@lightsailing continued from [x]
It is difficult to say what is the most jarring aspect of this unexpected visitation of the young earl’s daughter. While her presence alone was shocking considering he had only entertained her here twice before and with appropriate company, that she would arrive in such a state was absolutely inexplicable ( for who in their right mind would cause such damage to a woman in a time of peace? ) it was in fact her accent which left Andre flatfooted.
When she spoke again, he shook himself of the astonishment sharply and stepped back, motioning her in as he gazed past her in case anyone happened to have followed her here. Closing the door after she had passed, he bolted it and made his way quickly as he could manage to where he kept his alcohol. He was not fast on this damnable leg, but thankfully his cottage was a small thing indeed, and it did not take long to acquire what he needed and bring it over to her.
“This will help numb the pain,” He explained, unstoppering the bottle and setting it down for her. “There are no surgeons near here.” Not near enough for a wound like that, at least. She would have been wiser to have turned another way, he was certain. What was worse, he had never truly needed to function without one what with the fact his sister had been such an expert on the matter. Unfortunately she was in France, leading in all that he could not and would not in this chosen exile of his – but he could not simply do nothing.
“We may be able to bind it up – “ Damn propriety when a life was at stake, “Once we stop the bleeding, I can ride for a surgeon, if you will it.” He would not take liberty, regardless – no matter what he did here, the earl was sure to hold him accountable, so it seemed to Andre better instead to focus on the girl herself. In truth, of the two, it was her opinion which mattered more to him either way.
Ocean Archive 