blasted thing, and I wasn’t willing to endure that disgrace again . . . or the pain associated with a fall. I was enormously put out by the experience the first time it happened and became firmly dedicated to the idea that it shouldn’t happen again. So far, it hasn’t.”
Tucking her arm within the crook of his, Samantha stroked a hand over the scarlet fabric of his sleeve and was wont to admire the muscular firmness she felt beneath it. Heretofore she had thought her predilection in the area of men’s physiques slanted only one way, unequivocally toward the tall leanness of her own husband, which in truth bordered on thinness. But her brother’s physique definitely caused her to rethink her stance on the matter, for her former preference now seemed unfairly biased. Although Colton’s tall, broad-shouldered form was sleek enough to complement any garment, it was also hard and muscular, attesting to his immense physical prowess.
“Was this the first injury you ever suffered?”
A soft chortle wafted from Colton’s lips and seemed as pleasing to Samantha’s ears as a burbling brook.
The childhood memories of her brother, which she had stored in her heart as something immensely precious, had abounded with recollections of his warm, melodious laughter. Until this very moment, she hadn’t realized just how great a void that its absence had actually left in her everyday existence.
“Indeed, no, my dear, but it was the only one that ever became tainted. ‘Twas a very chilling experience indeed to come to the realization that I’d either lose my leg or die from gangrene poisoning, the initial evidence of which set me back upon my heels. It was my first real experience with fear. On the battlefields where I fought, there was always the chance I’d never leave them alive. The square formation, which Wellington often used, held solid in most cases, even against cavalry, but the outcome could never be predicted. Thus, I fought with every measure of skill and wit at my command to preserve my life as well as my company of men. I was too busy to think much about that cold, menacing dread called death, but it came upon me with devastating precision when I realized there was very little that could be done to stop the spread of tainted flesh other than chopping off a limb. In many cases, the amputation of a limb often speeded that event. My goading fear spurred me to try the good sergeant’s remedy in spite of how loathsome and foul it seemed. You see, maggots eat only putrid, not healthy flesh
—”
“Oh, please! I’m feeling sick! Say no more!” Samantha pleaded tremblingly as she clasped a handkerchief over her mouth. A distressing coldness swept through her as she was brought once again to
the realization of her brother’s narrow escape. “
However the cure came about, I’m immensely relieved it was effectual.”
The dark, manly brows flicked upward in agreement. “So am I, of that I can heartily attest.”
Samantha preferred not to dwell on what might’ve been had he not found the means to control the spread of the infection. Purposefully she changed the subject, for her own sake, as well as his. “Tell me, Colton, do you recall the Earl of Raeford?”
“Of course. Father and he were good friends, were they not?” At her nod, he continued, “Mother sent a letter describing your wedding soon after it took place. I assumed at the time that your groom was the younger of Lord Raeford’s two sons. As I recall, I was several years older than the elder brother, but I’
m afraid I missed the opportunity to become better acquainted with either of them while I was still at home since my own friends were usually here, demanding my attention when I wasn’t at my studies.”
Sweeping a hand toward the far end of the hall, his sister indicated the tall, sandy-haired man who, with the young woman upon his arm, had been the last to enter the manor. Presently, the couple were engaged in a muted exchange
Tucking her arm within the crook of his, Samantha stroked a hand over the scarlet fabric of his sleeve and was wont to admire the muscular firmness she felt beneath it. Heretofore she had thought her predilection in the area of men’s physiques slanted only one way, unequivocally toward the tall leanness of her own husband, which in truth bordered on thinness. But her brother’s physique definitely caused her to rethink her stance on the matter, for her former preference now seemed unfairly biased. Although Colton’s tall, broad-shouldered form was sleek enough to complement any garment, it was also hard and muscular, attesting to his immense physical prowess.
“Was this the first injury you ever suffered?”
A soft chortle wafted from Colton’s lips and seemed as pleasing to Samantha’s ears as a burbling brook.
The childhood memories of her brother, which she had stored in her heart as something immensely precious, had abounded with recollections of his warm, melodious laughter. Until this very moment, she hadn’t realized just how great a void that its absence had actually left in her everyday existence.
“Indeed, no, my dear, but it was the only one that ever became tainted. ‘Twas a very chilling experience indeed to come to the realization that I’d either lose my leg or die from gangrene poisoning, the initial evidence of which set me back upon my heels. It was my first real experience with fear. On the battlefields where I fought, there was always the chance I’d never leave them alive. The square formation, which Wellington often used, held solid in most cases, even against cavalry, but the outcome could never be predicted. Thus, I fought with every measure of skill and wit at my command to preserve my life as well as my company of men. I was too busy to think much about that cold, menacing dread called death, but it came upon me with devastating precision when I realized there was very little that could be done to stop the spread of tainted flesh other than chopping off a limb. In many cases, the amputation of a limb often speeded that event. My goading fear spurred me to try the good sergeant’s remedy in spite of how loathsome and foul it seemed. You see, maggots eat only putrid, not healthy flesh
—”
“Oh, please! I’m feeling sick! Say no more!” Samantha pleaded tremblingly as she clasped a handkerchief over her mouth. A distressing coldness swept through her as she was brought once again to
the realization of her brother’s narrow escape. “
However the cure came about, I’m immensely relieved it was effectual.”
The dark, manly brows flicked upward in agreement. “So am I, of that I can heartily attest.”
Samantha preferred not to dwell on what might’ve been had he not found the means to control the spread of the infection. Purposefully she changed the subject, for her own sake, as well as his. “Tell me, Colton, do you recall the Earl of Raeford?”
“Of course. Father and he were good friends, were they not?” At her nod, he continued, “Mother sent a letter describing your wedding soon after it took place. I assumed at the time that your groom was the younger of Lord Raeford’s two sons. As I recall, I was several years older than the elder brother, but I’
m afraid I missed the opportunity to become better acquainted with either of them while I was still at home since my own friends were usually here, demanding my attention when I wasn’t at my studies.”
Sweeping a hand toward the far end of the hall, his sister indicated the tall, sandy-haired man who, with the young woman upon his arm, had been the last to enter the manor. Presently, the couple were engaged in a muted exchange
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