Page 15 of The Hired Hero
“Just a little bit more,” muttered the doctor.
“Hurry,” snapped Davenport.
With a last wrench, the bone popped back into the socket. Caroline collapsed back against the pillow, her face as white as the surrounding sheets.
“Brave girl, well done.” Davenport unconsciously brushed a damp tendril of hair from her brow as he spoke.
Caroline managed a weak smile. “Not missus…didn’t throw a fit of vapors…”
“No, indeed.”
She was about to speak again—and then was suddenly, violently, sick.
As the earl stared down in dismay at his ruined shirt and breeches, an oath escaped his lips.
The doctor cleared his throat. “I shall call for Mrs. Collins. I’m sure she will be able to take care of…tidying up.”
He placed a small vial on the table. “Here is more laudanum for the pain she will undoubtedly feel when she wakes. Mrs. Collins knows the dose.” He snapped his bag shut and regarded the earl with what Davenport could have sworn was a glint of amusement. “Shall you be able to manage?”
Davenport muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
“I shall call again tomorrow morning. Have a pleasant day, milord.”
* * *
The day,mused Davenport late that evening, had gone from bad to worse. Sighing, he kicked off his boots and stretched his stockinged toes toward the sputtering fire. The challenge was going to be even more difficult than he had imagined. His eyes strayed to the open ledger on his desk. No matter how he juggled the columns, the debts were staggering, and it would be some time before he could hope to make a dent in them.
Perhaps Jarrett was right.
His jaw tightened as he shook off the thought. The family’s honor had meant nothing to his father or his brother. However, he was determined to do all in his power to see that it sank no further. Even without the promise to his mother, he would have done no less. But he had always lived up to the promises he had made to her, he thought grimly, though she had no idea what it had cost him. The price to restore Highwood would be paltry in comparison.
With a sigh, he took up the poker and raked out the dying embers.
Upstairs, as he made his way to his bedchamber, he was startled by a noise that was coming from the room of his mysterious stranger. He paused for a moment, then pushed open the heavy oak door at the sound of another cry. She was having a nightmare. Her shoulders were writhing beneath the coverlet as if she were trying to struggle free from some imagined bonds.
“No!” she gasped weakly. “No!”
Davenport put down his candle and took her hand. It immediately tightened around his, surprising him with the strength in the slender fingers.
“Tell him…” she muttered.
He leaned in close to her lips. “Tell him what?” he asked softly.
Her breathing was rapid and ragged. “Don’t worry—I…” Her voice was barely audible. “I can take care of myself.” Then she lapsed into silence.
The earl held her hand until he felt the tension ebb out of her grip and her breathing settle. After tucking her hand carefully back under the covers, he left for his own room to face his own demons.
Six
The doctor left off probing at Caroline’s shoulder and stepped back with a satisfied look. “You’re recovering from your injuries remarkably well, miss. Another day of bed rest, and you may begin to get up and move around.” A slight frown. “Of course, your arm will take longer to mend. I imagine it will ache like the devil for some time.” He paused and gave her an appraising look. “I must say, I’ve never seen a female show the fortitude of…”
“Of a man?” Caroline suggested, a slight smile stealing over her lips. “I’m not sure whether you mean that as a compliment or an insult.”
“Oh, for you, miss, quite the first, I assure you.” He rose to leave. “I shall call again in a few days. In the meantime, Mrs. Collins will see to it that you build your strength, and His Lordship…”
Caroline found herself wondering just what His Lordship would see to.
“Good day to you, miss. And good luck.”
