“Well, Jonathan,” Alexander made sure to use the boy’s Christian name and not the nickname the other children had given him. “It is a fine job you did coming over here to let me know. I shall see to it that you are rewarded for your haste and effort.”
The boy’s eyes shone with glee. He obviously was not expected any kind of reward. “Thank you, milord.”
“Why don’t we take you to the kitchen, so Mrs. Willows can make you a sandwich, while I get dressed, and then we shall return to the inn to take care of Marjorie.”
That sounded even better, and Jonathan’s lips widened into a smile at the thought of getting something to eat in a lord’s house. Alexander smiled, as he pulled the bell to call for Collins, and immediately upon his arrival, gave him further instructions regarding the boy, while he himself headed back to his chamber to get dressed. He was relieved to hear that Marjorie was all right, but he was still concerned. He needed to be there for her. She needed him. Perhaps she did not need him as much as he needed her, but that did not matter. All that mattered was that she was all right and happy, even if that meant being happy with someone else.
* * *
“You are all making a big deal out of nothing,” Marjorie frowned, as Edith and a few of the bigger boys helped her to one of the rooms occupied by the girls, and placed her on the bed, with her leg in a vertical position.
“Here is the compress!” Ella rushed into the room, with a wet cloth in her hand. “Now, all the boys outside,” she instructed, and everyone obeyed.
Ella proceeded to take off Marjorie’s shoe, then Marjorie herself pulled down her stocking, revealing a shimmering, pale leg, with an ankle that was slightly reddened from the impact.
“This will be a little cold,” Ella warned. A moment later, she pressed the wet cloth on the reddened spot. Marjorie gasped silently, biting her lower lip. “Just keep it on your ankle for a while. That should help with the swelling.”
“Thank you, Ella,” Marjorie smiled. “But this concern truly isn’t necessary. It only hurts a little.”
“Marjorie, you fell,” Edith reminded her gravely. “It would be best if a physician looked at your foot. If anything is sprained, you need it to heal properly, lest you become lame.”
“I assure you that I am completely– “ Marjorie started when a knock on the door interrupted her. “Fine. Come in!”
The door opened with a swoon, and Alexander’s face appeared. He seemed slightly flushed, his hair not as usually sleek and combed towards the side of his face. Instead, it seemed as if he had just gotten out of bed and did not even bother to comb himself properly. Still, he looked more handsome than any other man she had laid her eyes upon.
“Marjorie,” he exclaimed her name like a prayer, dashing towards the bed to her. “Jonathan told me the news. I came as quickly as I could.”
Marjorie frowned, her eyes darting to Edith. “I thought I told you not to send for him.”
“You did,” Edith shrugged, with a smile that threatened to take over her still serious face.
“How are you feeling?” Alexander wondered. Only then did he see that her foot was bare, and the hems of her dress were lifted all the way up to her knee. Reverently, he immediately looked in the other direction. Marjorie quickly lowered her dress down, to a more appropriate length, showing only her foot now.
“I’ve already told everyone that they are exaggerating,” Marjorie restated her opinion. “I merely slipped on the last few stairs and slid down, falling right on my behind.” She could already feel a bruise coming on, but still, she considered herself fortunate coming out of this with only a bruise and a slightly twisted ankle, if that.
“One can never exaggerate with one’s health,” Alexander corrected her softly, daring to turn around and face her once more. “If you will permit me, I shall have my carriage take you home. Miss. Sotheby is of course, welcome to join us. I have already taken the liberty of sending for Doctor Chillingworth. He has been our family doctor for years. You remember him, Marjorie, don’t you?”
Marjorie nodded. Doctor Chillingworth was the one who tended to the old earl for months before he was finally released from this world. Marjorie could tell that Doctor Chillingworth was a kind man who cared much for the health of his patients. If there was a doctor in all of London she could trust, then it was him.
“I’d hate to take time away from his patients who might truly need him,” Marjorie still frowned.
“I shall hear no more of it,” Alexander was unwavering. He was even more handsome when he was determined to do something, something for her. “Now, I shall carry you to the carriage, if you permit.”
“I… well, all right,” Marjorie could offer nothing else other than agreement. The thought of being in his arms filled her with dread, with joy, with the most thrilling sensation ever. She feared it might disturb the still waters of her mind, but the waters of her heart were already in a whirlpool.
Without another word said, Alexander bent down before her, gently sliding his arm underneath her knees and the other under her shoulders. She could tell he was cautious with his hands and fingers, not to graze any inappropriate part of her body. Her heart raced. Her cheeks flushed. She could not hide the way she felt, even for a moment. All she could hope was that he would be a gentleman and not mention anything.
Edith rushed after them, carrying Marjorie’s shoe. A few curious onlookers watched them leave the inn. The kids all huddled together at the top of the staircase, waving at her. She smiled, waving back, until they disappeared.
Chapter 18
“Why didn’t you send for me yesterday, Haddington, when you found out that Marjorie hurt herself?” Percival sounded outraged that he was only now finding out about his future wife’s injury.
Alexander had welcomed his friend in his study the morning following the accident, after he had sent word to him about it. Alexander thought long and hard whether he wished Percival to be there during the physician’s visit, which fortunately for everyone, resulted in a minor sprain, which still required two weeks of bedrest. Marjorie did not seem particularly thrilled about it, but she could do nothing else but comply.
As for his own, slightly selfish behavior, Alexander had no excuse. He knew that much. What he ought to have done was send for Percival on his way to the inn to see Marjorie. But he could not bring himself to do it. Percival would have the rest of his life with Marjorie. Alexander could only have these few precious weeks, perhaps even days, before she Marjorie would find out that Percival intended on marrying her. As a betrothed woman, she would not be able to see him as much as before, even though they shared a common goal in helping the orphaned children.
It was sheer selfishness. Alexander was willing to admit it to himself, but not to Percival. This was his own secret, one he would take to the grave, forever saddened by the fact that if only he saw Marjorie for who she really was before, everything might have been different for the two of them. But now, it was too late to change anything.
