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“Yes, of Banker Grange,” Rebecca answered softly as she gave him her hand He helped steady her before Felicia took hold of her
He bowed hiiving orders in the background She sighed contentedly He was so ever capable of anything
“Oh, Felicia,” Rebecca said as they got inside unnoticed and moved towards the stairs “You have been wonderful I have quite forgotten my body is nearly broken”
“Tosh, broken indeed Bruised and battered but dashed well strong In fact, another wo on You are ed her as they stared at the long steps before thee up those steps
“I shall forever be in yours and Mr Ashton’s debt,” Rebecca said gravely “You put yourself at jeopardy for er How can I ever repay you?”
“Such nonsense I have only known you less than an hour but am already certain you would have done the same had you been in my situation” She eyed her new friend comically and said, “And now that we are friends, you may be sorry, for I may call on you for help one day”
They both laughed at this, and Rebecca said softly, “Still, you are quite remarkable, and since we are friends, you must call me Becky”
“Then, you shall call me what my very dearest friend in all the world calls me—Flip No one else does”
It was an hour later that saw Felicia helping Becky into one of the day gowns Ashton had purchased for her It was a bit too short for Becky, as she was a good three inches taller than Felicia, but she looked well considering all her bruises and after her hot bath said she felt a good deal refreshed
Felicia had washed up, and in her pretty lace shirt and still wearing her black riding skirt, she helped Becky back towards the stairs However, Scott, as out of bed and standing in his britches and shirtsleeves in his doorway, called out, “What the deuce is going on? And who is your friend, Flip?”
Ashton caue “What the devil are you doing out of bed, young man?”
“Had to stretchrestless The doctor came by and said I was on theto catch Flip and hear her version of your adventure—had some from one of the servants”
Felicia pulled Becky forward, as her new friend had hung back and tried using her as a shield
Felicia laughed, for she realized and understood that Becky was shy ofScott while she sported a black eye and a red welt on her face She said encouragingly, “Nothing to worry about, Becky, ’tis only Scott”
She went on and introduced hie and noticed that while Becky stared for aon the hardwood flooring that held her attention