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“She is unhurt as far as I know. She is on her way back to London.”
She looked about, obviously deducing where she was, her face grimacing as she moved her leg and felt the pain of her injury. “Why are you here?” she asked.
Good question. He’d been asking himself that for the past quarter hour. Instead of answering, he said, “A doctor is on the way. I cleaned the wound, and the good news is that it seems to be a flesh wound. The pistol ball didn’t enter your leg.”
She glanced down at her leg, and her face colored. Obviously, she had noticed her skirts were up about her waist. Her gaze met his.
“I cleaned the wound, that is all.”
Did she think he would take any pleasure in pulling up her skirts when she was injured and bleeding? Or that he would try to catch a glimpse of her bare flesh when she was unconscious?
“Thank you,” she said. “It hurts.”
“I imagine it will sting worse when the doctor comes and cleans it with something stronger than water. Are you injured anywhere else?”
“Is this a ploy to undress me completely?” She gave him a slight smile, and he couldn’t help but smile back. He was glad she could smile about the situation.
“You have figured me out.” He frowned down at her again. “Did you hit your head when you fell?”
“I don’t think so. I don’t know why I fainted. I’ve never fainted in my life.”
“It’s natural after a sudden shock to your person. Not to mention the terror you must have felt when you realized the situation. Did you see the man shooting? Can you give a description of him?”
“Now, now.” The door pushed open and a man in black carrying a medical bag entered. “There will be time for questions later. I’ve asked Lizzie here”—he gestured to a servant—“to act as my nurse. I need everyone else out.”
Even if Will had wanted to object, he doubted he would win. This doctor was sixty at least, white haired and distinguished. He would not allow his orders to be ignored. Besides, Will was not a relative or a female friend of Lady Averley. He had no place here.
He stepped outside, standing on the other side of the closed door, listening to the murmur of voices. Peters emerged fromanother room. “Would you like some refreshment, sir?” He glanced at the closed door. “It might be some time before they are finished.”
“I’d like that, Peters.” Will wasn’t hungry or thirsty. His body had gone into fight mode, shutting off all needs and wants except those required for survival. But he needed to eat anyway, to make sure he had enough sustenance to stay sharp and focused. He doubted the assassin would come back, especially as the queen had been spirited away, but he must be vigilant.
An hour later the doctor entered the dining room where Will stared out a window, an empty teacup and plate before him. He stood, straightening his coat, only to realize he wasn’t wearing his coat or neckcloth. The doctor waved him back down. “We didn’t have time for proper introductions earlier. I am Augustus Phillips. I’ve been a doctor here for almost forty years.”
“Willoughby Galloway, sir. Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“I am always at the ready when the queen is traveling to Richmond.” He gestured to an empty chair. “May I sit?”
“Of course.”
Will gave the white-haired man a moment to pour tea and settle in his chair. The doctor’s comment had raised a dozen questions, but first he needed to know Emily’s status. “How is Lady Averley?”
“She is very lucky. The pistol ball only grazed her thigh. I cleaned and bandaged the wound, but it is not deep enough to require stitches.” He removed his spectacles and cleaned them on a cloth. “I assume that was your neckcloth applied as a tourniquet.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That was good thinking, but as I said, she was fortunate. Or perhaps she was unfortunate. No one else was injured, I take it.” He replaced his spectacles and peered at Will.
“Not to my knowledge, sir. The queen was quickly spirited away and seemed unhurt. Is Lady Averley able to travel?”
“Yes. She can return to the palace today, but she might be more comfortable if you waited until the morning. Then I could also return, check the wound for infection, and adjust her medication.”
“What have you prescribed?”
Will listened as the doctor mentioned a draught to ease her pain and help her sleep. “After a shock like this, nightmares and anxiety can be quite common.”
Will nodded. “I will send word to the palace and ask them to send a coach for tomorrow.” Will paused. Now that the doctor had eased his concerns about Emily, he had another matter to address. “You say you knew the queen was coming to Richmond?”
The doctor sipped the tea. “Of course. I am notified whenever the queen will travel to this area, whether to stay several days at a royal residence or just for an afternoon at the river.”
