Mary shook her shoulder. “Rose! Wake up!”
What was the matter with her? Mary had been knocked unconscious, yet she had come to. Why was Rose still asleep? And how could she have slept through everything that had happened? She moved her fingers over her sister’s scalp, but she could find no bump. Rose did not even stir.
Mary struggled to her feet and lit the candle on the dresser. She found her handkerchief and dipped it in the washbowl, then returned to kneel beside her sister and bathe Rose’s face with the cool cloth. As she did so, her mind raced. Who was that man? And why was he trying to steal Rose?
Her thoughts went first to her stepfather. But the intruder had been far too large—Cosmo was a narrow, wiry man only a few inches taller than Mary. The man who had flung Rose over his shoulder had been much taller, perhaps even as large as Royce. Mary frowned as she wrung out the cloth and dipped it in cool water again. Her head ached, and her thoughts were fuzzy.#p#分页标题#e#
“Rose. Sweetheart, please wake up. What is wrong with you?” She took her sister’s wrist and found her pulse. It seemed slow but still strong. She patted Rose’s cheek as she called her name.
Rapid footsteps sounded on the stairs, and a moment later Royce entered the room. “I could find no one. I walked all around the inn, but there was no sign of anyone.”
Mary turned to him. “Did you slap me?”
“What?” He stopped and stared at her blankly.
“Earlier, before I came to. I think I felt you slap my cheek.”
Royce grinned and came farther into the room. “A loving tap, that is all. I was trying to wake you.” He set the candle he was carrying on the dresser and came over to kneel beside Rose. “She still has not awakened?”
“No. I think he must have knocked her out, though I cannot find a lump.”
“Who knocked her out? I still have no idea what happened.”
“I woke up a little while ago; I think I heard a noise. And I saw a man carrying Rose. I screamed and jumped out of bed and ran at him. He was trying to climb out the window with her. I grabbed him, and we struggled. Then I heard you coming. And he threw Rose into me, and we both fell. I think I must have hit my head on the bedpost.”
“I don’t understand. Someone came into your room and was trying to take your sister?”
Mary nodded. “I know. It sounds mad. But that is what happened.”
“Who was it?”
“I have no idea. But that is not what concerns me now. Rose won’t wake up, no matter what I do.”
“You think he hit her on the head?” Gently Royce lifted Rose’s head and felt around her scalp. “I don’t feel a knot.”
“Neither did I.” Mary looked at him worriedly. “What should we do?”
“To begin with, let’s get her off the floor.” He scooped Rose up and laid her on the bed, and Mary followed to pull the covers up to her sister’s shoulders.
Mary stood for a moment gazing down at Rose, then she suddenly stiffened, raising her head. “Where is everyone?”
“What?” Royce looked at her.
“Where are Camellia and Lily? And Miss Dalrymple, for that matter. I was screaming at the top of my lungs. Clearly I awakened you.”
“And another chap at the end of the hall. He helped me search the grounds, though I think he believed you had had a nightmare.”
“Oh, God.” Mary whirled and ran out of the room, Royce at her heels.
“Perhaps they stayed in their room,” Royce offered.
Mary shot him a withering glance as she flung open the door to the other girls’ room. “Hiding? Those two?”
“I see your point.”
Royce had had the presence of mind to snatch up the candle as he left Mary’s room, and he lifted it as they walked into Lily and Camellia’s chamber. Two forms lay in the bed, and as they drew closer, they could make out the two sisters, both sound asleep.
Mary and Royce looked at each other. Royce held the candle so that the light shone directly on Camellia’s face; she continued to sleep peacefully. On the other side of the bed, Mary shook Lily’s shoulder. When there was no response, she shook it even harder. Finally, Lily frowned in her sleep, muttered something, and turned over.
“They’ve been drugged. It has to be.” Mary turned to Royce in dismay. “Or poisoned! What shall we do?”
Royce bent over Camellia, so close that Mary thought in astonishment that he was about to kiss her, but he only sniffed once or twice and straightened. “I’ve smelled that before. It’s laudanum.”#p#分页标题#e#
Mary relaxed a trifle. “Thank heavens. That is … you do not think they could have been given too much?”