Marjorie could distinctly hear the sigh of relief escape from the Earl’s lips and was both entranced and confused by his emotion. Of course he should worry that someone in his employment was almost killed, which made her wonder what had become of Donohue. But was there more to the sentiment than just concern for someone he’d thought to be a stable hand? Could she dare hope this was some deeper affection than mere worry?
“I’ll thank you to step away, you scoundrel!” a new voice shouted angrily, this one all too familiar. A sickening feeling spread in the middle of Marjorie’s stomach as her father continued shouting. Could this be any worse?
“Scoundrel? I beg your pardon,” Evan said sharply, rising to his feet to confront his accuser.
“You heard me, you vicious upstart. I know what you’ve been up to, what you’ve been plotting!” Charles Acton shouted for all to hear. “First with the theft of my horse, and now… this? What in God’s name is going on here?”
Marjorie opened her eyes again to dimly see her father pointing at her. It did not escape her notice that he had not once come near her, nor asked if she was all right. Instead, his tone of forced indignation told her he was prepared to play a part he’d written for himself, that of the wronged but innocent victim.
But that man…she thought weakly, struggling to place him.That man… the man in the stable, the one who set the fire… I know him…
“I know not what you speak of!” Evan roared, fighting back his rage at the marquess’ accusations. “You know quite well that I’ve agreed to purchase your horse!”
“And have you?” Charles shot back. “No. You’ve taken advantage of my generosity and helped yourself to an additional horse in the bargain!” He pointed to the stragglers who wandered around the enclosure, gesturing to the horse Marjorie had ridden over on the day of the ill-fated race. “I see that you’ve also appeared to take advantage of my daughter as well!”
The Earl turned and his shoulders slumped, his expression one of anguish. Marjorie knew instinctively what he was seeing, and her heart very nearly stopped.
* * *
“That is not what it seems,” the Earl began in a quiet voice. “There is a sound explanation, and when we’ve tended to those who’ve been injured, I will tell you what I know.”
“There is nothing you need to say to me, only to the magistrate,” Charles replied, sneering. “I’ll send my man to fetch the constable at once.”
One of the stable hands stepped forward, eager to defend his employer, but Evan waved him back gently with a shake of his head.
“Then see that you do. Send for him immediately so that we may clear this matter up and exert our care over those who need it.”
Evan motioned to the physician and together they bent to lift Marjorie. She cried out at the unexpected pain of their touch, but gritted her teeth against any further sound. Turning her, they placed her in the horse blanket that some of the riders held outstretched between them. As they began to walk to the house, Charles bellowed once more.
“Where do you think you’re going? That is my daughter, and she’ll be coming home to Windle Manor at once!”
“Stop acting like a horse’s ass…My Lord,” the physician said, turning to cast a glance over his shoulder. “She is my patient at the present, and I will treat her where I see fit. There is a strong possibility she might not survive the trip to your home and therefore will be unable to marry her way out of your debts.”
Charles suddenly turned deathly pale. The mere mention of his money woes brought him back to his senses. He nodded gravely and the men turned to carry her to the house, leaving him to stand there uselessly.
“Careful, lads,” Evan said to his employees. “The path is rocky, don’t turn a foot when you’re not looking. And pray, do not drop her!”
Together, the team worked to carry their parcel as easily as could be over the uneven ground. Marjorie never uttered a sound, but Evan could not tell whether that was because they weren’t paining her or if she was simply trying not to let them know it.
Ahead of them, Evan saw the most unusual sight: a finely dressed woman of advanced years running at full speed towards them. When he realized it was his own lady mother, there was an excellent possibility he would have stumbled in his shock.
“Mother! What are you doing?” he called, but the panic-stricken look on her face prevented him from speaking further.
“My son!” she cried, taking in the sight of the soot-covered, bedraggled men and the plumes of gray smoke in the distance. “I was gone into town when I heard the news. Is everyone all right? Who is this, is he…please tell me he’s all right!”
With a nod of his head, Evan called one of the other hands to take the physician’s place at Marjorie’s shoulder. Dr. Garret passed off his hold on the blanket to the younger man and took Lady Lanercost’s hands in his.
“Come, My Lady. We’ll see you safely inside and I will let you know the details.” He smiled reassuringly, although his countenance was still grim.
“But everyone… everyone is all right, aren’t they?” she continued, trying to see who was being carried. Her face contorted with a confused look, but she said, “I must know! Is everyone all right?”
“There’s time enough to talk about that. Let’s go inside so that I might treat this patient, hmm?” He continued to lead the way to the house, ignoring the older woman’s weak attempts at turning back to the stables.
“Of course, just tell me what I can do! Tell me, I’ll send every servant to assist you!”
“That would actually prove most helpful, My Lady. Let us rally your staff and have them prepare anything we might need.” The physician guided her gently away from his patient so that she might not get too close of a glimpse. “I know we’ll need water and clean linens, and a place for me to attend to the patient, somewhere away from your fine rooms, of course.”
“Nonsense! Bring that young man straight inside and into my own chambers, if you need!” Lady Lanercost insisted urgently. “Wait, my husband’s study… I mean, my son’s study… it is closer and on the first floor. There’s a wide settee that might be suitable.”
