Page 67 of Christmas at Castle Dunrannoch
“None of that, Buckie!” Rye knew he needed help. “Run for Campbell, quickly.”
Ursula was down on her knees already, checking for signs of life.
“He’s breathing, and moving his fingers. There’s no blood. His head looks fine.” She looked up at Rye, her eyes wide with their own terror at what she’d just witnessed.
“What happened?” Cameron raised his chin a little then whimpered in pain.
“You’ve had a fall.” Ursula took Cameron’s hand. “Just tell me where it hurts.”
Despite her fear, Ursula was doing a marvellous job. Rye felt a surge of pride.
“My shoulder,” Cameron gasped. “It’s happened once afore. A dislocation. Hurts like the devil.”
“We need to get it back in the socket.” Rye looked from Cameron to Ursula. “Miss Abernathy, can you follow my instructions?” Though Rye had a firm grip on Charon, the stallion was still skittering. He couldn’t afford to let him go, nor trust Ursula to hold him.
“I d-don’t know.” Ursula looked as if she might be sick.
“Please.” Cameron was begging now. “I’m afraid I’ll pass out.”
“You can do it, Miss Abernathy.” Rye kept his voice level. “Take his wrist and bring the arm directly upward, then pull it straight.”
Ursula stood, taking Cameron’s arm and doing exactly as Rye instructed. Cameron gave a ghastly groan and then a sharp cry before falling quiet again.
Gasping with relief, Ursula buried her head in her hands.
All at once, two different doors opened across the courtyard. From one emerged Campbell, who ran to take Charon from Rye’s weary arms. From the other came Lady Balmore; Aunt Arabella flew across the cobblestones like a harpy from Hell.
The shriek she gave was most piercing.
“Cameron, my love!” Pushing Ursula out of the way, she fell beside her nephew. “You can’t be dead! I won’t allow it!”
Rye was dumbstruck. His aunt had never given the impression of caring for anyone in particular. Even her love for her daughter, Fiona, seemed lukewarm.
“How could you?” She turned to Rye with eyes blazing. “You know that horse isn’t safe. What were you thinking? It should have been shot after it threw Brodie.” Her shoulders heaved in great sobs.
“Your nephew’s going to be alright.” Ursula ventured toward Lady Balmore. “It could have been much worse.”
“Don’t touch me!” Lady Balmore smacked away Ursula’s hand. “He might have been killed! And it would have been your fault, stupid girl. He would never have attempted getting on that monster if he hadn’t been trying to impress you.”
Ursula staggered back, her face a horrible shade of grey.
“Now just hold on.” There was no way Rye was going to stand by and see Miss Abernathy maligned for something that wasn’t her doing. “You’re actin’ madder'n a steer with a thorn in its side.”
“What did you say?” Lady Balmore fell suddenly still.
“You’re not thinkin’ straight, Arabella. It was an accident, pure and simple.”
By now, a small crowd had gathered. Fiona scuttled over to her mother, placing her arms around her shoulders, while Lady Iona came running to her son.
“Let’s get everyone inside.” The countess made her way through. “If Cameron’s had a fall, he’ll be in shock. Best to keep him warm. You’ll help, Rye? Can you carry him? We’ll make him comfortable in the library.”
Rye nodded.
An accident, he’d said.
He just wasn’t altogether sure he believed it.
Chapter Fifteen
