by Moore, Mary
Nicole lowered her head to the wet ground, tears streaming down her face in the rain, and prayed aloud for God to save the man she loved more than life. “You must not let him die. He is just trying to rescue me, please God, please.” She prayed harder. “He cannot die without knowing that I love him. I do not care what he feels for me any longer. Please, just keep him safe.”
Suddenly a quiet, gentle voice began to speak from several yards away. “I don’t know ’ow you two got into that mess…”
Nicole recognized Toby’s voice and cried out in relief. “Thank You, Lord!” Her head quickly rose, muddied from the ground.
“…but you both, especially you, Miss Nick, need to listen very close and do everything I tell you, exactly like I tell you. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” they indicated while nodding their heads. Devlin realized speaking out loud suddenly seemed to be a danger and a waste of precious time.
“Good.” Toby started speaking louder to override the water and the storm. “Listen now. I don’t think I can come any closer. That embankment is jest ’bout ready to slip.”
Devlin muttered “good man” under his breath.
“I’ve got your ’orse, sir, and several ropes. I think I may be able to pull you to safety. But I’m going to ’ave to ask you some questions to get the lay of the land. When you answer me, be as still and as calm as you can be.”
Devlin had always resented Toby his closeness to Nicole. He had been jealous when he found out that Toby had become her eyes after her accident. But seeing his capability and the risks he was willing to take for his mistress made Devlin realize that he could not think of one of his personal friends he would rather have here trying to save their lives. Toby was calm and keeping their security first through a raging thunderstorm, and Devlin had never seen a servant with such presence of mind. Keeping his wits about him under this type of pressure assured Devlin that Toby was quite deserving of the trust Nicole placed in him.
“Now, Lady Nick, I’m gonna throw a circled piece of rope to both of you. You’ll need to put it ’round your middles. But you ’ave to put it on you with as little movement as possible, or more ground may give way. Do you think you kin? I will do everything I kin to make sure the rope lands close ’nough so that you won’t ’ave to move to get it. If it takes more’n one throw, don’t do anything. I’ll try again.” Devlin knew Toby was worried by his lapse in elocution.
“Toby, I think I can, but Lord Devlin has injured one of his hands and is holding on to the bridge with the other. I could not put the rope around me and hold on to him at the same time.”
“Toby!” Lord Devlin yelled. “She is holding on to me unnecessarily. She will do as you say and let go of my arm to put the rope around her waist. Do not worry about that. But you may not be able to depend on your own strength to hold the other end of that rope. The water is too fast. Use Orion and tie the other end around his pommel.”
“Good thinking, my lord,” Toby barked out. “Now before we work on Miss Nicky, we need to ’ave the whole plan ready. I can try to pull ’er to safety first, but the movement might jest cause that bank to cave in. Your end of the bridge might go with it. I’m thinking we need to ’ave both of you tethered at the same time in case something ’appens we ain’t planned on.”
No matter that he was in a life-or-death situation, Devlin could not help but appreciate the servant’s judgment. “I do not know where you got him, Nicole, but I will wager you do not pay him enough.”
“Got any ideas?” he yelled back at Toby.
“When I throw the rope to you, are you going to be able to put it ’round yourself? If not, once I get the rope ’round Miss Nick, I could crawl on my belly and pray the Good Lord lets the bridge ’old ’til I tie it ’round you.”
“No, Toby. That would just put another weight on the area and put you in danger, too. We need you too much right now, old man. If you throw me the rope, I will get it on me.”
“Toby!” Nicole screamed over the pouring rain. “He cannot use his right hand, and his left arm must already be numb from the cold. Is there not some way I can help get his rope on?”
“No!” both men screamed at the same time. “Miss Nick, you don’t seem to unnerstand how serious this is, and I swear if I was close ’nough I’d box your ears. I’m sorry to be disrespectful, but now’s not the time for niceness. You must stay as still as you kin. Getting the rope ’round you is going to risk both your lives. Do you understand that? I am dead serious! We are doing our best, hang it, to keep us all alive, and we can’t protect you if you won’t listen.”
“You definitely do not pay him enough,” Devlin said, close to tears out of fear for her.
“Toby,” Devlin yelled, “Nicole is probably right about my left arm being too numb, but the hand she is so desperately holding is only cut. I think I could use it long enough to get the rope around me.”
Lightning flashed, and all three were silent for a moment.
“That’s good news, sir! With all this lightning, we ’ave to get you two under cover as soon as we kin. I’m worried about pulling you both at the same time. There’ll be more movement than I want, but we got a better chance of catching you both ’ere if we do it that way. Downstream may be even worse than this. What do ya think, sir?”
“Good man! That should do the trick. Count to three and get both those ropes over here at the same time. Neither of us will try to grab for them.” He added an aside to Nicole. “Do you understand that, Nicole?” He said nothing further to her, expecting her complete cooperation. Then he returned to Toby. “You will need to throw them as closely as you possibly can to each one of us. Very slowly we will pull each rope near us and get it around us with as little movement as possible. Once the ropes are latched, we will let you know. Then you and Orion will need to begin to pull us free. As long as we are both secured, all we need to do is to wait until Orion pulls us. It may not even matter in which order.” Devlin knew they had already said all of this, but he wanted to be sure each of them had heard the plan, had understood it, and would stick to it.
“My lord, I’m tying the ropes with slip knots and when I get ’em ready, I’ll count three and throw.” While they waited, Devlin sent up his first prayer to the God that his grandmother and Nicole depended upon. God, if this does not work, let Toby use all his power to save Nicole and forget about me. Amen. Nicole had talked to Him as a friend when she prayed. Devlin hoped God allowed that kind of friendship on a first attempt.
He, at least, had a chance to save himself if the bridge collapsed. He wanted to be sure that Toby knew that was what he wanted, but Nicole would protest such an order, and they could not afford to waste energy now. He must depend on Toby…and God.
The count of three came all too soon, and the two ropes landed on their clasped hands. Devlin watched as Nicole slowly lifted one rope with her hand and put it over her head. He heard her talking, but it was not to him. “Lord, he does not need my hand, he needs Yours. I will let go of him only because I know You love him as much as I do and Your power is sufficient.”
Then she did the hardest thing she had ever done in her life. She let go of his hand.
Devlin took the other rope and broke the hold they had on one another. He had never felt so bereft in his life. He could not think about that now; there was still a long way to go. He moved slowly and deliberately, struggling without a word.
“Toby, I think we are ready.” The water was accelerating, and he cursed as some piece of debris knocked into him at breakneck speed.
“Pay ’ttention, you two, it’s time. I’m gonna count to three and we’re going to tug. You ain’t going to move very far, but at least if the bridge or bank gives way, we’ve got you safe ’til ’elp gets ’ere or we ’ave to make another tug. One more thing…this may ’urt. I’m not sure what shape either of you is in, but ’aving a rope pulled tight ’round your chest ain’t gonna be a picnic, even in the best of conditions.” Toby was silent for a moment. “Are you r
eady?”
“Nicole, my brave stupid girl, are you ready?” Devlin quietly called to her.
“Yes, Jared,” she said.
Lord Devlin gave Toby permission to start the count. Devlin heard her speaking again, but it was low. He strained to hear, but he could not make her words out.
“I love you, Jared. I am sorry for all of the pain I have caused you.”
Toby began to inch Orion backward, and as he did, Devlin held his breath as he noticed the bank next to Nicole sliding dangerously. He knew if her meager weight could cause that much damage then the bridge was sure to go. He was afraid Orion might not have the strength if it fell. He watched as Toby slowly turned Orion in the opposite direction so he could pull with all his might, in one swift yank, to get them both free. Devlin knew this could backfire, but he silently congratulated the man for giving them the best chance.
“I’ve got Orion ready,” he began. “One…two…” And without saying three, Toby hit the horse hard on the rump to make him pull forward with all his strength. The horse, startled, dug in his front hooves and pulled ahead, trying to run, not understanding the weight holding him back. Orion managed almost ten feet before he calmed down and Toby could handle him.
Both Lord Devlin and Nicole groaned as the ropes pulled hard under their arms and around their chests. The bridge split in two pieces and was carried away by the swift water. He and Nicole slid through the mud, and he knew one second’s peace. Then Devlin heard a loud clap of thunder and saw the flash of lightning hit the oak tree overhead.
He also heard the crack of a branch breaking free and watched, as if in slow motion and helpless to do anything, as it fell on top of Nicole.
His own injuries forgotten, Lord Devlin moved to her as quickly as he could, numb with cold and terror. Toby arrived at the same time. They realized as they reached her that the widest section of the limb had hit her squarely on the head, and she was no longer moving.
Devlin’s heart stopped, and in a fleeting moment he thought she might be dead. He found himself paralyzed in fear.
“No, my lord,” Toby said, choking back his own reaction. “She’s alive. But she’s bleeding pretty bad from this cut. We’ve got to get ’er out of this rain.”
“Get Orion, Toby. I will get her to the house.”
“Can you ride, sir?”
“I am scraped and stiff, but I can ride. In any event, I do not think Orion would allow you to ride him, as nervous as he is. I am not letting all of your hard work go to waste now. We would have been dead without you, and a bump on the head is not going to take her from me. If you can hand her up to me after I get on Orion, I will get to the house and send a horse back for you immediately.” The horse was skittish but recognized his master’s voice and settled down while they seated Nicole sideways in front of Devlin. He wrapped his arms around her as her head rested on his chest, and he gripped the reins.
Before he kicked the horse’s side, he looked down at Toby and said, “This is the second time you have saved my life. I am forever in your debt, Toby, and I find I do not mind owing you such an obligation. You did the work of three men today—smart, brave and loyal all.” Devlin’s voice cracked on his next words. “But even more than that, you protected her. I will not let you down again where she is concerned. I do not know how to thank you.”
There were tears mirrored in the servant’s eyes as he said, “You keep ’er safe and we’ll be even, my lord.”
Devlin rode off toward the house as fast as he could, while trying to avoid shaking Nicole any more than necessary. He had never felt this way before. There were so many events totally out of his control. For a brief moment he thought he understood Nicole’s faith. You had to believe that someone controlled the situations mere humans could not. He had to trust in her God to make things right; she had to be fine. “We are almost there, love. I am sorry if I am hurting you. I need to get you warm and in bed.” He knew she could not hear him, but he had to keep talking to her to keep reassuring himself she would survive another ordeal. Why had his pride made him such a fool?
“I am glad you cannot see me now, sweetheart. I am covered in mud and soaking wet. I do not believe even you would favor such a sight.”
He had ridden this way a thousand times in his life and it had never taken so long. Why was it doing so today?
When he finally came into view of the house, he breathed a sigh of desperate relief. “We are here, Nicole. Everything is going to be fine,” he whispered, even as he yelled to the house in general that he had found her. He saw Lady Beaumont come running outside, then heard her gasp, but he could not take the time to explain things to her now. He slid Nicole into the arms of one of the waiting footmen, then dismounted.
He picked Nicole up and walked quickly toward the house. He gave orders with each step. “Robbie, get Orion to the stable and take care of him. Send another horse down to the stream. Toby is coming back this way on foot. Bring him here quickly. Higgins, send for the doctor. Tell him it is an emergency. Mrs. Higgins, we will need plenty of hot bath water to get Lady Nicole warm. Toby will need it, too, so he does not catch his death.”
Devlin was in the house now and saw his grandmother, in her chair at the bottom of the steps. Just the sight of her made him tear up; she should be telling him everything would be all right, just as she always had. But she looked pale, and they could not comfort each other now. “Ma’am, I am sorry I have no time to explain this. I do not know the extent of her injuries, but if you could keep Lady Beaumont’s courage up, that will help tremendously.”
Finally, as he carried Nicole close to his heart and gently up the stairs, he said, “Grandmother, could you also send for the vicar? I think Nicole would like to have him here when she wakes. She will want to tell him of all the answered prayers we have had today.”
Please, God, he thought, give us one more.
Chapter Fifteen
Nicole lay unconscious for three days. The doctor came very soon upon the heels of Devlin settling her lifeless body into her room. He pronounced her lungs clear despite the complete drenching. He determined her limbs were sound except for the slightly sprained ankle. But he sorrowfully acknowledged that there was nothing he could do about her head wound except to bandage the cut and put ice on the swelling. The doctor had researched several such cases with his colleagues in London last year, and their only conclusion had been that no two cases were the same.
Lady Beaumont tearfully explained her concern, this having been the second time in her life that Nicole had received such a blow.
The doctor did not appear pleased with that complication, but, being a comforting man on the whole, he remained firm that they must not let their imaginations run away with them. All they could do for the nonce was give Nicole the time and rest she needed.
An express had been sent to Dr. Morrison’s office in London, informing him of this new setback in Nicole’s health. The doctor had responded immediately with an urgent missive assuring them he would leave town three days hence to assist the local doctor in any way he could. He was not an expert in head injuries, but he had not forgotten the special woman who had sat in his office that day, and he vowed to himself he would do everything that he could to help.
Dr. Morrison also added an unusual postscript to his communiqué. He bade them not to lose hope, as several of his associates had recently come to the conclusion that unconscious patients might be aware of what was going on around them, even though they were unable to communicate. He encouraged them to consider her cognizant of them until he arrived.
Lord Devlin would not leave Nicole’s bedside. The doctor’s words had been enough for him. He read the newspapers to her in the morning and books to her during the day. Her mother had given him a Bible and showed him some of Nicole’s favorite passages. He read them to her with reverence and hope.
He did his best to get water and soup into her when he could, and he kept the drapes open each day so she could feel the healing heat of the sun on her fac
e. He kept from completely breaking down at her continued insensibility by grasping at the small hope Dr. Morrison had given them. The vicar came often, and Devlin would stand quietly holding her hand as he listened to the soft-spoken prayers the man constantly lifted up on her behalf.
But the nights were the worst. They never failed to weaken his resolve. With the house so quiet and Nicole so still, he knew a fear stronger than he could ever have imagined. Even the rages of his father when he was a small child dimmed in comparison to the dreaded thought of losing her.
Those hushed hours also gave him time to reflect on his past mistakes. They ate at him. He knew now that he was in love with her—a love so deep it was almost beyond his comprehension. Nothing could have prepared him for such a desperate dependence on someone else to ensure his happiness. He berated himself over and over for his behavior to her when she had needed him the most. He knew love could involve getting hurt, and he had not been sure whether he was ready to risk it. But after his recent visit to his grandmother’s, Peter had quietly reproached him, letting him know he was taking a risk…a risk that a lifetime of complete love and devotion might get away.
That problem had seemed secondary at the time, as he’d assumed Nicole would never forgive him for his boorish actions. He had, therefore, decided he must let her go. He knew now he would not be so foolish again. He intended to show her he could be depended upon in good times and in bad.
Sitting beside her bed at night, the irony of his actions haunted him. After openly accepting the fact that he loved Nicole, he had come back to his grandmother, hoping she could tell him how to soften Nicole’s heart.
Yet when he had stumbled upon Nicole at breakfast the morning he had arrived, had he asked for an opportunity to speak with her? Had he thrown his arms around her and begged her to forgive him? No, he had allowed his surprise to override any intelligent action, and had actually scared her into running from his very presence. Not only bolting from him, but unabashedly entering the dangers she faced bravely on a daily basis without sight!