Page 27 of Only a Lyon Will Do
“He’ll never win her so no need to worry on that account.”
“I’m not worried about him winning her through any honest means, but I wouldn’t put it past him not to do something more devious,” Asher said concerned for his lady’s safety.
“He’s not that stupid.” Lucius downed his drink before setting the empty glass on the tray of a passing servant. “Shall we have a go at another game?”
Asher contemplated the possibilities of keeping his winning streak alive. He stole a glance at the balcony where the ladies would stand to watch the men gamble, but Patience was nowhere in sight.
Asher shook his head. “I think I’ll call it a night and quit while I’m ahead. I’ll see you at White’s tomorrow.”
He called for his carriage to be brought around and went to gather his coat. As he headed toward the street to wait for his driver, he was struck a blow to the back of his head that brought him to his knees. Stunned, he felt himself taken by both arms toward the dark alleyway between two buildings. Fists began to fly, striking Asher repeatedly until he was staggering to remain upright. Dazed and confused and unable to defend himself, it wasn’t until a familiar voice whispered in his ear that Asher knew who was behind the assault.
“Pompous prick,” Pitt sneered before Asher felt a blade being pushed into his flesh. “You’ll never beat me again.”
Pitt pulled the blade out and took off as Asher fell back down to his knees. Blood gushed from his side, and he knew he would need to find help soon or he might bleed to death. The sound of a carriage coming to a halt nearby brought him hope and he forced himself to get to his feet. He barely made it to the sidewalk before he fell to the ground in agony. A groan left him and he heard a door being flung open.
“Asher?” The sound of Patience’s voice was like that of an angel. “Cassandra, ask someone to send Dr. Thornberry to your residence. Darby, come help me get Lord Rowley into the carriage.”
“Yes, Mrs. Moore,” Cassandra’s driver answered, and he came over to help Patience.
“Asher, can you hear me, darling?” Patience asked as two bouncers came running to help. “Be careful, he’s been injured.”
“Yes, madam,” Theseus and Egeus said in unison.
“Patience… I can’t be taken to your friend’s house. Get me to mine,” Asher managed to whisper through clenched teeth.
“Cassandra’s is closer,” she replied as she got into the carriage after Asher had been settled. She lifted her gown and began tearing one of her petticoats in strips. She then moved his waistcoat aside to hold the linen against the wound.
“Get a move on, Darby, and hurry,” Cassandra called out to the driver.
The sound of the leather reins being slapped sent the horses into motion, the jolt of the carriage causing Asher to groan in despair. He wished he could have said a word of thanks to the ladies who had come to his rescue. He wished he could have protested that Patience’s reputation would be in ruins, but he couldn’t manage to do more than moan with the first rut in the road the carriage hit. He had passed out cold from the pain by the time they rounded the first corner of the street.
Chapter Nineteen
Patience wrung outthe cloth in the basin filled with cool water and placed it over Asher’s forehead. He had been burning up with a fever for the past several days. In his delirium, he constantly called out her name and she took some comfort knowing he wanted her by his side. Thankfully, his fever had broken, but she would continue to worry over his health until he finally opened her eyes. In the meantime, she constantly sent a prayer to the heavens in between her acts of care for the man she loved.
Dr. Thornberry inspected the wound at Asher’s side and replaced the bandage. Wiping his hands on a towel, he took off his spectacles and stood. “You saved this man’s life with your quick thinking, Mrs. Moore. Most ladies wouldn’t have ruined a petticoat to use as a makeshift bandage.”
Patience ran her fingers down Asher’s cheek. “I couldn’t allow the man I love to bleed to death, Doctor. The clothing can be replaced but Lord Rowley cannot.”
“Your compassion toward your patient is to be commended, Mrs. Moore. I was right to hire you for my practice when Mrs. Dove-Lyon made the suggestion. I’d be honored if you’dconsider staying on. I could use the extra help,” Dr. Thornberry said with a hopeful gaze in his eyes.
“I’ll have to discuss the matter with Lord Rowley. Since we have come to an understanding, I’m not certain he would wish me to continue to work,” Patience replied, although the thought of continuing to remain helpful to the doctor held some appeal.
“Just so you know the offer stands, Mrs. Moore. You’re welcome to work for me at any time or for however many hours during the week you might be available.”
Patience nodded. “Thank you for the consideration, Dr. Thornberry. I’ll send word as to my decision as soon as I’m able.” She bit her lower lip while her eyes returned to Asher laying pale on the bed. “When will he wake?”
“You know as well as I do that these things happen in their own time, but I have a feeling he’ll be up dancing a lively quadrille with you in no time. Just give him a chance to recuperate,” he said in an encouraging tone. “You know where to find me if you need further assistance. Otherwise, I’ll be back in a week to see how his wound is healing.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done for him, Doctor,” Patience replied as she escorted the man to the door.
Patience returned back to her patient to once again take the cloth from Asher’s forehead and dunk it in the basin of water. Once it was replaced, she leaned forward to kiss his cheek. When she opened her eyes, she was pleasantly surprised to see he was staring at her with a smile.
“I think I must be dreaming,” Asher said before reaching to take her hand.
“You gave us all quite the fright, my love,” Patience replied as she studied his features as though to memorize them. Bending forward, she pressed her lips lightly on his own. “You still have a slight fever, but Dr. Thornberry says you’ll recover in no time. Do you remember what happened to you?”
His brow furrowed before he raised his hand to the back of his head. “I remember leaving the Lyon’s Den and then being hit over the back of my head.”
