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Dash had to replay Harry’s words. Perdita had been knocked unconscious before.
“If someone hadn’t called my name, the morning would have had a different ending.” She didn’t deign to look at Dash. Her interest was all for Harry.
“Do you want me to carry you in?” Harry leaned forward, his massive shoulders filling the door.
“It will be the last thing you do.” Her lips were pale and pressed together, but she kept up the comradery with her friend.
Harry chuckled. “You’re going to need one of Totty’s remedies for your headache.” He offered his hand to her. She leaned against the wall of the carriage for support as she stood. The strain in her neck and her bent, guarded posture reflected her misery as she took the two steps to the street.
“Harry, no need to share too much with Alfie when he returns. He’ll have us both mucking out the stables for months.” Perdita put her hand on Harry’s arm, which demonstrated her difficulty.
“I can’t lie to him. And I’ll be the one mucking, not you, if he doesn’t send me back to Sussex.”
Dash jumped out of the carriage and followed.
Reese opened the door before Perdita and Harry had made it up the next stairs. Perdita was in agony by the way she favored her right side and listed when she walked. The darn woman didn’t have to suffer when he could carry her. At least the head wound had stopped bleeding.
“Lady Perdita, what has happened? Did Buttercup throw you?”
“Send for Dr. Needham, Reese.” Dash stepped in the entrance, done with acting like a bystander.
“Thank you for your assistance, Beldon. You are not needed any longer. Reese and Totty can take care of me.”
“You were unconscious. You will be examined by Dr. Needham. Reese and Totty will surely see the wisdom. Harry can try to stop me, but he knows you need medical evaluation.”
“Fine. Reese, you may send for Dr. Needham. Satisfied?”
“Not in the least.” He lifted her into his arms. “You are in pain, and I’m not going to watch you limp up the damn stairs.”
Perdita remained stiff in his arms but didn’t fight him or speak to him. The silence was deafening. Getting out of the carriage and walking the distance to the house had depleted her last reserves. And he was glad that he had intervened. Not that she would acknowledge any of it. She didn’t need to prove her grit to him. He never underestimated her strong constitution.
A footman scurried after them and opened the door to Perdita’s bedroom. Miss Rothsby came rushing down the hallway.
“Dita, why is Lord Beldon carrying you? Did Buttercup throw you again?”
Dash was definitely getting rid of Buttercup. Not that this was the battle to be fought at the moment.
“I’ll explain everything once we’re alone. Can you ring for Totty and Rosetta?”
“Of course.”
Dash slowly lowered her to the bed. Miss Rothsby rushed over to plump pillows behind Perdita’s back and head. Perdita relaxed on the pillows and closed her eyes.
“I will wait in the library to speak with Dr. Needham after he examines you. And once you’ve rested, I will be back to have our conversation.”
“She’s fallen asleep,” Miss Rothsby said.
Dash stood and stared at Perdita, who had exhausted herself. “She had a very difficult morning.” What an understatement. “Please notify me once Dr. Needham has examined her. I will be in the library.”
Having a large stiff drink to calm his nerves. A condition he didn’t possess until Perdita came churning hurricane-style back into his life.
