Page 53 of Taken By the Broken Duke
Juliet had heard of this horrifying technique, based on the principle that maggots would only feed on dead flesh. She nodded.
“Please hurry. I did what I could. I should have brought him back sooner.”
Hall shook his head sharply.
“None of that, Your Grace. You did nae stab him nor did you put him in harm's way. He did that all himself I'll wager. Just give him a bloody dangerous situation and he always did jump in, head first. Bloody foolish.”
He stooped and put one of Horatio's arms about his shoulders, putting his own free arm around his master's waist. Horatio stood, head lolling.
“He's hot as a cannon after a battle,” Hall grumbled, heading for the door.
“Your Grace, may I ask you to have one of the servants fetch a doctor? I will see to it that His Grace is put to bed and made comfortable.”
Juliet nodded, and then realized how Hall had been addressing her.
“I am not a Duchess, Mr. Hall. Not even a Lady. I have no title.”
Hall grunted as he carried Horatio through the doorway into the castle.
“Don't much care for titles. Obvious to me and everyone else who you're going to be. Obvious to anyone who knows His Grace what he'd like you to be. So I speak as I find.”
Juliet found herself blushing. She allowed herself to savor this moment, knowing that it could not last. As Hall carried Horatio towards the nearest staircase, he bellowed for a servant. It was Aunt Margaret who was first to appear though. She glanced at Horatio, then at Juliet, mouth pursing and eyes narrowing. Frances appeared close behind her and was openly astonished to see Juliet had returned.
“What has happened? Is His Grace unwell?” Aunt Margaret asked sharply.
Hall did not pause but ascended the stairs with long-legged strides.
“His Grace has been injured. A doctor will be sent for,” he called over his shoulder.
A servant appeared above him on the stairs, descending rapidly.
“You have instructions awaiting you,” Hall told the man before he disappeared around a bend in the stairs.
The servant reached the bottom of the stairs and naturally addressed himself to Aunt Margaret. It was Juliet who spoke though.
“Kindly ride to the nearest village where a doctor can be found. I imagine that you know where that will be. His Grace has sustained a wound from a blade and it has gone bad. He has a fever,” Juliet said quickly.
The man nodded soberly, accepting the orders, though they came from an unexpected source. Juliet eyed her Aunt, expecting a challenge. But Aunt Margaret nodded to herself, as though satisfied with the instructions Juliet had given. The servant left at a dash, leaving Juliet alone in the hallway with her aunt and cousin.
“I did not expect to see you so soon, cousin…” Frances murmured.
“But thank god you were still here! If the Duke had been alone, goodness knows what would have happened,” Aunt Margaret huffed. “You may well have saved his life!”
Juliet was suspicious of her Aunt's sudden kindness and praise. Frances appeared taken aback by it, staring at her mother in consternation.
“Now that the doctor has been sent for, I think us ladies should settle ourselves to wait. We can take tea in the drawing room,” Aunt Margaret continued.
Juliet shook her head decisively. “No, I shall tend to Horatio.”
“Horatio, is it?” Frances scoffed.
Aunt Margaret studied her niece for a long moment, face unreadable. “Perhaps I have underestimated the depth of feeling you have for him. Is it reciprocated, I wonder?”
“Of course it is not! How could it be? Look at her! She has been tramping through the woods and goodness knows what. What man could possibly be attracted tothat?” Frances raged, almost stomping her foot.
Juliet ignored them both, heading for the stairs. She would not leave Horatio alone in his time of need.
“I will have some tea brought up to you, Juliet. And some bread and cheese to go with it. You look half starved, dear child,” Aunt Margaret tutted.
