Another thud came from inside the cabin. Alistair waited a few seconds but heard no curse.
He opened the door a c***k and poked his head in. Miss Parnell was on the floor in a puddle of dark blue velvet, not so much as a single blond curl visible amidst the tangle of fabric.
“Do you require assistance?”
“Apparently,” came the disgusted reply.
He stepped in, shut the door in Nick’s face, and tried to find an edge of the fabric. He found what seemed to be the bottom of the skirt and tugged upward.
“Stop! My hair is caught on the buttons.”
“Forgive me. I’ve never acted as a lady’s maid before.” Alistair knelt beside her. First he had to find her hair amidst the mass of velvet, then worked the silky strands free of the buttons. Almost a quarter of her skirt was damp with blood, making th
