Within minutes, Edgerton raced into the kitchen, where the footmen had carried Bishop and placed him on the table. “Bishop, can you hear me?” he asked, grasping his hand. “What happened?”
The only movement from the man on the table was his labored breathing.
Mrs. Spencer peeled off his jacket and waistcoat, revealing his bloody shirt, and lifted the shirt to show a nasty gash on his side. “He’s lost a lot of blood, my lord. This wound looks terrible.”
“I’ve sent for the doctor,” Edgerton said. “I don’t want to move him until then.”
The doctor soon arrived and was shown into the kitchen. “Has he said anything?” Dr. Elliott asked as he looked at Bishop’s wound.
“No,” Mrs. Spencer said.
“I’ll need hot water and clean bandages. Lord Edgerton, whiskey if you please,” the doctor commanded.
“Of course, Dr. Elliott,” Edgerton turned toward the footman. “Colin, there’s a bottle ofwhiskey in my study.”
Colin nodded and raced out of the room while Dr. Elliott cut away Bishop’s shirt. “He’s lost a lot of blood. It looks like a stab wound, but I need to ensure there’s no bullet in there.”
“Will he live?” Edgerton asked.
Dr. Elliott probed the wound. “As I suspected, it’s a stab wound. Only time will tell if he survives. The biggest problem is whether or not we can stave off any infection.”
Colin returned with the whiskey and handed the decanter to the doctor, who poured it liberally over Bishop’s side.
“Another lantern, if you please,” Dr. Elliott said.
Colin retrieved the lantern by the back door, and Mrs. Spencer brought hot water and bandages to the table.
After thoroughly cleaning and stitching the wound, the doctor rinsed his hands. “He’ll need much care to have a chance at survival.”
“Whatever he needs,” Edgerton said. “Can he be moved?”
“It would be best if he’s not jostled overly much.”
“My lord, I can have the maid prepare the room right here,” Mrs. Spencer said, pointing to a small room off the kitchen.
Dr. Elliott nodded, washing his hands before donning his jacket. “That’s about as far as I’d recommendmoving him for now. The less movement, the better. I’ll leave some laudanum for the pain.”
“I’ll leave the arrangements to you, Mrs. Spencer,” Edgerton said. “Dr. Elliott, I’ll walk you out.” The doctor picked up his bag and followed him out of the kitchen. When they were out of earshot, Edgerton said. “It’s imperative I speak to him.”
“I understand, my lord. However, I doubt he’ll wake for several hours yet.”
“I’ll have someone sit with him. And doctor, your discretion in this matter is much appreciated.”
“Of course. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on him,” Dr. Elliott said. “If anything changes in the night, send for me right away.”
“Of course.”
Richmond was walking down the stairs when the two men reached the foyer. “Dr. Elliott, are you here to check on Charlotte?”
The doctor glanced at Edgerton before nodding. “Your Grace, a pleasure to see you. Shall we go up?”
***
An agonizing two days passed before Emma was allowed to see Charlotte. She was nervous about facing her friend, but she squared her shoulders and knocked onthe door.
“Come.”
She opened the door and poked her head inside. “May I come in?”
