“I’m fine.”He looked down at the Graf.“What about him?”
“Both of you need to be tended by a doctor,” Hannah asserted.“He’s been shot twice, and I’m not sure if all of the bullets passed through.”
She didn’t voice her fear that the Graf might not survive the injuries.She’d never seen a man die before, and she didn’t want to think of it.
Turning to the Graf, she asked, “How far are we from the village?”
“Too far,” he managed.“Several hours, at least.”
Michael leaned down, and too late, Hannah realized that he meant to pick the Graf up.
“Your arm—” she protested.
“It’s nothing.Hannah.”Michael emitted a hiss of pain when he lifted the Graf up.The coachman, Peter, moved toward them and helped put the Graf inside the vehicle.
When the Graf was safely inside, Mrs.Turner stirred.Her eyes flickered upon Michael and the Graf, and she let out a cry of alarm at the sight of their wounds.
“What’s happened?”the widow demanded.“You’re bleeding.”
“Nothing serious.”Michael shrugged it off.“A minor wound—no need to worry.”Nodding toward the Graf, he added, “But Von Reischor suffered worse injuries.I need you to help Lady Hannah tend him while I drive us to the closest village.”
Mrs.Turner covered her mouth, her eyes still glazed over from the effects of the laudanum.“But what happened?”
Hannah cut off further questions, saying, “I’ll explain everything to you, on the way.”
Michael handed her one of the lamps to illuminate the interior of the coach.While the coachman checked the horses and started the carriage back on the journey, Hannah helped Mrs.Turner with the Graf’s wounds.The petticoats were soaked through with blood, and she blanched at the sight.
Mrs.Turner didn’t seem at all bothered by the injuries and took charge, offering him a dose of laudanum to dull the pain.The Graf took it gratefully.
As the widow helped tend him, Hannah’s thoughts returned to Michael and the story of the Changeling Prince.Whoever believed he posed a threat wouldn’t stop until the threat was eliminated.
She stared outside the window, the wretched fear gathering up inside.Though she couldn’t grasp what her feelings were, she didn’t want anything to happen to the lieutenant.Tomorrow, she was supposed to bid him farewell while he continued his journey to Lohenberg.But she didn’t want to leave him.
Hannah felt as though she were stumbling blind, without a path to follow.They were at a crossroads, their lives taking different turns.Was it so wrong, wanting to walk with him a little farther?
Though she didn’t know what would happen, Hannah was certain of one thing.She was not about to be left behind—not when the man she cared about was in such danger.
Chapter Fourteen
Michaelknewhewasdreaming.And yet, he couldn’t push away the strange visions.In the dream, he was a young boy again, holding his mother’s hand.It was a warm afternoon, the air sour with the odors of London.The buzzing of unfamiliar voices and sounds made him stay close to her side.
“It’s all right, Michael.You’ll be safe now.”She brushed a light kiss on his temple, murmuring words of comfort.
“I’m afraid.”He gripped her leg, burying his face into her side.“She said they were going to hurt me if I wasn’t good.If I didn’t do what she said.”
Every stranger, every unfamiliar face, was a threat to him.His stomach gnawed at him with worry and hunger.
“We’re going to take care of you now,” Mary whispered.“No one will ever harm you again.”
“Michael,” he heard Lady Hannah murmuring.“Wake up.”
He let out a breath, realizing that he’d been given a few drops of laudanum.His head felt heavy, his eyes leaden.“I will.I just need a moment.”
Her hand reached out to his face, her warm palm resting upon his cheek.It was nice.He wanted to stay here a little longer, feeling her hand upon his skin.
“Michael, I need you to open your eyes.Look at me.”
His vision flickered, then cleared as he saw Hannah.From her rumpled appearance, she probably hadn’t slept at all.Her hair had been hastily repinned, her long-sleeved rose gown wrinkled.She’d discarded her bonnet on a chair nearby.
