Chapter 20
“Iam very pleased to report, Mrs. Hurst, that your husband is not going to die,” the apothecary said with a kindly smile.
“Oh, thank the Lord,” Louisa cried out, slumping against Elizabeth’s shoulder.
After a few moments, she straightened and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “How is he? Is he awake? May I see him?”
She made to stand, but Mr. Jones quickly stepped forward and motioned for her to sit back down.
“I’m afraid your husband is still unconscious, so there is no need to see him immediately. His valet and another manservant are making him more comfortable. Once he is settled, you will be able to sit with him, should you wish to do so.”
“Yes, yes, I would like to do that,” Louisa stammered.
“You said he is still unconscious, Mr. Jones?” Elizabeth asked. “What are his injuries?”
“As far as I can tell, he seems to be in remarkable shape. There is a lump on his forehead that bled a bit, but it stopped on its own before he was discovered. He has no broken bones that I can find, and his lungs and extremities seem to have survived the cold night rather well. All things considered, he’s quite a fortunate man.”
“Then why isn’t he awake?” Louisa asked fretfully.
“Well, the body has its own way of protecting itself. I imagine the blow to the head caused his brain to rattle around a bit.” Mr. Jones hesitated, then added, “His breath also smells as if he had been drinking before he went riding, so that may also be a factor. I expect that he should regain consciousness within the next day or two, if not sooner.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Then we can send for a doctor in town,” Elizabeth said firmly. “But let’s not borrow trouble, hmm? Your husband has been found, and considering his horse was at the bottom of a ravine with a broken leg, the fact that Mr. Hurst only has a lump on the head is quite remarkable.”
This bit of encouragement had its intended effect of lifting Louisa’s spirits. She gave her friend a small smile. “You are correct, Elizabeth. It could definitely be much worse.”
Satisfied that the ladies were well, Mr. Jones excused himself to give the information to the two gentlemen who were waiting outside the rooms. Once he had left, Elizabeth said, “Now, while you wait to see your husband, shall I tell you all about the proposal of marriage I received yesterday?”
Louisa gasped. “What? But who?”
Elizabeth let out a peal of laughter at her friend’s astonished gaze, and the two ladies spent the next half hour giggling as the younger woman related the events of the prior day. Although Elizabeth tried to gloss past her injuries, Louisa insisted on pushing up her friend’s sleeve and seeing the bruises.
She tsked in disapproval. “I have some salve that should ease the swelling and help the marks fade more quickly.”
After fetching it from her trunk, she returned to the bed and rubbed it into the marks. “It’s hard to believe a man of the cloth could behave in such a fashion.”
“It may seem difficult to believe,” Elizabeth said, “but I do not think he intended to be vicious or cruel. I think he merely did not know his own strength. It seemed… it was as if he’d never even been that close to a woman before and wasn’t aware of how delicate we can be. His mind was a bit… simple, like Jane’s, and he is easily led.”
“As opposed to Reggie, who is quite intelligent. I think I know which husband I’d prefer,” Louisa said quietly. “A simple husband you can direct is preferable to a strong-willed one who has no respect for his wife.”
Elizabeth fell silent at this, then replied, “I’m ashamed to admit I’d never thought about it in those terms before. I suppose you are correct. I still cannot see myself married to such a man, however, no matter how easily I might manage him. But neither do I think him to be the worst of men from my encounter with him yesterday; the blame for that lies solely with my mother.”
“She does have valid reasons, does she not?” Louisa asked. “She is unaware of my brother’s desire to wed your sister, and your home will be lost upon your father’s death.” She blushed. “Forgive me, that was a bit forward.”
Elizabeth sighed. “No, you are correct. In that case, some of the blame lies with my father. He could do much to ease her worries, but instead he chooses to amuse himself at her expense.”
The conversation was interrupted by a light rap on the door between the rooms. Mr. Hurst’s valet stood in the open doorway. “He is ready now, ma’am, if you wish to see him.”
“That is my cue, then,” Elizabeth said, standing and smoothing her skirts. Before she left the room, she gave her friend a hug. “Be strong, Louisa. You can do anything you set your mind to,” she whispered.
As Louisa turned back towards the gaping door that would lead to her husband’s bedside, she repeated those words toherself. Slowly, she stepped towards the darkened room until she came to the comfortable chair that had been placed for her use at his side.
“Oh, Reggie,” she murmured, brushing back a lock of hair from his pale face, careful to avoid the bandages covering his forehead.
All there was left to do now was pray.
∞∞∞
