“Beaufort and Lionel went after her,” Thompson assured. “Neither will permit anyone to harm her.”
Alexander remembered nothing of the rest of the journey. The pain only eased when he slept.
Before he knew what was what, someone jostled him awake. Duncan was barking orders to Mr. Fields, and Alexander was again being carried, this time up the stairs at Duncan Place.
“Leave him on the door until Mr. Rheem can arrive,” Thompson ordered. “We will require clean bandages and plenty of hot water, Mrs. Chester.”
Alexander could hear Theodora’s screech, but there was no means for him to respond.
“I will require assistance in extracting the bullet if Rheem cannot be located.”
“My hands are steady,” Aaran Graham’s voice announced. Alexander had not realized Graham had ridden by the wagon as an outrider.
“Is he dying?” Theodora pleaded from her place on the other side of the room. Alexander imagined either Duncan or the lady’s maid Winston was holding her.
Her father said, “Alexander has lost more blood than we would like. Yet, with our family’s prayers and determination, he will not die. They are to bring Marksman’s sister here. Please agree to assist her, Dora.”
“I wish to tend to Alexander,” Theodora declared stubbornly.
“You and Lady Annalise may take turns caring for him. Such is what my son would wish,” her father declared.
Alexander could hear the lack of compromise in Duncan’s tone, but he was too exhausted to do more than lie upon thewooden door and count his own heartbeats until a soft hand claimed his.
“I am here, my love. I shall always be here,” Dora said as she kissed his dirt-and blood-smeared knuckles. “Please stay with me.”
Alexander did not know how long they remained as such, but soon he could hear Mr. Rheem barking orders to Duncan’s servants. “Thompson, you will assist me. We will require more water and towels.”
“Here, sir,” Mrs. Chester called from somewhere across the room.
“Everyone except Thompson and Mrs. Chester should leave. Wait downstairs until we have a need of you.”
“May I not stay?” Theodora pleaded.
“It would be best if you wait with your father, my lady,” Rheem instructed. “You know I will do my best by his lordship.”
Theodora had forgottenEmma was also waiting at Duncan Place for news of the government’s maneuvers today until her ladyship’s arm came around Dora’s waist.
“They will do all possible to save Alexander. Come. You and I will go back to your quarters, where we shall offer our prayers for Mr. Rheem’s steady hand.”
“Could we not use Richard’s former quarters across the hall?” Theodora pleaded. “I cannot be so far from Alexander.”
“Richard’s quarters are perfect,” Emma declared. “My dear Orson watched over me from there, and we shall do the same for Alexander.” Even so, Theodora tarried at the door until Mrs. Chester closed it to prevent others from viewing Mr. Rheem’s efforts.
Nearly thirty minuteshad passed when Theodora heard the commotion below, but she had moved a chair outside of Richard’s door, where she could watch the door behind which they worked upon Alexander and hear some of what was being said regarding the man she loved.
“I shall see who has arrived,” Emma said softly as she rose from her own chair beside the one Dora occupied.
Theodora thought she had nodded her agreement, but she could not be confident such was true. She turned Alexander’s ring on her finger, over and over again, saying a silent prayer for his life with each rotation. Time after time. She was counting the minutes since the door had closed. Behind the door, she could hear Rheem’s deep voice presenting orders and her brother Benjamin’s even deeper voice responding, but Dora could not make out their words.
She repeated the prayer once more and continued to stare at the door separating her from the man she loved.
At length, she could hear Emma on the stairs. “It is this way. We are all waiting for Mr. Rheem, who is the surgeon, to finish his ministrations. Lady Theodora and I wished to be close.”
“I warned him not to trust either my uncle or my cousin,” another female said, and Theodora looked up to see Alexander’s sister.
Dora wanted to lash out at the girl, for, if Alexander had not wished to protect his sister, he would not now be dancing with death, but Dora knew such would displease him. Alexander had risked everything to save Annalise Dutton, and so Theodora stood and opened her arms to the girl. Thankfully, Alexander’s sister accepted Dora’s gesture, and they embraced each otheruntil Emma said, “Lady Annalise, here, sit beside Dora. I will ask Mr. Fields for another chair.”
“Where is my father?” Theodora asked.
