“Martin, please show the doctors to the library and offer them a drink. We will join you directly.”
With the doctors’ departure, Oliver turned his attention to her. “Can you tell us what happened?”
“I will, but first I must go to Megan. She must be wondering what is going on. It was she who rode for help.”
Oliver smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Ah, my stout-hearted lass.”
“Sit with Garrett and I will return shortly.” Abbie turned to leave, then halted. “I will take a light meal in here. I will not be leaving his side.”
“As I surmised,” Oliver said. “I will make the arrangements.”
Abbie lifted her skirts and hurried upstairs. Glancing at the front of her riding habit, she shuddered at the sight of the blood. The outfit was no doubt ruined, but she didn’t care. Garrett was alive. It was all that mattered.
Megan stood as soon as Abbie entered the room. “Is he…”
“Alive, yes. The earl’s physician arrived from London and stitched the artery closed. Garrett is resting.”
Megan exhaled and sat on the edge of the bed. Abbie joined her and slipped her arm about her daughter’s shoulders. It was then the floodgates opened. Abbie cried, sobbing piteously, allowing all her pent-up emotions free.
Megan hugged her. “Oh, Mama. You do love him.”
Abbie laid her head on her daughter’s shoulder. “This has hit me hard. I do have deep feelings for Garrett. Yes, I love him. Perhaps I never stopped. Are you upset to hear this?”
“No,” Megan hedged.
“You don’t mind?” Abbie sniffled as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“I admit that finding out Garrett Wollstonecraft is my father was, and is, shocking. Upsetting, even. However, I believe we will become friends. I’ve also gained a grandfather, uncle, and cousins. Megan laughed lightly. “And if you do decide to marry him someday? We can live here at the hall, with horses and servants. And with Jonas nearby? How exciting!” Megan sobered. “How selfish I sound. Truly, your happiness comes first, Mama. I do wish you to be happy above all else. The decision is yours to make. I will not stand in your way.”
“My, you are growing up. How very wise of you, my dear,” Abbie replied softly.
“I’d like to do something for Garrett. He sounded sad when he spoke of his grandfather and the Scotch collie. Is it possible for us to buy him another? Having a new puppy will help him recover, I’m sure of it. And it will keep him company when we return home.”
“How considerate,” Abbie smiled. “I will broach the subject with the earl.”
Abbie hugged her daughter. Thank God she was softening toward Garrett at last, enough to make a thoughtful suggestion. It was a good start. First, Garrett had to recover before anything else was decided—and Abbie would not get a moment’s rest until he did.
* * * *
Garrett could not make sense of where he was. His mind was fuzzy; his surroundings lay in shadow and chaotic confusion. Last he remembered he was out riding with Abbie and Megan. I was shot. Yes, he understood he’d been wounded. Drifting in and out of consciousness, he’d managed to pick up snippets of conversation. Arguments. Talk of amputation. Possible infection. Fever. And of death.
A narrow band of light lay ahead of him. Walking toward it, he realized the light was actually a wall of flame. He was carrying something, a log for the fire? He glanced down and screamed.
He carried his own severed arm.
His eyes popped open and Abbie wiped his brow, speaking soothing words. His arm! He found it was still attached, though he couldn’t move the damned thing. Bloody hell, why wouldn’t his eyes focus? There were people in the room, but they all disappeared in a swirl of mist. Stay awake. But he could not. Fatigue washed over him and all grew dark.
* * * *
“Is there anything we can do, Doctor?” Abbie asked, her voice filled with anguish over Garrett’s delirious state.
“Unfortunately, we must allow the fever to run its course. There is much we can do to assist it along. I am not a believer in sweating out a fever. Garrett must be kept cool. Keep the windows open. Put out the fire. We will need tarps to lie across him and the bed. And we will need ice. Plenty of ice to lay on the tarps. We must bring his temperature down,” Faraday stated, his voice grave.
“Martin, see it done. Bring enough ice from the ice house to cover Master Garrett and the bed itself,” the earl ordered.
“I will prepare a nostrum that I often use for fevers,” Faraday said. Oliver nodded and the doctor exited the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Riordan also stood nearby, an apprehensive look on his face. He’d arrived later the first night, and Abbie had been immediately struck at the weariness etched in his countenance. First, to hear of his twin, Aidan, and now his uncle. Gazing at Riordan, it was clear that he loved his uncle fiercely.
“I will do the ice collecting,” Riordan murmured. “I need something to do.”
“Very well,” the earl said. He watched worriedly as his grandson departed. Turning to Abbie, he said, “He took the news about Aidan hard, but this. Sabrina has been a rock. As are you, Abbie.”
Already she and Sabrina had become fast friends, though the socializing came to an abrupt halt when Garrett succumbed to this lingering fever. Abbie continued to wipe Garrett’s feverish brow. “There has certainly been a good deal of drama in the Wollstonecraft men’s lives of late. And it appeared when women entered your sphere.”
Oliver raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying that this is the curse? It affects the women, not the men.”
Abbie met his steady gaze. “And you think that we are not affected by all this?”
“No, that is not what I meant,” he snapped. Oliver shook his head. “Forgive me. My nerves are balanced on the edge of a knife, the same as everyone else’s. The curse is a sensitive subject. We do not speak of it if we can at all help it, but it hovers over us nonetheless. A curse of the broken-hearted.” Oliver frowned. “What disturbs me is that this was a deliberate act. I would call for the constable, but there is nothing to report.”
“I understand. It is frustrating. At first, I thought that it could be a hunter or poacher. But why the second shot so quickly after the initial one, and in the same general vicinity? Too much of a coincidence.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Abbie dipped the cloth in the basin of cool water and continued to wipe the perspiration from Garrett’s flushed face. “To change the subject, Megan mentioned she would like us to purchase a Scotch collie puppy for Garrett. Do you know of where we could procure one without traveling to Scotland? Do you believe Garrett would welcome such a gift?”
Abbie saw doubt flicker across his face—doubt that Garrett would recover. But as quickly as it appeared, a resolute look replaced it. “When you told me that Alec Mackinnon had passed, I experienced a genuine sadness. Garrett adored him. Though I extended numerous invitations through the years, both before and after Moira died, he remained a creature of habit and loathed traveling. So I allowed Garrett to spend several summers in Scotland with his grandparents.” He smiled. “Alec gifted Garrett with a collie years ago. A collie puppy would be welcome, not only to assist with recovery, but a remembrance for his grandfather. Permit me to make inquiries.”
Abbie gave him a warm smile. “Thank you, Oliver.”
“Alberta Eaton has made overtures. I thought to invite her and Jonas this evening. Company for you and Megan. She also wishes to assist, and I do not have the heart to refuse her.” Oliver laid a hand on her shoulder. “Join us for an hour or two. You need a short respite. Bastian can sit with Garrett while we share a meal.”
The thought of leaving his side filled her with fright, but what better person to watch over Garrett than a competent doctor? “I thought Dr. Phillips would suffer apoplexy when he strode into the room. How do you know him?”
Oliver clasped his hands behind his back. “He is impressive. Bastian is the son of a ship builder and a lovely lady from the West Indies, more specifically, Jamaica. She is the daughter of a successful sugar producer. Even though the Faradays are rich in their own right, I wished to sponsor someone at Cambridge. Someone outside Society’s accepted norm. It was a particular achievement, seeing Bastian’s maternal grandfather was a freed slave.”
“I abhorred the existence of a slavery trade. I am relieved it was finally abolished in the commonwealth.”
“It should have passed long before 1838. A stain upon the empire, and I fear it shall be for generations to come. Despite his achievements and the successes of his mother’s family, Bastian, for all his tall, good looks and intelligence, will never fully be accepted into Society. I aim to do all I can to further his cause. Hence the reason I made him my personal physician. Well, that and the fact that he is highly capable.”
“He certainly took charge and saved the day.” Abbie stared at Garrett. “Though this fever worries me.”
“I believe it will pass. Garrett is strong and has much to live for.”
Oliver left her alone. The room was quiet except for Garrett’s ragged breathing. As she trailed the cool cloth across his broad, muscled chest, a distant memory filled her thoughts.