by Laura Landon
“Yes,” Harrison answered.
Except he wasn’t sure whether Charfield’s feelings were real or part of the act he’d been hired to play.
If the man’s feelings were real, he prayed Elly never found out the reason Charfield had been invited, or the bargain they’d made.
The wounds she suffered today would heal a thousand times faster than her broken heart.
Chapter 21
Brent paced back and forth in front of the bedroom door and wondered what could be taking the doctor so long.
A maid rushed in and out three times carrying basins of water and bundles of fresh towels. He’d tried to ask the girl what was happening but she ran past him in such a hurry he couldn’t get the question out.
Twice he’d heard a low moan come from behind the door and it was nearly more than he could do to remain in the hall without rushing to her side. If he could just see her for a moment he’d feel much better. Not knowing was the worst part. And the waiting.
He paced the length of the hall once more. Just when he decided he could wait no longer, the door opened.
He walked up to the doctor. “How is she?”
“On the positive side, she woke up long enough to inform me I was being too rough.”
The doctor smiled and Brent felt part of the weight lift from his chest.
“Her head will ache for a day or more, but I told Nanny Graybrim to keep the drapes closed. I left some drops to put in her tea when the pain gets too bad. She’s a strong girl. Always has been. She shouldn’t need it for more than a day or two.”
“And on the negative side?” The knot in Brent’s stomach grew.
“What happened to her didn’t do her foot any good. It’s swollen and bruised worse than I’ve ever seen it. The drops will help with the pain, but...”
“But, what?” Brent knew whatever the doctor said, it wasn’t going to be good.
“We won’t know how badly Lady Elyssa’s foot is injured until the swelling is down.”
“If it’s bad?”
“There’s a chance she won’t be able to walk.” He said his grim prognosis so there was no chance Elly could hear.
“Is there anything we can do to make sure that doesn’t happen?”
The doctor shook his head. “Pray. That’s all that will help now.”
Brent nodded. He wasn’t an expert when it came to praying, but for Elly he’d learn to be.
“Don’t let her out of bed for at least a week. Maybe longer. Then after I give her permission to get up, I don’t want her walking on that leg. She’ll have to be carried if she goes anywhere. And keep her leg elevated. That will help more than anything.”
Brent nodded.
“I’ll check back in the morning,” the doctor said. “It won’t hurt to give her a little brandy if she’s in too much pain. But not too much. Her head’s going to ache enough the way it is. No sense making it worse.”
“All right.” Brent walked to the door and the doctor headed to the stairs. Lady Lathamton and Harrison waited at the bottom. He knew the doctor would give them the same information when they asked about Elly and they would see him out.
He walked to her room and opened the door.
The drapes were drawn and the room was dark, as the doctor said it should be. There was a potent odor from the medicine and salve he’d used and the smell brought home how serious Elly’s injuries were.
Nanny Graybrim stood beside the bed and placed a fresh cold cloth on Elly’s forehead.
“Is she asleep?” He pulled up a chair on the opposite side of the bed and held Elly’s hand.
“She wakes every few minutes,” Nanny said, “but mostly she sleeps. That’s good, considering all she went through.”
Brent swiped his hand down his face. He could still see the look on her face when Waverley pushed her and she lost her balance. He could still see her eyes close when her head hit the wall. And he could still feel the fragile weight of her limp body in his arms.
He moved his gaze to the foot of the bed. A thin blanket covered her foot, but Brent knew the extent of her injuries. He’d seen her red, swollen ankle.
He slowly reached until he touched her hand, then twined his fingers with hers. Nanny Graybrim worked around him but he hardly noticed. He was too intent on watching her. It wasn’t until the door opened behind him that he realized he wasn’t alone with her.
Brent lifted his gaze to the open doorway. Fellingsdown and Lady Lathamton crossed the room, then stopped at the bed.
“Is she asleep?”
“Yes. The doctor said she probably wouldn’t wake for a while.”
Fellingsdown and Lady Lathamton sat in chairs someone had placed close to the bed. Fellingsdown kept his gaze on Elly’s foot. “Has she told you what happened to her?” he asked. “Why she’s like she is?”
“No.”
The corners of Fellingsdown’s mouth lifted upward and a sad smile crossed his lips.
“I should have known she hadn’t. She’s never told a soul the truth of what happened that day. Not even Mother or Father.”
Lady Lathamton rose, then took the cloth from Nanny Graybrim, and with a silent nod, the nurse left the room.
“I was thirteen years old when it happened. Elly and George were eleven. Spence nine, Jules seven. Poor Elly had the misfortune of being the only girl sandwiched between four brothers. She constantly tagged along after the four of us and we constantly tried to avoid her.
“I remember complaining to Mother once because we couldn’t leave the house without Elly following us. I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t stay at home and play with the twins. They were girls. Mother explained that there weren’t too many things Elly could do with two three-year-olds.”
Fellingsdown leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on his knees. “One day the boys and I were playing down by the stream. We found a tunnel burrowed into the bank. It was the biggest tunnel we’d ever seen and we were sure it was dug by a sea monster. We waited all day hoping our monster would appear but it didn’t. When it turned dark, we went home, but we couldn’t wait to go back.
“The next day, we each took a weapon to slay the monster when he appeared and walked to the stream. I took a wooden sword I’d spent hours sharpening, and George had a bow and arrow. I can’t remember what Spence and Jules brought but it doesn’t matter. As we left the house, Elly ran across the yard after us. She had a club in her hand.
“We told her we didn’t want her to come with us but she followed anyway. She stayed far enough behind she didn’t think we knew she was there, but we did. And we didn’t want her with us. We were going to slay our monster. It was our monster and we didn’t want a girl tagging along. So we decided to lose her. And we did.”
Fellingsdown rose to his feet. He walked to the window in the pretext of looking outside even though the drapes were drawn. There was nothing to see.
“We waited all day for our monster to show up but he didn’t. Finally when it started to get dark, we gave up and went home. It was dinnertime, after all, and we hadn’t thought to bring along anything to eat.
“We washed up then went down for dinner, but Elly didn’t come down.
“Mother sent a servant up to get her. The maid returned and informed Mother Elly wasn’t in her room; that it didn’t look like she’d been there all day.
“I remember being so pleased with myself,” Fellingsdown said walking back to the foot of the bed and leaning against one of the bed posters. “Our plan to lose Elly had worked very well. Mother suggested that she might be lost, but George told her Elly was probably playing a trick on us because we wouldn’t let her come along. We were all certain she pretended being lost to get us into trouble.”
Brent gave Elly’s hand a gentle squeeze.
“Thankfully, Mother and Father didn’t believe for a moment that Elly would stay out this late intentionally. Within moments, Father called all the servants together and organized a search.
“Mother kep
t Jules and Spence with her because they were too young to help in the dark, but Father took George and me with him. We retraced our steps from the afternoon, but couldn’t find Elly anywhere.”
Fellingsdown was silent for several long seconds. Lady Lathamton stepped to where he stood and reached for his hand. He smiled down on her, but his smile didn’t contain happiness.
“The next day, Father sent a message to the neighboring estates asking for help. Our neighbors came with every servant they could spare. Even people from the village came to assist in the search.”
“When did you find her?” Brent asked.
“Two days later. Elly had fallen through some rotten boards covering an abandoned well. She mangled her foot when she fell. When they pulled her up, I remember looking at it and thinking that she’d somehow managed to put her foot on backwards. Her right foot was ten times larger than her left and purple and black in color.”
Fellingsdown closed his eyes. “I can still hear her screams as the doctor tried to straighten her leg. George and Spence and Jules and I huddled together in Father’s study and covered our ears to try to shut out her cries, but nothing helped. In the end, the doctors prepared to amputate her foot, but Mother wouldn’t let him. Elly was so exhausted and weak, Mother was certain she’d die. And she nearly did.”
Fellingsdown raked his fingers through his hair as if reliving every painful memory, then sat back in his chair and propped his elbows on his knees.
“Elly’s foot became infected and she developed a fever from the two nights she spent in the cold. Thankfully, she survived. But we all have scars from what happened.”
“She doesn’t blame you, Harrison,” Lady Lathamton said. “She doesn’t blame any of you.”
“But she should.” Harrison swallowed hard. “Elly is like she is because of us. Because of me.”
Brent understood now why her brothers were so protective of their sister. It wasn’t just because they felt responsible for her injury. They felt responsible for her. But there was an error in their thinking.
They thought her limp made her weak. It didn’t. Elly was stronger because of her limp.
She was the most gifted woman he’d ever met. She was braver than any of the simpering females to whom he’d been introduced, more intelligent than any person he knew, and a more accomplished horsewoman than anyone - male or female - he’d ever met.
Why couldn’t her brothers see that? Why did they allow their guilt to blind them to her strengths?
Brent wanted to list Elly’s strengths, but her low, pained moan stopped him.
“It’s all right, Elly,” he whispered, trying to keep her from moving too much. “Lie still.”
She quieted, then slowly lifted her eyelids.
“Lie still, sweetheart,” he whispered again.
“Brent?”
“I’m right here. You’re safe now.”
“Is Waverley...?”
Her voice was weak but she seemed remarkably alert.
“He’s gone,” Brent said, intending to keep the details from her.
“Dead?”
He wanted to laugh. This was a perfect example of her understanding. Her perceptiveness was far more than anyone, including her brothers, gave her credit.
“Yes. He’s dead.”
“He wanted to kill...Andrew. I tried to—”
“I know. You are the bravest person I’ve ever seen.”
“Rest a little while longer, Elly,” her brother said leaning toward her. “Parkridge and Berkingham went to get the twins. You know how much rest you’ll get once they arrive.”
Everyone laughed. Even Elly tried to smile, but Brent saw the pain it caused her.
The chatter of voices came from the hallway and Brent knew he’d lost any chance to be alone with her.
The door opened and Lady Parkridge and Lady Berkingham took control as if their mission was to remove them from Elly’s presence. They hustled Fellingsdown and him from the room.
Brent knew it would be days before he could be alone with Elly – several long, empty days and nights.
He wasn’t sure he’d survive.
Chapter 22
It was two weeks and four days before the doctor finally declared Elly fit enough to travel. Brent carried her to the waiting carriage and handed her up to Fellingsdown. They’d placed a cushion on the floor between the seats and added a dozen pillows so her leg would ride in comfort.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked when she was situated.
“Yes, very. It’s not wise to pamper me this much.”
“It’s not?”
“No. I could get used to it.”
“And that would be bad?”
She smiled. Oh, he loved it when she smiled.
“Yes, I’d become a spoiled brat.”
“It can’t happen. Being a spoiled brat isn’t in your nature.” Brent took the cover Lady Lathamton handed him and placed it over Elly’s legs. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
Brent stepped outside and joined Fellingsdown and Lady Lathamton. “Thank you for allowing me to remain after everyone left,” he said.
“I enjoyed your company,” Lady Lathamton said. “And so did Elly. I think your presence is the reason she healed so fast. You were good for her.”
“Thank you.” Brent hoped that were true.
“If you’ll excuse me, I want to say good-bye to Elly and assure her we’ll be over soon.”
Lady Lathamton stepped to the carriage to speak with Elly.
“I think Cassie’s correct,” Fellingsdown said. “You deserve the credit for Elly’s fast recovery. Perhaps it’s best to find out what your intentions are toward my sister.”
Brent faced Elly’s brother. “I intend to ask her to marry me.”
Fellingsdown’s eyebrows shot upward. “Have you asked her yet?”
“No. I want to speak with your father first. I want to assure him that I will be a good husband to Elly.”
“What about the bargain we made?”
“I consider any bargain we struck null and void.”
“You don’t want the breeding rights to El Solidar?”
“No. The bargain was made before I met Elly. The bargain was made before—” He stopped, then proudly stated what he wanted the whole world to know. “Before I realized how much I loved her.”
Fellingsdown smiled. “I know exactly what I intend to give you for a wedding present.”
“Your Arabians have nothing to do with my wanting to marry your sister.”
Fellingsdown laughed. “I know. That’s what makes my gift so perfect.”
Brent felt an elation he’d never experienced in his life but it had nothing to do with the gift Elly’s brother promised. It was because Fellingsdown approved of his request to marry Elly.
Brent walked back to the carriage feeling as if he walked on air.
“Are you sure you don’t need us to accompany you,” Fellingsdown asked Elly after Brent was seated.
“No, I’ll be fine. Lord Charfield will make sure I get to The Down safely.”
“We won’t be long,” Fellingsdown added. “A week perhaps. Two at the outside. Just long enough to study the last of the estate books and make sure the new steward doesn’t have any more questions.”
“Settle things here first, Harrison. This is more important.”
“Take good care of her,” Fellingsdown said, then closed the door and gave the driver the command to leave.
Brent sat back against the cushion while the carriage took off.
Elly waved a final time, then settled back against the seat and looked at him. “Will you be leaving The Down right away?” she asked.
“Only if you want me to.”
Her cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink and she shook her head. “No, I’m glad to have your company. The house will be quiet now that everyone’s gone back to London. Although I have to say it was none too soon to have the twins stop hovering over me.”
“Th
ey were very attentive.”
“Attentive? They nearly smothered me with their concern.”
Brent laughed. It had been more than amusing to watch Elly’s two sisters compete with each other over which one of them could take better care of her.
“Then I’ll stay for a while longer, if you don’t mind.”
“I’d enjoy that. Perhaps until Harrison and Cassie come. They said they’d stop by for a few weeks before they went to London to talk with the Lathamton solicitor. But I don’t think that’s the only reason Harrison wants to take Cassie to London.”
“You don’t?” He folded his arms over his chest as the carriage made its way down the road. “Just what ulterior motive do you think your brother has?”
“I think he wants Society to see him in Lady Lathamton’s company so when they announce their betrothal it won’t be such a shock.”
“You’re sure your brother and Lady Lathamton will marry?”
“Of course. Anyone can see how much they love each other.”
“They can?”
“Stop teasing.” She wrinkled her pert little nose and frowned at him. “You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed.”
Hell, but she was a beauty. His heart did a somersault every time she looked at him with her dark smiling eyes.
“All right. I’ve noticed. There does seem to be an attraction.”
“More than an attraction,” she contradicted. “The two are madly in—”
The carriage hit a rut in the road that nearly unseated her.
Brent bolted from his seat and reached for her. He sat on the cushion next her and wrapped her in his arms.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, fine. More surprised than anything.”
“So sorry, Sir,” the driver said from above. “I didn’t see the rut.”
“No one hurt,” Brent answered, holding Elly securely in his arms.
“Oh, good, Sir,” the driver answered, and Brent noticed that the speed of the carriage slowed a bit.
“It will be better soon, Elly. We’re nearly home.
She laid her head against his chest.