“It is most unwise, sir,” she managed to whisper, but he took her hands and held them tightly. “I… I cannot see how this ends well…”
“Then think not of the ending. Only keep your eyes affixed on our beginning,” he answered softly.
He leaned closer to her and for a moment Beatrix anticipated another heavenly kiss, similar to the stolen moments in the stable. Her breath caught and her heart began to race in anticipation, even as her mind warred with her emotions.
The sound of thundering footsteps approaching the courtyard caused them to move apart, putting a proper distance between them. Beatrix followed Lord Bellton’s gaze to where a horse and rider approached, both of them seemingly disappointed at the reappearance of the Earl of Weavington.
“Good morning to you, Bellton,” the older man called out as he slowed his horse, intent on ignoring Beatrix. “You’re up and about awfully early.”
“That I am, Weavington. I have business to attend to, even at this early morning hour. I assume you’ve come for Peter?”
“No, though I’m sure he’ll be along shortly. I’ve come to continue our conversation last night, as well as propose a business arrangement,” the older man said, climbing down from the saddle with great difficulty. A stable hand rushed forward with a stool to help the Earl down, but the man waved him off.
“What sort of business arrangement might that be?” Lord Bellton asked, coming closer to Beatrix almost protectively.
“I spent last evening writing some letters on your behalf. I understand that conundrum you must be in, facing the loss of your best friend to marriage and inheritance, so I’ve sought to find you a suitable wife of your own.” The older man cast a quick glance at Beatrix, and she couldn’t help but notice that he seemed somewhat triumphant.
“And that is once again my cue to depart,” she said, turning to Lord Bellton with a sympathetic but determined look. “Thank you for your hospitality as of late, but I must take my leave.”
“Wait! Please don’t leave yet, wait but a little,” Lord Bellton called desperately, turning and shooting a look of pure rage at the Earl. “Let me at least have a carriage arranged.”
He waved to a stable hand and gestured towards the carriage house, smiling with relief when the lad nodded in understanding and hurried to obey. Beatrix was already leaving the courtyard, striding with great purpose that would put the house and all its noble dealings behind her.
“Beatrix… Lady Beatrix! Please, wait a moment,” Lord Bellton called out, but she did not slow her stride.
Beatrix could still feel the burning gaze of the pompous old man behind them, the one who’d intentionally broached the subject of marriage in front of her as though she were a stoic servant who made a point of paying no heed to the affairs of their “betters.” No, it was better that she leave Lord Bellton to his guests and move on.
“Please wait,” he said breathlessly. “I beg you, do not depart this way. If you must go, it will take only moments for the carriage to be ready.”
Beatrix stopped and looked at him, his eyes pleading with her to change her mind. She felt her resolve begin to wane and for only a moment, she wondered what it would be like to cause extreme vaporous distress to someone like that Earl. She had only made up her mind to delay when a shout of alarm and a guttural scream of pain sounded from the stables.
Callum grasped Beatrix’s hand in his and together they ran back up the stones to the courtyard. Passing the Earl, who stood immoveable and open-mouthed in shock, they hurried into the carriage house adjacent to the stable. There, pinned beneath the wheels of one of the carriages, the old coachman lay on the ground, his face deathly pale from the agony.
“Please, My Lord! My leg!” he managed to gasp, reaching futilely for his limb. Callum snapped to, calling out orders to others nearby to lift the carriage off the unfortunate man.
“Wait! It must be done slowly!” Beatrix cried out.
“What? But why?” Callum asked, already reaching for a handhold on the rear of the carriage.
“If you move it too quickly, the blood flow will race. His heart might be overwhelmed and if there is an open wound, he may bleed to death. You must lift it slowly!” Beatrix took off her apron and held it at the ready, crouching down beside the poor man before nodding at the others.
Together, Callum and the servants did as Beatrix had instructed. She kept a hand at the man’s wrist to feel for his heartbeat while watching the upper portion of the man’s leg. As she’d feared, a dark pool of blood instantly began to fan out from a wound beneath the layers of clothing.
Beatrix pressed her apron to the wound and quickly tied the strings around his leg to help staunch the flow. Behind her, Weavington fretted in a most ungracious manner.
“Bellton, get that girl out of there and send someone for the physician! Who knows where her hands have been as of late, her kind are not known for cleanliness,” the man wheezed.
“Would someone please get him out of here?” Callum roared to no one in particular. The stablemaster muttered a very insincere “begging yer pardon, my lord” before shoving the Earl out of the carriage house rather roughly. Relieved, Callum asked, “What must we do now, Lady Beatrix?”
“I need a number of supplies,” she answered, her voice shaking slightly. “First, I hate to admit that windbag was correct. I must have fresh water to wash my hands. Then someone hurry to tell the kitchen to heat more water in the largest clean kettle, burn some needles in a flame and rinse them under clean water, ensure there are a large number of strips of cloth for bandages, and then send someone to the gardens. He may require yarrow, nettle, or shepherd’s purse, any of those will suffice to help with the bleeding. Also, feverfew to help prevent infection.”
“Go, men!” Callum shouted, sending more servants about their tasks. “How shall we move him?”
“When they return, we’ll need a sturdy beam or a table upended to place him on. We can carry him inside that way,” Beatrix said. “It would be best to ensure his room is near the kitchen for now, at least until we have him out of danger!”
“Of course, whatever you require,” Callum replied. “I will send for the physician, but it will be a great amount of time before he might return. There is none closer than a half a day’s ride from here. If you can help this poor man at all, you will have my undying gratitude!”
Beatrix nodded absently as she lifted the edge of her apron to inspect the poor man’s injury. A bright crimson bloom spread out from the point where the wheel had done the most harm. She pressed her apron back firmly and held it tightly until the servants might return to carry him inside.
