“Emma, it’s so good to see you,” Charlotte said. “Please come in.”
She sat down on the chair next to the bed. “Oh, Charlotte, please forgive me. I’m so—”
Charlotte grasped her hand. “It wasn’t your fault. If anything is to blame, it’s that poor little rabbit.”
Tears streamed down Emma’s cheeks. “I never should have suggested we race.”
“Oh, Emma, please don’t cry. I’ll be well again in time, you’ll see.”
“I know, but I feel responsible.”
“Was Lexie injured?”
“No, she was merely spooked.”
“That’s good. She’s such a gentle mare. Now, let’s not dwell on it anymore. Dr. Elliott says my leg should heal, although it will take several weeks before I’m up and about again.”
“I’ll visit you every day. Perhaps you’d like me to read to you until you can leave this room?”
“That would be lovely. Richmond has ordered a bath chair to be delivered, and he told me earlier that he and Sophia will remain here with me until I heal.”
Emma inhaled sharply. “The duke’s staying here?”
Charlotte nodded. “Yes. He spoke to Lord Edgerton, and arrangements have been made,although he’ll need to go to London a few times for estate business while I heal.”
Before Emma could say anything more, Dr. Elliott and Richmond entered the room. She wiped the tears from her face and stood.
“How’s the patient today?” Dr. Elliott asked.
“Hello, Dr. Elliott,” Charlotte said.
“May I?” the doctor asked, stepping next to the bed.
She nodded, and the doctor lifted the blanket to inspect her leg. His fingers prodded her flesh between the splints, and Emma saw Charlotte wince.
She squeezed her friend’s hand. “Will Lady Charlotte fully recover, Dr. Elliott?”
“Yes. It will take time, though,” Dr. Elliott said, tucking the blanket back around her leg. “The bone is steady now, Lady Charlotte, but you must not put any weight on it yet. Do you need more laudanum for the pain? I imagine your leg is quite tender.”
She shook her head. “No, thank you. It makes me feel strange.”
“I understand, but I recommend a dose at night. It will ease your sleep, and you need rest more than anything to encourage healing.”
Charlotte nodded. “I understand. Thank you,Dr. Elliott.”
Richmond walked to the bed and kissed her forehead. “You look better today, my dear.” He looked at Emma. “Good morning, Miss Bainbridge.”
“Good morning, Your Grace,” she said with a curtsey. “Lady Charlotte tells me you and Lady Sophia will be staying at Emerson Hall until she heals.”
“Yes.”
His stare was so intense that Emma involuntarily swallowed the lump clogging her throat. She hadn’t seen him since he spoke to her in the parlor, and she craved his good opinion more than anything. It surprised her that she felt that way. Could it be that her feelings for the Duke of Richmond were softening? “I’ve offered to sit and read to her while Charlotte’s confined to her bedchamber.”
“That’s very kind of you, Miss Bainbridge,” Richmond said.
“I’ll be back in a few days to check on you, Lady Charlotte,” Dr. Elliott said. “Be sure to heed my advice about not putting weight on that leg, and please take the laudanum, at least for the next two or three nights.”
“I will. Thank you again, Dr. Elliott.”
