Page 143 of The Sisters of Sea View
Viola stood there, hunched over, face in her hands, pain throbbing through her mouth.
Had her lip broken open again? The scar split? She tasted blood and salty tears.
Colin Hutton stood at her side. “Miss Vi? Are you injured?”
Sarah touched her arm. “Is it your mouth?”
Viola nodded and Sarah drew in a sharp breath. “Oh no.”
Mr. Hutton senior said, “Come, let’s get her to Westmount. Mr. Bird is there with Jack. Perhaps he might help.”
Sarah gave her a handkerchief, and Viola wiped her nose, slowly raising her head. All around her, eyes stared. She pressed the cloth to her mouth.
Mr. Hutton waved to two youths perched on the seat of a farm wagon. “Take these ladies to Westmount. It isn’t far.”
“Aw, sir. The cricket.”
Mr. Hutton offered the youth a gold coin, and he snapped to attention. “In that case, sir, right away.” He elbowed his mate from the bench.
Colin and Armaan helped Viola and Sarah into the back of the wagon, and Mr. Hutton gave Emily a hand onto the bench with the driver.
Georgiana appeared, Nero in her arms, and restored him to his mistress.
Vi called to her, “Please take Mrs. Gage home for me, after the match.”
“I will,” Georgie called back. “Don’t worry.”
The wagon lurched into motion, and Colin, Armaan, and Mr. Hutton started across the field on foot to meet them at Westmount.
Gesturing to the retreating Colin, Toot Salter addressed the opposing team. “If ’ee don’t have another player to replace him, that means we win.”
“I will play,” Georgie offered.
The dandy with the flower in his waistcoat button scoffed. “You are but a girl.”
Mr. Wallis apologetically shook his head. “This is a gentleman’s game, miss.”
“Let her play,” Viola heard Mr. Henshall call as the wagon pulled away. “I’ve seen her bat. She is better than most of you lot....”
Arriving at Westmount a few minutes later, Viola saw the surgeon, Mr. Bird, just leaving. The major came out of his room to see what all the hubbub was about.
“What’s going on?”
“Miss Summers is here. And her sisters.”
“I told you. I don’t want to see anyone. I am in no mood for a social call.”
“Viola’s hurt.”
“What?” His head snapped up. “How? Is she all right?”
His father delayed the surgeon’s departure. “Mr. Bird, could you please take a look?”
Not another surgeon, Viola thought.And please, God, not another surgery.
Tears blurred her vision as she looked at her sisters. “I’m th-thcared.” In her distress, she lisped the word.
Sarah squeezed her hand. “All will be well.”
