Dillon moved to stand before Prudence. "Your brother has gone. The few clothes of yours that were left in the house, we recovered. 'Tis good to see that my sister's clothing fits you. I also believe that you are close to the same size as Lady Gabriella. What you need, I will make sure you have."

"Will I be alone in that house tonight?" she asked with concern.

"I would not allow you to go unguarded. I took on the responsibility of your protection from the moment you ran to me. Until it's safe to move you, my friends will keep watch. You can trust them. Now explain to me how you came to be sleeping on the floor. What has been happening to you?"

Prudence took a breath, her eyes downcast as she began, "My father became sick four years ago. He watched helplessly as Robert pilfered anything that would bring a handsome price: jewels, furs, ball gowns. Then he took what little household money I had. Father grew weaker, because Robert would not pay for his medicine. Robert legally took over the finances and gave us nothing. But I found a way.

"Doctor Burton continued to treat my father in exchange for my help at the hospital. Most of the nurses were nuns, but they needed more help. I received enough pay to feed us, and the doctor allowed me to keep the money in his office to hide it from Robert."

Dillon's head cocked at the news of that. "Let me understand. Are you telling me that Doctor Burton knew of your brother's abuse and did nothing?"

"Giving me training as a nurse isn't considered nothing, Dillon! I earned my money, and that's the best thing anyone could have done for me. I am a good nurse, and I help people every day, including you. How dare you say such a thing?"

"I saw how you lived, Prudence, that's how I dare. You lived like a pauper. He should have come to me. He knew I would have helped."

"Actually, you couldn't. You were sailing with Lord Greystone. The nuns helped. I stayed with them many nights to hide from Robert after Father died. I feared he would try and take what I made if he discovered I worked at the hospital. He took everything else."

"You never mentioned this to me while I was in the hospital. Your father must have been at home," he said as he thought aloud. "If he was sick for four years, and he died while I was gone, then you had a year to tell me how bad it was for you. Why didn't you, Pru?"

"You were a patient, Dillon. A nurse doesn't share their personal life with patients. The point is to get them well."

He was quiet, because he had never made claims on her. He'd been friendly with a nurse. She had no idea of the feelings he had for her. "He died at home." It wasn't a question.

"Yes. My job caused Father to be left alone during the evening because I had no choice but to work while Robert was out gambling. Father had warned me to keep my work a secret. Near the end, he slept a lot. Working the night shift allowed me to be home with him during the day. I was able to make sure he ate, took his medicine, and gave him a bath."

She took her focus from him and stared at her hands. "Then, early one morning, I returned home from the hospital to discover my father had passed during the night. I feared that would happen, but he refused to go to the hospital."

"I understand, Prudence." Dillon knew the man preferred to die at home. "Your father would not have wanted you to feel guilty for what you needed to do." He wanted to ask about a funeral but decided those questions could wait.

"I know. At first, Father was sad that I had to work, but I would come home and speak to him about those I helped and what I was learning. He found pride in what I was doing. I am glad he didn't live to see Robert sell me."

Dillon cupped his hand on her shoulder to show his sympathy. Her emotional control instantly took over, and she shook the sadness away.

"There are times that I feel so naïve. Before Robert's horrible behavior, I never knew anyone could become like that. He always craved power and saw money as the way to gain it. He wanted his inheritance early. He always had ideas to invest and make more. Then he began gambling. I must admit I'm relieved that he's gone. Don't think me terrible, but he frightens me. I hope he never returns."

Her voice had been whisper soft with her anger, but when she looked back at Dillon, who stood tall and powerful, her mood softened. "I have you to thank for saving me. When will you take me to this house?"

Dillon knew that was her way of saying she was through discussing it. "I'm not taking you." The moment he said it, she wilted. "Allow me to explain. If I go with you, we could be followed. So I made a plan to sneak you out of here in a wagon. I placed that straw mattress you were sleeping on in the back to make it more comfortable since you will be hiding there.

"You likely know there was no trunk there at your house, or you would have used it for your clothes. Needless to say, you will need them. So, I stopped at my residence before coming here and packed your things. Though, I fear I have no skill in doing so. I thought it best to keep the servants unaware of you. Tongues wag, and the papers report it." He saw the small smile she bestowed, and it pleased him.

"Is that the extent of your wardrobe?" he asked.

"All except the black dresses I wear at the hospital. I kept them there so Robert wouldn't see them. I don't believe he ever discovered that I worked with Doctor Burton. He gambled and then slept, but never at home."

The man had no worth as a brother, and Dillon would enjoy dishing out the punishment he deserved. "I will repeat my offer so you will know 'tis true. If you need anything, we will be sure you have it. I want your word you will tell me."

"I am very grateful for your help. You have my promise."

He nodded with satisfaction. "Jeffry, my sister's butler, has agreed to drive you to meet Daniel Long at the hospital. From there, he and Jasper Mills will take you the rest of the way by coach to a house that Daniel owns. It presently remains empty.

"To be safe, I will come on the morrow where we will escort you to Greystone. You can trust my friends. They saw to my recovery when I arrived at the hospital."

"Yes, of course, I remember them. Your friends helped me to take care of you," Prudence reminded him.

His smile was slow as he recalled those memories. It was bitter-sweet. "I daresay, they never missed a day, which brings me to something I want to speak with you about. I recall..."

Alison, unaware of interrupting, came to the door and called out, "Dillon, bring Prudence to the breakfast room. The cook has prepared dinner for you both. Jeffry is almost ready to leave. He is preparing a tarp to cover the back of the wagon. That should make it warmer for her."

He offered his arm, but Prudence stopped him. "What did you remember?"

"We can speak of this later."

She had a hunch as to the topic he wished to discuss.

* * *

Dillon and Prudence sat at the table eating a meal of fresh bread and lamb stew. Neither said much, though she took intermittent glances at him.

"What are you pondering over?" he asked as he wiped his bread in the remaining broth left in his bowl.

"I am concerned as to why you wear an eyepatch. Your eyesight wasn't damaged. Has something gone amiss?"

"'Tis unsightly," he said, sounding as if he defended his choice.

Her eyebrows drew in with remorse. "Did you not use the cream for the burns? They had improved much before you left for home."

"Yes. The cream helps. The unsightly darkening of the skin is improving."

"Good." She could tell he was uncomfortable discussing it. But after treating burns that made people scream, vain complaints were easier to ignore. "Show me your hand."

He knew she would eventually ask. A resigned sigh escaped his lips as he scooted the chair back.

"Don't you dare get up, Dillon. I've washed you from head to toe, cleaned your wounds, and you have nothing I haven't seen or touched—and yes, that part of your anatomy as well—until your friends took over bathing you. I want to see the improvement, and determine whether or not I can do more. Do as I ask. Your chivalry today is appreciated, but my concern for your well-being overrides it."

Enchanted by her bossiness, he laughed aloud. "You have always barked orders at me." His position with her on his right side made showing her his left hand awkward. With a jerk, he moved the chair and offered his hand.

Prudence took his hand in both of hers and brought it near to examine the scars closely, touching the back of his hand in a gentle caress as she felt the skin. "This is wonderful. Why are you wearing gloves? Do they help the skin?"

His lip quivered with delight at her sweet viewpoint. "My sister continues to remind me I'm a vain man."

She quit looking at his hand to glare at him. "There is nothing ugly about the way you have healed. Shame on you! Daniel told me how you rushed towards a man ready to throw that bottle into a crowd and instead threw it at you. Your leg was as badly burned as your hand. Does it look as wonderful as this?"

What he noticed was her pride. "Yes. Nothing as bad as the skin around my eye." He leaned his head back in case she reached for his eyepatch. "You may look on the trip. Have you finished your meal?"

She nodded and slowly released his hand. "You were about to tell me something you remembered. I am most curious."

He rose to his feet. There would be time to ask later. "You taught my friends how to care for me. I have some questions about it. Tomorrow is soon enough. Also, I am out of the cream Doctor Burton gave me for my burns. While you're there..."

She didn't wait for him to finish. "Yes. I will make sure you have it." She stood, and he hurried to help her with the chair.