Octavia allowed her brother to assist her in rising. “I can run, if that is required.”
“Walking will do just fine, but it might be at a brisk pace,” Fredrick said as he withdrew his hand. “Follow me and do exactly as I do.”
Harred came to stand next to her. “Are you sure you are all right?” he asked, the concern evident in his voice.
“I am,” she replied. “It isn’t the first time that my brother has knocked me to the ground.”
“Truly?”
She shook her head. “No, I was joking. Fredrick has never been so rough with me before, but it was for a good cause.”
Harred put his hand up, indicating she should go first. “We need to catch up to Fredrick, and quickly.”
Octavia noticed that Fredrick was a short distance away and he had an impatient look on his face. She hurried to catch up to him and was pleased that Harred followed closely behind.
Fredrick turned and started zigzagging along the path, not making a lick of sense. But Octavia did as she was told and followed him.
Once they arrived back at the coach, Fredrick helped her in before claiming the seat next to her. Harred sat across from her and watched her closely.
“Are you sure you are well?” Harred asked.
Octavia decided to make light of the situation so she said, “I did fall on my hip, but I do not think it will affect my childbearing.”
Fredrick frowned. “Are you truly joking at a time like this?”
“I am,” Octavia defended. “Now that we are safe, it is the perfect time to make a joke. You two are far too serious for my liking.”
“I wish you would be serious for once,” Fredrick chided.
Octavia nudged his shoulder with hers, causing him to let out a groan. She glanced down and saw that there was blood on the sleeve of her gown. It was only then that she realized Fredrick had been shot and his jacket was saturated with blood.
“You are hurt!” she exclaimed.
“It is merely a flesh wound,” Fredrick responded through gritted teeth. “It hadn’t started hurting until you touched it.”
Shifting in her seat, she said, “We need to get you home and send for the doctor.”
“You do not need to concern yourself. This isn’t the firsttime that I have been shot,” Fredrick revealed. “I will have my valet remove the bullet, assuming I wasn’t shot through and through.”
Octavia could see the sweat on Fredrick’s brow and the clenching of his jaw to know that he was in more pain than he was letting on. “I do think it would be best if a doctor examined you,” she pressed.
“What will a doctor do?” Fredrick asked.
“He could give you something to ease the pain,” she replied.
Fredrick shook his head. “I won’t take anything that will dampen my senses. Not again. I do not like how medicine makes me feel,” he declared. “I will be fine. Just leave me be.”
Octavia pressed her lips together, not ready to concede. She couldn’t just let her brother suffer in silence.
Harred spoke up. “I do believe your sister is right in this case. You should have a doctor look at that wound in case it needs stitching.”
“My valet served with me in the war, and he is far more competent with a needle and thread than a doctor,” Fredrick shared. “I understand your concern, but it is unfounded.”
Octavia opened her mouth to debate that point, but Fredrick continued. “The issue we should be discussing is the brazen attempt on Harred’s life.”
“How did you know there was a sniper?” Harred asked.
“I saw the light reflecting off the rifle,” Fredrick revealed. “I got used to surveying my surroundings, looking for any sign of snipers, on the Continent.”
