When Eli saw Nettie again, she sat in a wicker wheel chair in a voluminous while nightgown, with one of the sleeves cut off at the elbow to accommodate her splint, which was bound up to her chest with a crisp white sling. Over that, she wore a flannel robe that Eli didn't recognize.
The doctor repeated his instructions to Eli, aspirin, waking once every two hours to check on the concussion, and at least two days bedrest. Eli nodded, but Nettie frowned.
"What about the shop?" she fretted. "Missing one day was bad enough, but people want their newspapers. I can't stay in bed for two more days."
"You can, and you will, if I have to tie you down." Much as he liked the Websters, Eli was damned sure going to see to it that she followed the doctor's orders. "We'll sort something out." Surely in a town this size, he could find someone trustworthy enough to run a bookshop for a couple weeks. That was one of his lesser worries. Keeping her safe from her father topped his list. He turned and shook the doctor's hand, then wheeled Nettie out the back door of the doctor's office, where Eli had left his car in the alley, top up. No point in encouraging any more gossip than necessary.
"I telephoned Diana while you were with the doctor. She's been staying with my parents, but will be moving over to my house this afternoon." He lifted her out of the chair and into the passenger seat of his car, mindful of all her bruises. Her bravery humbled him when she didn't utter so much as a squeak. "And my housekeeper, Mrs. VanCleve, will have a room ready for you by the time we get there."
"It's three whole blocks," she said. "Your housekeeper must be quick. Are you sure you have the space? Your flat over your office doesn't seem that big."
"It is - you'll see. It's designed to make good use of all three stories." He didn't mention that he'd personally designed the place to easily house a family if he ever got around to having one. As the eldest son of a family that liked to consider itself part of the local aristocracy, he was constantly under pressure to do so. As a fireman, however, he was reluctant. If he had a wife, would he have to give up his after-hours vocation? His former fiancée had seemed to think so. That was one of the reasons for the past tense, though the truth of it had been far greater. They hadn't suited in any area, except in bed and even that had waned once she realized Eli had no intention of going into his father's banking empire, or even better, in her eyes, state or national politics.
He pulled into the carriage house, which Tim VanCleve, the housekeeper's husband and man of all work about the property, had left open. As soon as Eli pulled in, VanCleve pulled the door shut behind him and hurried around to help Eli with Nettie.
VanCleve opened the door, allowing Eli to scoop a dozing Nettie into his arms. She cuddled against him, nestling her head under Eli's chin. "Shouldn't have let him give me that shot," she murmured. "Hate medicine."
"You needed it." The ride home would have been screamingly painful without a little something, so Eli was glad the doctor had talked her into it. No wonder she'd fallen asleep in only three blocks.
A soft snore was her only reply.
VanCleve picked up her two small bags in one hand and hurried ahead to open the back door of the house. The rear half was part of the living area, housing the kitchen and other functional spaces along with the library, which opened into Eli's office at the front. The library could be locked from either side, effectively separating Eli's home from his workplace. Likewise, a second front door and foyer leading to the front stairs could be opened for guests on the rare occasions when Eli entertained.
"I put her in the green room, like you said." Disapproval soured Mrs. VanCleve's tone. "I've given Mrs. Chalmers the gold. Are you sure you wouldn't prefer me to put this...person up on the third floor?"
"I asked for Miss Price to be in the green room because it's very near the breakfast room and the small parlor. Once she's on her feet again, she won't have to walk far to eat or relax in comfort. I put my sister in the other half of the suite as she is acting as Miss Price's chaperone. They were schoolgirls together. I imagine they can manage a shared bathroom." There were only two suites on the second floor - Eli's and the double-roomed guest suite. All the other bedrooms were up on the third. He wanted Nettie where someone could hear her if she called out at night.
He deposited his burden on the freshly turned-down bed and explained the physician's orders to the housekeeper, adding. "Bring some flowers in here, too. The place looks a little dark."
"Yes, Mr. Eli." He'd turned toward the door but could about hear Mrs. VanCleve rolling her eyes.
"In my sister's room, too, of course. And make sure there's luncheon for her as well as some soup or other soft food for whenever Miss Price gets hungry.
"I know how to nurse an invalid, Mr. Eli." This time Eli turned and saw the wry grin on Henrietta VanCleve's face. "I suspect Mrs. Chalmers and I will be able to muddle right along. Meanwhile, your luncheon is getting cold. I left the tray on your desk, sir. Have a good afternoon."
Eli knew he'd been dismissed from the land of women. Smothering a chuckle, he made his way back to the reality of his everyday life, and cooled fried chicken with mashed potatoes waiting under a cover in his office.?