Finding Bliss

by B L Bierley

  “Her lungs are sound, so I don’t think anything has punctured them. There was a coin blocking her mouth when she was thrown in the water. If anything the coin protected her lungs from the water. But if the man mistreated her, Scarlet,” Eric stopped before he ended the statement. His emotions were very close to the surface.

  “Do you want me to see what else might have been done to her, sir?” Scarlet asked quietly. Eric looked away and nodded, tears streaming down his face like a child. Scarlet patted his hand.

  “That’s very understandable, sir. I know you wouldn’t want anyone else to bother the woman you love. I’ll do it. You needn’t stay if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Go in the bathing chamber if you want. I’ll come and get you as soon as I’m done,” Scarlet said with a sympathetic smile.

  “How did you know?” Eric asked through a wet sigh.

  “It’s been on you since she showed up at the office that first day! I’ve never seen a man fall in love so fast!”

  “I’ve known her since we were children. She is the most important person in the world to me. I just didn’t realize it until she showed up in person to remind me,” Eric gave a watery chuckle. Scarlet patted him.

  “I take it she’s not available to you,” Scarlet asked him as she began looking around for his satchel. Eric realized he didn’t have his usual satchel with him. Then he shook his head in answer to her suggestion that Bliss was forever out of his reach.

  “She’s a lovely thing. It’s a shame, sir. You would make a handsome pair,” Scarlet whispered and turned to the bed. Eric interrupted her as she began to move the covers off of Bliss.

  “Do you need my kit? I can send the messenger back to retrieve it if you need anything.”

  “Maybe after I examine her, I’ll go to your suite and get it for you. But for what I need right now, no medicine or instrument will make a difference.”

  Eric heard her and nodded absently before realizing she was waiting for him to leave. He leaned down and kissed Bliss’s forehead and turned to enter the bathing chamber. He shut the door behind him and sank to the floor letting his emotions boil over in silent, painful sobs.

  In his mind he reviewed everything he knew about Bliss. Always so confident and sure of the world, she managed the people around her with compassion and considerate ease.

  So why didn’t she protect herself? She warned him about trivial things like his marrying someone he would compromise. How was that more important than protecting herself or his father? It didn’t make sense.

  Eric knew that he could ask her why. It would be a simple question. But in saying the words he would cross a bridge. Once he reached the other side he couldn’t very easily go back.

  Eric reminded himself that doubting her note, not considering her message, would have gotten her killed. He wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if that happened. In the end he had believed her.

  He knew somewhere in the recesses of his mind he had always believed her, even when he was a boy. But the act of believing back then meant trusting someone younger and a girl. He didn’t have the feminine connections a mother could have given him, the lessons needed to accept coddling from a girl five years his junior!

  It all boiled down to stubborn male pride. That was what made him keep her at arm’s length all those years they spent apart.

  Bliss must have cared enough about him, like an honorary brother he thought darkly, to be able to keep up with him and his life when he left. She never let him stray. Bliss incorporated into every decision he ever made whether he admitted it or not.

  She wrote him unfailingly while he had been in college, warning him of the dangers of gin and loose women in subtle cues. When she was barely sixteen Bliss was the voice of reason beyond the temptations that kept him from making poor decisions about his career. And he had begrudgingly heeded her every word, without ever once thanking her, even when he watched his friends and colleagues succumbing to all manner of discomforts from bad choices she’d helped him avoid.

  Bliss warned him, the week prior to his board examination finals, to study harder in order to be prepared. He’d spent hours reading and paraphrasing his notes. While others were out at clubs drinking and dabbling in fleshly delights, Eric was in his dormitory reviewing the anatomy of each system with sketches and anecdotal examples. As a result he graduated with firsts and passed his board tests with distinction.

  He owed his success to his peculiar little friend who had grown into a fine woman while he wasn’t looking. Now he wanted her more than air, and she was telling him he would marry as a result of his own folly. It was ironic and cruel.

  Scarlet’s rapid knock surprised him. He stood quickly, swiping at his eyes with his arm and praying his less-than-professional behavior wouldn’t make Scarlet lose respect for him as a surgeon. He opened the door and saw her smiling wide.

  “Sir, she’s fine! There is no evidence that she’s been meddled with at all! She has a few small cuts on her wrists and ankles—probably from where he bound them, and the bruises you mentioned. And I don’t detect any instances of broken bones.

  “It might be good to wake her every hour or so to make sure she doesn’t have a concussion. But other than that she should recover in a day or two!” Scarlet told him brightly.

  Eric sagged against the door frame in relief. Westford hadn’t really hurt her. Not physically, anyway. The news made Eric’s head swim.

  The woman he loved was unharmed. Eric felt a primeval surge of possessiveness that her virtue was still intact. He would have wanted her no matter what, but the fact that she’d been left alone was a brilliant relief. Then realization returned.

  The fact that he was a mere surgeon and she an heiress would be a hard obstacle to overcome. With Lord Penwood’s money and connections, Bliss would be expected to marry a titled gentleman, a duke or marquess, at least. She was beautiful enough to catch any man she wanted.

  Eric made a vow to himself in that shining moment. He would swear off compromising positions and love her enough to try and change fate. He knew he shouldn’t even hope. That didn’t stop him from making a vow never to marry anyone but her.

  Bliss came back into his life for a reason. He would do anything she asked to win her heart. It was the least he could do for the only woman he would ever love!

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Eric, Bristol, April 1811

  Ozzie and Rex paced the hallway until the carpet began to look flattened. When the door opened and the nurse emerged, they were instantly at attention for news. The nurse wasn’t forthcoming with anything, though, as she hurried away down the stair and out the door.

  Eric exited Bliss’s room shortly afterward and closed it behind him. He motioned them away from the upstairs rooms. Ozzie pointed down the stairs to his study. When they entered he poured a glass of bourbon for each of them. Eric accepted the glass, but didn’t drink it. Rex and Ozzie stood near the mantle and waited for Eric to begin.

  “I would appreciate this information being clearly noted in the report. Bliss is fine. Westford didn’t meddle with her other than to tie her wrists and ankles and slap her around a little. She has suffered some bruises that will be visible for a while on her cheeks and a few minor cuts that I’ll attend to when Scarlet returns with my medical satchel. Otherwise she is unharmed.”

  As the words fell Ozzie dropped his glass to the stone hearth. It shattered, sending pieces in all directions and a splash of bourbon into the grate causing a minor flash within the flames.

  “Westford! I’ll murder him! Why! What did he say in defense of his actions!” Ozzie roared.

  “I don’t know, my lord. My only concern was saving Bliss. The constable and his men apprehended him just as we arrived. He had a knife in his coat pocket and a pistol in his hand. We arrived just after he threw Bliss into the Avon. Somehow he’d managed to stick a coin back in her throat before he did it.

  “I pulled her out and dislodged the coin. She’s going to be fine as soon as the bruises heal
. She was very brave! Even after she was fading to sleep, she told me she knew I’d be there,” Eric chuckled. Ozzie was still smoldering with fury over his former friend’s involvement in the scandal.

  “I heard several people talking when they arrested him. Apparently after his performance this evening they decided it was safe to accuse him of acts against their own families. Several men willingly added to the charges with their own daughters’ witness testimony. I think hanging him would be too kind. If I were to be the judge I’d let the fathers and the uncles have a go at him for ten minutes apiece. He’d be begging for the rope,” Eric said with a sneer.

  The forgotten guard cracked his knuckles dangerously.

  “I doubt he’ll make it to the scaffold unscathed. The whole business has made the constable look really bad,” Rex commented with intent.

  “Well, I’m sorry Ollie won’t be here in time to see the bastard swing. He and Luxie and their other children went to visit their younger son at school, and then they were going to meet Luxie’s younger brother and his wife in Brighton before coming back up through Bristol to attend the ball.

  “I’m not sure where to reach him even if I wanted to send word by post. How on earth would I write such news in a letter?” Ozzie whispered more to Dr. Benchley than the guard. Rex excused himself and asked if Ozzie needed him for anything further.

  “No, but you have been most helpful this evening, sir. I’m going to make sure you are commended for being reasonable and useful throughout the entire bad business. Tell your constable he’ll hear from me within the hour to file formal charges against Westford on Lord and Lady Penwood’s behalf.”

  “As you wish, sir,” Rex said quietly and bowed to both men before turning to go.

  Ozzie remembered something and spoke to his retreating form, “Oh, and Rex? I’m fairly sure Ollie will want to reward you for the safe return of his daughter’s maid. Could you be persuaded to return sometime next Monday? If he doesn’t seek you on Friday or Saturday, that is?”

  “Tell him that won’t be necessary. I’m grateful that everything turned out for the good, my lord.” Rex said turning to give another short bow at the door.

  Eric and Ozzie watched him leaving without speaking. The moment the front door shut with a firm sound, Ozzie looked intently at Eric.

  “Tell me now that we’re alone. Did he ... Did Lord Westford molest her,” Ozzie’s voice was a hollow whisper. Eric expected it. He shook his head.

  “No sir. She wasn’t touched in that way. My nurse is a midwife-in-training, and she assured me there was absolutely no evidence of any contact.”

  Eric’s own relief was evidenced in the easy way he admitted this. Ozzie finally relaxed. He collapsed to the overstuffed chair near the hearth and said a quiet prayer of thanks.

  “Sir, I’m going to wait in the room with Bliss until Scarlet returns. If you need anything at all regarding either Lady Osterburg or Bliss’s maid’s care, just have me fetched. I’ll be glad to see to them,” Eric told him.

  “You are a good man, Benchley. But that isn’t necessary. You just look after Bliss. I will care for Lady Osterburg myself, and the maid is fine now that her mistress is returned. The housekeeper can tend to her. I’ve given the girl the evening off to rest.

  “Marla will be in the hall for either lady if the need should arise. Mundy will give you a horse whenever you think it’s safe to leave her side. I know you will have other patients to see to. But the horse and tack are yours to keep. You are a hero, sir.”

  Eric might have tried to protest, but Ozzie remained firm.

  “Our Bliss might have died if you hadn’t found her as quickly as you did. No amount of money could repay a debt like that, I know. But accept the gesture anyway, so my conscience is eased.” Ozzie said—his face suddenly lined with tear stains.

  As much as he wanted to demand Bliss’s hand in marriage as an acceptable reward, Eric knew what he must say.

  “I’ll accept your horse as payment if you wish. But as for gestures, they’re not necessary. It’s my job to heal the sick and the wounded, and that is what I did,” Eric replied graciously.

  “Pardon me, sir, but that’s bollocks! You were here visiting an old friend, you left with a note and came back with a girl some of us already thought lost. That, my young friend, is a miracle. And the horse is a gift, not payment. And I obviously will not accept it being taken in any other way,” Ozzie said with mock indignation.

  Eric lowered his head in semblance of respect. Ozzie walked to the door and hurried up the stairs ahead of Eric. As he passed by the door of the master suite a little while later, he caught a glimpse of Ozzie and Penelope embracing on the bed. He noted that the woman looked worn to a frazzle and hoped that some sleep would help restore her if he couldn’t help her.

  He toyed with the idea that Bliss could not possibly be right about her condition. But that wasn’t doubt in Bliss’s abilities so much as doubt of her interpretation of the symptoms. The two conditions were very similar and many a woman mistook one for the other in his experience.

  When he reached Bliss’s bedchamber a little while later, Eric noticed with alarm that she was wide awake and staring at him as he entered.

  “What are you doing awake? You need sleep and rest. You’ve had a terrible ordeal,” Eric reminded her firmly. Bliss simply looked at him with a smirk and patted the bed beside her.

  Eric’s body urged him to go nearer, while his professional mind told him to stay put. As usual, he compromised. Stepping over, he drew the stool from the nearby dressing table and sat midway between the bed and the doorway.

  “How are you feeling? Would you like to tell me what happened?” Eric asked.

  Bliss cut him off quickly. “How about I answer the other questions you have?”

  “How do you know I have other questions?” He eyed her warily.

  It frightened him how well she knew him. Could she tell he was already in love with her? He forced a calm smile.

  “I know there are two things you desperately want to hear from me. I’ll be happy to answer your questions if you ask them,” Bliss challenged. Eric sighed heavily.

  “Scarlet will be back in a moment. You have a few cuts that need tending, and I didn’t have my bag with me. We’ll talk afterward.”

  “Suit yourself. But putting it off will not prevent the conversation from taking place. And we won’t have so much privacy after tonight. Even though I’m losing a ladies’ maid to watch over me,” Bliss giggled.

  “Why would she leave you? Is she really that upset about the abduction?”

  “No, silly. She’ll be marrying very soon. And you’ve met her husband, no doubt! I like him. I think he’ll prove a valuable friend to you in the future.”

  “Who have I met?” Eric’s mind was suddenly reviewing all the most recent new acquaintances he’d made. But he could only recall the one that made his life hell this evening.

  “Rex is stealing kisses and more from Pauline as we speak. His message to the constable from Uncle Ozzie will be slightly delayed,” Bliss confided with a wink.

  “How do you know that? You’ve not left this room since I saw him leave!” Eric argued quietly. Then he realized his folly.

  Bliss just knew. That was the crux of the problem, as well as the most important thing to discuss when Scarlet left again. Eric sighed and waited, checking Bliss’s pulse and her forehead for fever.

  “Are you hungry? You missed supper. I’d like to examine your throat first, but I don’t think the coin did any permanent damage that would make eating difficult. How about some nice soup broth and a little toast? Maybe a couple of glasses of milk?” Eric offered. Bliss nodded and gave the bell pull a yank. She looked up when Marla entered.

  “What can I fetch for you, Lady Bliss?”

  “Get her some broth, a bit of toast and if there is any beef roast, perhaps a slab of that. A pot of tea and some lemon would be most welcome as well. Thank you,” Eric told the maid.

  Marla bobbed a qu
ick curtsey and retreated. Scarlet passed her in the hall and entered directly after her.

  “There’s our patient! How are you feeling Lady Bliss? I hope our examination wasn’t too rough on you?” Scarlet asked.

  Bliss assured her she didn’t feel anything. Scarlet handed Eric his satchel and stood waiting for further instructions. Eric told her that he would treat the cuts and be on his way very soon. He indicated to Scarlet that he would see her at the office in the morning.

  After asking if she should wait for him, he told Scarlet that it was likely to be a while as he had a few other people to assess before he left, therefore she needn’t wait around for him.

  Eric told her not to hesitate to ask the butler for an escort back to her dormitory. She laughed and said a stable boy accompanied her to and from the office and agreed to wait to escort her back home whenever she was done, all courtesy of Lord Osterburg.

  Eric dismissed the nurse with his thanks. Scarlet wished them both a pleasant evening and hurried back down the stairs.

  Marla returned as Eric was finishing cleaning and bandaging Bliss’s cuts. She laid a complete three course dinner meal out on the escritoire and told Bliss that if she wasn’t up to eating at the desk she could fetch a tray for the bed.

  Bliss thanked her and said she would eat at the desk if Marla would fetch a robe. Marla colored and hurried to the wardrobe to get one. Bliss wrapped the robe around her and tied the sash. As she sat down to begin eating, she asked Eric if he wasn’t hungry.

  “Actually, I am, but I can wait. I wouldn’t dream of taking food from your plate, and besides, that would be most unprofessional and improper of me to eat in your private chambers with you,” he mocked her lightly. Bliss gave him a look of unconcern.

  “Very well, be stubborn if you choose. But no one in the house would say a word against your professional reputation if you ate with an ailing friend,” Bliss sniffed.

  “I hate to trouble Marla,” Eric defended half-heartedly.