“Not all wounds are the same,” Dr. Smith warned her.
“It still gives me hope,” Willa said.
Willa opened the door to their room, and Lord Knightly had already removed his coat.
“That was swift,” he said.
“Dr. Smith was already in the taproom. Word travels fast around here. Isn't that fortuitous?”
“My God,” the doctor said as he drew close to Lord Knightly. “A mace flail did this? Oh, yes. I can see the imprint of it.”
“You can?” Lord Knightly asked.
“When did this happen?” Dr. Smith asked.
“Two days ago,” Willa answered.
“What was your last memory?” the doctor asked.
“I woke up in a field with my wife.”
Willa’s stomach did a pleasant flip at his use of the word “wife” in reference to her.
Dr. Smith stroked his chin. “Interesting, very interesting.”
Willa could feel Knightly’s questioning gaze. “He’s seen something similar to this,” Willa assured him. “A boy who was kicked by a horse. It took him three days before he began to remember things.”
“The severity of the case might not have been as bad as yours, but only time will tell when your memory could return,” Dr. Smith said.
“Why won't it come off?” Knightly asked.
“That I can't rightly tell. But when we sustain a wound to our head, it bleeds underneath the skin, causing swelling. If the helmet is dented into that wound, that is what is causing so much pain and the inability for you to remove it.”
“Obviously,” Knightly said dryly.
“We could take it off by force, but best case, it will be the greatest pain you ever felt. Worse case, it might kill you. I don't know since I can't see the wound.”
Tension crackled between them. How had they upset each other so swiftly?
Willa stepped in between them. “Surely there is another way that the helmet can be removed?”
“When the swelling goes down, it will create more space, making it possible to slide the helmet off.”
“I think he has a fever,” Willa added.
“Infection is quite possible and another concern,” the doctor said. “I’d like to gather my supplies and attempt to lavage the wound through the holes in the helmet. That might be all I can do for now until the swelling goes down, and it can be removed.”
“I understand,” Willa said. Knightly remained silent.
“That helmet did save your life,” Dr. Smith said.
“I know,” Knightly said.
“It might just be the thing keeping you alive. Holding your skull together. Once we remove it, you will have to wear a bandage. Where were you traveling to?”
“We’re on our way to London where my family is,” Willa answered.
“You'll need to stay here at least a few days. I don't recommend travel until that helmet is off and we have seen what is underneath. I'm afraid your trip will have to be delayed.”
