“We must slow the bleeding,” Benjamin growled, as he pressed his own cravat, which he had tugged free from his neck, over the wound. “I have you, Duncan,” he said as he adjusted the pressure on where Duncan was bleeding. To Titan, he said, “Could you send someone to my coach? I have a surgical bag inside.”
“Puck!” Titan bellowed.
Immediately, a man appeared at the left corner of the building. “Aye, sir?”
“Fetch Lord Thompson’s medical bag from his coach, along Cleveland Row!” Titan ordered.
“Yes, sir!”
Though he was a large sturdily-built man, as were all employed by Mrs. Dove-Lyon, Puck moved with admirable ease and speed.
“I have a door,” a feminine voice said as she knelt beside Duncan. “We should move him inside. You sent for a surgeon?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked as she expertly examined the wound. “Titan, have Lysander and Philostrate, as well as Demetrius, carry Lord Duncan into the ladies’ parlor. Send Hermia for my medical bag.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Titan said as he stepped away to do his mistress’s bidding.
“My mother and I followed the drum,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said in explanation, as she swatted Benjamin’s hands from the way and took over the pressure on the wound so he could instead assist with lifting Duncan properly.
“Where do you want us, my lord?” the man known as Lysander asked as they placed a door on the ground.
“It will be difficult, but we must lift him, obviously from the ground, so on your knees is best. We must keep him as level as possible. Shovel style,” Benjamin ordered.
“Titan, take my place here,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon ordered. “I will go inside and prepare the area,” she assured.
“I have you, ma’am,” Graham announced as he reached down a hand to the woman.
In truth, Benjamin had forgotten that Graham remained nearby. “You are in charge of any chaos, Graham,” he ordered, as he positioned himself along Duncan’s body. “Gentlemen,” he told the others, “we only need to lift him high enough to place him on the door. No drastic moves required.” Benjamin knelt over Duncan to say, “I am here, sir. I shan’t leave you. You had no idea when you paid for my Edinburgh education that you would one day require my assistance in this matter.” He motioned the men into position. “We will lift him on the count of one and bring him towards the door on two. Set him again on three.”
Graham knelt beside Duncan, bending only on his good leg and bracing himself with his cane. Claiming Duncan’s hand, he said, “If you do not mind, I wish to offer a quick prayer.”
