The Seventh Suitor by Laura Matthews

undress and clean the young man of his mud. Winterton led Benjamin to the White Parlor and offered him a drink, which the young man gladly accepted. “Shall I have a room made ready for you, Karst?” he asked courteously.
    “Thank you, no, sir. I shall just stay until the doctor has seen Ralph, if you don’t mind.”
    “As you wish, though it may be some time before he arrives. I understand the two of you are purchasing the Drew farm with some idea of breeding horses.”
    “Yes,” Benjamin replied stiffly, aware that Lord Winterton had hoped to purchase the farm himself. He braced himself for the sharp edge of his host’s tongue but was surprised instead to find himself regaled with an account of the mishaps and mistakes Winterton had made when he started his own venture. He was even more surprised when Winterton offered him some sound advice, not at all patronizingly, and had his secretary bring some books and articles for him before sending Thomas off to bed.
    “That must be the doctor now,” Winterton remarked as the sound of voices in the hall reached them. The two men accompanied the doctor, an older man with wild white hair worn long and tied back with a black ribbon, to the patient’s room. Ralph was resting reasonably comfortably, but it was fortunate that he fainted early in the setting of his arm, for it was a most painful enterprise.
    Benjamin assisted as best he could in spite of the dizziness he began to feel. When the ordeal was over, Winterton thrust him in a chair and urged a glass of brandy on him. This restored him sufficiently to take his leave of Winterton and find his way home.
    When the room was cleared of all but Winterton, his valet, and the now-sleeping patient, Winterton remarked wryly, “He’ll waken with pain in a few hours. I’ll sit by to give him some laudanum if he needs it.” He roamed about the room for a moment and commented absently, “He was Carl’s best friend.” Recalling himself, he addressed Crosby rather curtly, “You may go now. I shall not need you further tonight.”
    The valet bowed and closed the door softly behind himself. Winterton stood gazing out the window for some time before lowering himself wearily onto a velvet-covered chair not really large enough to seat him comfortably, but the best the room had to offer. He dozed fitfully while Ralph tossed and groaned, every movement of his body causing him pain. He awoke only once and in a daze accepted some water and a few drops of laudanum, which helped him spend a more peaceful night.
    Winterton awoke early, checked the patient for fever, and, finding none, departed for his room, sending a footman in his stead. He found Crosby already patiently awaiting him and smiled companionably at the older man. “I think I could use a ride to clear my head. I should see that there is a more comfortable chair put in the West Room.”
    “As you say, my lord. I would have sat with him.”
    “I know,” Winterton replied wearily. “He’s not a bad fellow—very like Carl, really. He just wants a bit of responsibility to make him take hold.”
     

Chapter 8
     
    Kate walked in to breakfast to find her father reading a note, his brow drawn in a frown. “What is it, Papa? Not bad news?”
    “Certainly not the best I’ve had this week. It’s from Winterton’s secretary informing me that Ralph has been injured in a curricle accident, but is in no danger. They called in the doctor.” He lifted his eyes to his daughter, then read, “‘As Mr. Montgomery will no doubt require a great deal of rest after his accident, it is suggested that his family call no earlier than ten.’” He chuckled appreciatively. “No doubt my Lord Winterton does not wish to be overrun before he breakfasts.”
    “I doubt he arises so early,” Kate said scornfully, but returned her father’s twinkle. “Shall we all go? It would serve his lordship right.”
    “Your mama does not know of this as yet. Let us not worry her unnecessarily. Finish