Anne looked up at Mr. Fraiser when he set down the bowl. "Thank you," she said quietly. It was easier to focus on him than on the Earl. She took the washcloth and began to clean the wound. It bled worse now, but though the sting brought involuntary tears to her eyes, she was hardly affected by the sight of the wound.

Focusing on the wound, so that she wouldn't have to look at the Earl and remember a different sight, she muttered. "I... If the offer still stands, s-, milord, I came for me wage. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be trouble." She held the washcloth on the wound, hoping it would stop bleeding. "It's just... I've bad need of it, or I wouldn't 'ave troubled ye at all, ser." She risked a timid glance up at his face to see how her request was received.