
    Sara must have dozed off. Duncan was about to turn and go back downstairs when she stopped him.
    “ Duncan, I’m awake now. Please, come in. That smells wonderful.” She tried to sit up a little straighter, but it required too much effort. She almost laughed at the expression on his face.
    “ How are you feeling, miss? You look a little...well, if you don’t mind my saying so, miss, you look like something that has been run over a few times.”
    “ Better than I look, I guess. It has been a rough couple of days. Do I really look as badly as I feel? No, don’t answer that. I’m feeling better, thank you for asking.” Somehow, she knew he was not trying to be funny, but simply did not get the slang. He was always so proper. She wondered what he had been before he had started working for Aaron.
    “ Yes, it has. Here you go. You eat as much as you can, please.” He put the tray across her lap and as he turned to go, she asked him to not leave just yet.
    “ Please, Mr. Duncan, if you wouldn’t mind keeping me company for a little bit. I won’t fall asleep in my soup if you stay.”
    Duncan sat in the chair that faced the bed. He then reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled several golden-colored spoons from his left pocket and then a white cloth for the right. He then proceeded to polish them.
    “ What day is it?” she asked after several minutes of her eating. The meaty rich broth was very good. It was warm and delicious going down. The tea was too sweet, but she drank it as well.
    “ Wednesday, I believe, miss.”
    He was putting the spoons, which she was sure was real gold, back into his pocket. She watched in astonishment when he reached into his front jacket pocket and pulled out another small cloth bag with several knives of the same golden hue and design. He looked up at her