Page 79 of A Duchess Disciplined

“Of course,” Catherine replied. “Sometimes, accidents happen. That is all. If I have a moment to gain my bearings, I am certain that I will be fine.”

“If you say so,” Hester said, biting her lip. “I have heard that head wounds can be very troublesome and unpredictable.”

“Where did you hearthat?” William asked, sounding horrified.

Hester wrinkled her nose. “I do not recall.”

“Young ladies should not learn abouthead wounds,” William said. “That is entirely inappropriate.”

“William,” Catherine said tiredly. “Please. I promise that I will be fine. While I do appreciate your concern, you do not need to worry about me.”

Catherine’s vision blurred, and she laid back down. William’s expression became even more anxious, something which she had previously thought impossible. She took a deep breath, trying to manage the pain before, but the pain was so intense that her eyes burned with tears.

“Should we send for help?” Hannah asked tentatively.

William looked at his sister as though he was surprised to find her still standing there. His gaze snapped back to Catherine.

Concerned that William might summon the entire household to tend to what she was certain was a minor, albeit painful, injury, Catherine forced herself back onto her elbows. The pain in her skull intensified, and she lowered her head, blinking back tears.

Deep breaths. Slow breaths.

“Be careful,” William said. “No—lie back down.”

Catherine inhaled deeply and slowly sat up. Pain traced along her spine. It was a dull and pulsing sensation. She wondered if it was her own heartbeat that she felt, pulsing in time to her pain.

“Catherine,” William growled.

“I amfine!” she snapped. “Give me a moment. I want to sit upright.”

Hannah hurried to her side and sat, staring at Catherine with wide eyes. She forced a smile for the little girl, hoping to reassure her. “Your brother worries too much,” Catherine said. “See? It is just a little thing.”

Hot tears fell down Catherine’s face, from where she had been unable to hold back her tears.

“It does not look like a little thing,” Hester said, wringing her hands in the skirts of her gown.

“Nonsense,” Catherine said.

Taking a deep breath, Catherine shakily climbed to her feet. The world swayed beneath her feet, and she stumbled about a few steps. William wrapped an arm around his waist and, with a practiced motion, lifted her into his arms. Catherine’s world went black for a moment, and her head?—

Her headhurt. Being in William’s arms usually made her feel wanted and secure, but at the moment, she just felt disoriented. Catherine began to regret her decision to stand. Her breath came in haphazard pants of air, and acid burned in her throat.

“We are taking you back to the house,” William said sternly. “For once in your life, do as I say and do not fight me on this.”

Although Catherine would have normally felt the impulse to argue, the pain in her head destroyed any thoughts of arguing with William. She did not move, and William carried her effortlessly through the garden and into the maze.

Catherine closed her eyes, hoping it might aid the disorientation coursing through her. It did not help. If anything, it only made her more acutely aware of how hurt she was.

“How long will it take the physician to arrive?” Hester asked.

“An hour,” William replied.

Catherine shook her head, which was a dreadful lapse of judgment. She swallowed hard, forcing down the taste of vomit. “I do not need a physician.” Her voice sounded as though it came from far away, as if she was someone else entirely. “I told you that.”

“And given that you just fell on your head, I have decided that your judgment is not to be trusted,” William said.

That was, admittedly, a valid argument. Catherine sighed. Silence fell between them. She kept her eyes closed and tried to distract herself by identifying all the sounds around her. Birds chirped cheerfully, oblivious to anything being amiss. Gravel crunched beneath William’s hessian boots and beneath his sisters’ slippers. They must be approaching the house.

She jostled a little, and William’s gait changed. Her guess was that he was climbing the stairs at the entrance of the house. Catherine opened her eyes just a little and hissed between her teeth. Bright light filled her vision, and she wanted nothing more than to climb into bed, pull the linens and counterpane over her head, and just sleep for about a week.

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