“No head wounds?” Jeremy’s expression conveyed his worry.
“Not that I can tell. Again,” Royce spread his hands wide. “Until he wakes, we cannot know if he has escaped that kind of damage.”
“All right.” Giles rose. “Let’s settle him as best we can. Bathe and clean him, if he wakes we’ll deal with him then, and if not, let him sleep.”
“Sleep is actually the body’s way of healing, so it’s a good thing. He’s going to hurt like the very devil when he does wake, though.” Royce’s lips twisted. “If you have any laudanum, a little might take the edge off the worst of it for now.”
“I’ll see what I can find. And in the meantime, I must catch up with the business on my desk.” Giles squared his shoulders and walked to the door. “Evan, if we could dine at seven, would that give you enough time to prepare whatever is necessary, not just for us but for our patient, in case he wakes?”
“Of course,” nodded Evan. “I’ll set some broth going. He’ll probably not want much more at the moment.” He shot a quick look at Royce.
“Good idea,” came the response. “I agree completely.”
Hoping that this was a harbinger of the relationship he hoped to see build between the men, Giles walked to the door and left them to it.
Would they get on? Would they kill each other? How would Royce adapt to Wolfbridge?
All valid questions, none of which had any ready answers. Only time would tell in this situation, and Giles admitted to himself he was tired, and ready to let those matters take their course.
There were others requiring his attention.
His study was as neat as always, and the correspondence that had arrived during his absence sat in a handy stack by the blotter.
Trust Jeremy to make sure all was prepared for his return. A taper to the logs in the fireplace and the room began to fill with warmth. The taper travelled on to the candles and Giles sighed with contentment as he took his chair and drew the first of the letters from the pile.
Most were easily dealt with; a few enquiries about spring stock, some bills for the work on the kitchen garden that had been completed—although there was more to do—and some papers referencing the matter of the Fairhursts and Fivetrees.
He’d not had time to ask how Trick and Jane were managing over there, but he knew if there’d been any major problems he’d have been told about it. There were two letters remaining, and Giles knew from the writing that they would be important.
Taking the first one, which showed signs of much wear, he slit the ornate seal and opened it carefully, his heart quickening as he glanced at the signature.
The news it contained made him drop the paper to the table, lean back and close his eyes.
For a few minutes, he sat, motionless, waiting for his brain to calm, to settle, to push away matters he could not yet handle.
As it did so, he found the strength to reach into his waistcoat pocket for a small key. It unlocked one of his desk drawers and inside he pressed a piece of wood that revealed a hidden compartment. Smoothing out the paper, he carefully added it to the others, replaced the cover and closed and locked the drawer.
Then he rose and poured a small brandy, bringing it back to the desk and looking at the final letter. This one was important, vital now, since he needed to be about the business of locating the next Lady of Wolfbridge.
The network of correspondents he had set in place over the years was nothing if not productive, and he knew this note had come from one of his most reliable sources.
He unfolded it with a measure of apprehension, noting the wordURGENTin bold letters across the top.
“Dear Sir,
In reference to the subject at hand, you should be informed that the lady has not appeared at her home in the last three months. Enquiries pertaining to this matter have finally produced a result; she is presently in residence at the Dower House.
Unfortunately, I have learned that this location is far from secure, being a neglected building in a desolate and wild part of the estate. There is one known occupant, a woman of unpleasant reputation. Thus, there is concern as to the welfare of the lady in question. It is recommended that you consider a visit at this time, or in the near future if it is possible, to verify her condition. The winter has been of long duration and featured many days of freezing temperatures. Few, if any, sightings of smoke have been observed.
As a final note, it has been made clear to all and sundry that access to the Dower House is strictly forbidden. The villagers have been warned, and occasionally threatened by the gamekeepers. Those who have brought supplies must leave them with those same gamekeepers who are presumed to be the only outside contact for the two women inside.
It is not a comfortable situation, sir. We urge you to make haste, lest the subject of your interest fail to survive the rest of the winter.
Sincerely yrs…”
Giles closed his eyes on a frown and rubbed his hands over his face in anger. How dare they treat her this way? And what terrible timing. He had Gabriel unconscious upstairs and now this…
He finished his brandy and stood, glancing at the clock which told him there was a scant half hour before Evan would have dinner on the table.
