The Heart of a Duke(62)

They converged in the front foyer, just as Burke, their butler, arrived from the servant quarters, carrying his own light.

“My lord, shall I see who it is and send them packing?” Burke arched a brow.

Despite the hour, her father looked amused. “Ah, why don’t you carry out the former, and depending on that, we will execute the latter.”

“Very good, sir.” The pounding came again.

Burke opened the door, and Julia crowded with Emily behind her father, careful to not be seen as she peered onto the front stoop. Her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes locked on the prostrate form of Daniel in Robbie Tanner’s arms. His face was bruised and bloody, one eye sealed shut, a large coat draped around his waist.

She brushed her father aside and gestured the men in, barely registering the tall, blond man who accompanied them. Her heart thundered, and it was all she could do to stop herself from snatching Daniel from Robbie and carrying him into a room to see what was wrong with him herself. He was too still. Terror, a heaving wave of it, sent her pulse racing.

“Lord Taunton,” Robbie said. “My apologies for the intrusion, and the late hour. We ran into some trouble over by the docks.”

“That is usually where one finds it. Is he all right?”

“He will be.” The blond man spoke with firm conviction, his accent identifying him as an American. “He looks worse than he is, but he has lost a bit of blood. We were hoping you could assist us with procuring a doctor at this late hour.”

Julia took charge of matters, seeing as her father stood stone still. “Please then, hurry. Let us get him settled in a room. This way.” Her fear was assuaged somewhat at the American’s calm assurance. “Burke, can you collect Doctor Malley? Also, have Petie boil some water and bring up towels. Gentlemen, if you would follow me.”

“So this is Lady Juliet. Despite the circumstance, I am honored,” the blond man said as he hurried after her.

“Straight ahead, down this foyer,” Julia directed Robbie, her eyes glued to Daniel’s pale features. At the man’s words, she tore her gaze away, noting his bloodied lip and swelling right eye. Daniel wasn’t the only one in need of a doctor. “I am Lady Julia, and you are?”

“Oh, my apologies, Brett Curtis at your service.” He gave a short brow.

“His business partner.” Her father beamed. “That explains your being by the docks. Most shipping firms are located down there.”

“Yes. Docks tend to be a necessity for large ships to displace cargo,” Brett said, his irony lost on her father.

Julia ignored their conversation as she opened the door to the guest room, and hurried inside to yank down the bedcovers. She moved aside for Robbie to deposit Daniel, then returned to his side. She gasped when the redingote draped around Daniel fell away, revealing his torn and bloodstained jacket.

“Good lord, what happened?” her father exclaimed. “That’s more than trouble. Gunshot?”

“Knife wound,” Robbie clarified.

Julia’s eyes shot to his, and seeing his worried expression, she sprang into action. “Grab me that towel from the commode, let us keep the wound covered.” It will be all right. He will be all right. She wouldn’t let anything happen to him. Because he is mine and . . . She blinked. He was not hers. He was . . . her friend.

Tears blurred her vision, and she fought them back. He was her arrogant, irritating, lovely Sancho Panza who had vowed to take care of her. Well, it was her turn to care for him even as her heart twisted at his stillness. Daniel was a coiled bundle of energy, and she could not bear to see him so calm, so quiet. Silenced.

She bit her lip as Emily handed her the towel. “Let us remove his waistcoat and shirt. Assess how bad it is.”

Brett was already removing Daniel’s Hessian boots.

“Be careful,” she cried as he gave a hard yank, jerking Daniel’s figure.

“I am, but short of cutting them off, it is the best I can do,” Brett said. Seeing Julia’s expression, his voice softened. “He will be fine. He said it was just a scratch. I think he is right, because it didn’t look too deep. He turned to his side at the last minute. He always was quick on his feet.” Pride laced his words.

“Why did he have to be?” she muttered, desperate to know what in the world had transpired at the docks. After Robbie had slipped his redingote from Daniel, she set the towel aside and quickly unbuttoned his jacket and his waistcoat, stepping back for Robbie to remove those as well.

“Ah, Julia . . . Julia, perhaps we should get Petie . . .” her father began.

“Yes, where is she with the extra towels and the water? I told Burke to . . . What is it?” She blinked distractedly when her father grasped her elbow, tugging gently on it.