As if the maid had been waiting for them to end their meal, she entered as they stood. Draped across her arms was a wool cape lined with fur. Dillon took it from her, and she curtsied and left.

He wrapped it around Prudence, closed the hooks at the neck, and then raised the hood over her hair. "That should help keep you warm on the journey."

She glided her hand over the deep burgundy wool in the same way she had caressed his hand. "'Tis lovely," she said. "But, this is too fine a garment to use in the back of a wagon," she stated with regret.

Alison came to the door in time to hear her. "Wait until you see the way my brother and Jeffry prepared your ride. I am most impressed. Besides, the cloak will withstand such a trip. Please, have no concerns. 'Tis our pleasure to help you."

"I am most grateful."

"As am I," Dillon admitted. "My journey to regaining my life was not easy. Your devotion to help me heal while I was at the hospital kept me alive. But helping you now is not the only reason I do so, Pru. I am quite fond of you and your unrelenting ways," he said with a teasing grin.

The fact that he continued to call her Pru, like a dear friend, thrilled her. "To see your humor restored is a gift." Her eyes warmed as he chuckled and bowed to her.

She stepped closer and touched his sleeve. "If you would be so kind, please permit me to express myself. That day many patients arrive at the hospital. After such hostile demonstrations, many were killed or injured because they were unable to escape. I feared my efforts would not be enough to attend so many.

"From the moment you arrived, you became my patient. At first, you remained unconscious. We kept you in a sleeping state at first with the use of medicinal ether. However, once we did all we could to treat your wounds, we allowed you to wake in order to feed you. I also gave you a natural serum sweetened with honey that fights infection. While sleeping, you didn't take enough. Once awake, you never fought me. Though, you weren't pleased when I bathed you."

He laughed at the embarrassment he felt. "Surely you understand why," he said with bluntness.

She tried not to laugh, but the corner of her lips gave her away. "You tease me now, but I know what it takes to endure the suffering of those ghastly treatments. No one wants to be touched. Most believe death would be easier. Nevertheless, you fought against revealing your agony to help me do what must be done. I want to thank you for enduring what you did to make my duties easier. Because of this, I became protective of you, and I must say, I remain so.

"You see, I am assigned the first cases of burns, but with you, I could not trust another to do what I know to do. I had to do everything I could to make sure your scaring would heal with minimal damage. Yet, you hide behind disguises as if I failed. I'm so sorry I could not do more."

Dillon stared at her in shock. "You did not fail!" He said with conviction. "Those who look upon imperfections as ugly are the ones that fail. I draw sick of such reactions, so I hide them." He ripped off his eyepatch. "You see my scars as evidence of what I lived through. Other's do not."

She stepped forward to see his scar, but the light was too dim. "Stop pampering the ignorant, for that is what you do! Use both of your eyes, Dillon. You have no need to bandage their sight of you. Heroes walk above them. Remember that."

Alison stepped up to Prudence with tears in her eyes and hugged her. "Thank you! You have verified what I've tried to tell him."

Pru nodded and then turned to Dillon. "I have experience with fighting against the impossible. My brother has been a foe for most of my life. I believe that those who abuse others mistakenly see this as power in regards to self-worth. If Robert lived as he has made me live, the lesson would have value. However, I fear he would not be strong enough to endure it.

"Your strength, Dillon, came from the love of others. This is how you fought to survive. They do not see scars; they see the man. I most admire your compassion and bravery." She picked up his hand and showed him the scars by rubbing her finger over them. "These marks, my brave warrior, are the scars of a hero."

Dillon stood totally stunned by her assessment of his struggle. No one had ever acknowledged what it had taken to make it through such a relentless hell. He gave her a royal nod and slipped outside to gain control of his emotions.

Prudence watched him leave and looked to Alice to explain. "Did I say too much?"

"No, M'dear. What you told him, he desperately needed to hear from someone other than family and his closest friends. Thank you."

Prudence nodded. "I spoke the truth. Perhaps, he will soon embrace his trial and what he gained by it. I must hurry. They're waiting on me."

She stepped outside and observed how the torches lit the area by the wagon. Dillon was looking beneath the oilcloth stretched across the wagon when she stepped beside him. Jeffry came around and pulled the tarp back to reveal the mattress with trunks on either side.

There didn't seem to be much room. "Will I fit?"

Dillon looked at her and chuckled. "Yes. I'll help you get inside. Come. We need to get you out of London proper." He took her by the waist and lifted her onto the wagon. She giggled as if such an experience was new to her.

She raised the bottom of her clothes up to her calves and lowered to her knees. Careful not to tear the dress and cloak, she crawled onto the mattress. Dillon waited while she straightened her clothes around her ankles and laid down.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked.

"Yes, the luxury of such is beyond my expectations, Dillon. I will be fine."

He gave her ankle an affectionate pat. "The hospital isn't far. We're placing some rags on top of the trunks for visibility for the hospital. Once you arrive, Daniel and Jasper will help you climb out when they know 'tis safe."

"Your efforts for my safety are impressive, Dillon. While I am at the hospital, I shall get the ointment for you. I must also speak with Doctor Burton and explain why I won't be working. I insist upon this. He depends on me."

"Is he expecting you tonight, Pru?" At her nod, he considered the risk. "After my friends arrive, tell them, and they will escort you inside. But you must do everything they say. Promise me."

"You have my word that I will do as they say." She waited for them to secure the cover. "I will see you tomorrow, Milord."

"My name is Dillon. Continue to use it." He saw the smile just as he pulled the canvas over her. He looked to Jeffry and said, "Take care of her."

"With my life, Milord." Jeffry climbed onto the seat and took the reins in hand. "She'll be as safe as a babe in her mother's arms." He snapped the reins as soon as the gate was opened onto the alleyway.

Alison stepped beside Dillon and took his arm. "Let me know what I can do to help her."

"I will."

*

Prudence bounced on the mattress as the wagon wheels rolled over the brick road, but she was comfortable and warm. She had not had anyone take such care of her since before her father became ill. Nevertheless, each harmful act her brother committed proved she had the strength to survive it.

After he had sold the horses, she was left afoot. She had walked a far distance to hail a hack but doing so nightly had begun to eat up their food money. For a time, the doctor rescued her by meeting her at a chosen spot to give her a ride.

But after her father died, she had begun staying with the nuns at the hospital. Today, she had informed him of her plans to return home to gather her things. She would take a hack to return to the nunnery. Her tardiness tonight would tell him something else had happened.

Robert's constant loss at cards taught him nothing. Now that nothing was left except for the house, she knew it would also be sold. His journey could only lead towards a dreadful end. He'd either be killed or flee the country, and she would be left all alone.

However, she knew she had Doctor Burton. He had assured her she would have a job with him, and he would help her. Today, the moment she had seen Dillon riding upon his steed, it was as if the heavens had opened, and a warring angel had come to fight for her.

She knew the thought was fanciful, but he had always been so strong. After he left the hospital, she had missed him. The doctor told her he had taken a trip on the high seas with his friends. She often imagined him there, standing on the deck of a sailing ship with the wind and sun healing his skin as he regained his strength.

His return today was no doubt a miracle.

Pru had found an attachment with Dillon because he helped her. She assumed Dillon had done the same with her for the months of helping him. That was the reason she felt free to speak her mind. A giggle escaped her lips because of how she had told him to sit down when she thought he was leaving her presence.

Modesty didn't exist when people were sick or burned. She had not only bathed him but helped him use a bedpan. Some patients became embarrassed by such a history, but tonight she heard the musical sound of his laughter. After all the pain he had been through, his laughter was as beautiful as a song.

Because of the new book, A Greystone Christmas, I'm adding a few chapters for everyone to get acquainted with the characters in it. I hope this gives you better insight to the book.

Thanks for reading.