Captain Sinclair mounted his horse. “Down, Atticus,” he said.
Beth watched, amazed, as the horse bent his front legs like he was bowing.
“Pass the dog to me.”
Nathan and Forrest did as he asked.
“I’ll walk at your side, and you return to the house with Ella and alert them that we are coming, Forrest,” Nathan said.
“I will—”
“Come with me.” Nathan grabbed her wrist. “You too, Mary. Neither of you are walking about London after what just took place. I will take you home after.”
“We will get into a hackney. Surely that was just a freakish incident?” Mary said.
“Perhaps.” Nathan’s eyes were on Beth as he spoke. “But then perhaps not. And you are not getting a hackney.”
Dear Lord, was that bullet meant for her or Mary?Beth remembered then the threats Logan had issued at the theater. He’d said her family and friends would not be safe if she did not do as he asked. Was this a warning?
She felt a hand on her back nudging her forward.
“I can walk on my own.”
“Then do so,” he snapped.
“I’m sorry about Walter, Nathan.”
“He will live.” The words had a certainty to them that reassured her.
Captain Sinclair held Walter in his arms, and his horse, Atticus, walked slowly beside them. Mary held Beth’s hand but did not speak again. They made a solemn procession as they made their way to the Deville townhouse.
The journey did not take long, and they arrived not long after Forrest and his daughter. The Deville brothers were all running from the house as they halted.
“Walter!” Zach ran forward. “Christ. Look at the blood.”
“What happened?” Gabriel shot Beth a look as he took the dog with Michael’s help.
“Not now, Gabe,” Nathan said.
Faces grave, they carried him inside. The others followed, including Mary, Beth, and Captain Sinclair.
“Is h-he all right, Papa?”
“He will be, sweetheart,” Forrest said to Ella, who looked tearful. “Everything will be all right now.” He closed his arms round her and held her tight.
“This way. I have placed several thick blankets over the mattress.” Fairfax, the butler appeared before them. He gave her a gentle smile, clearly remembering her from when she’d visited in happier times.
The procession trooped up the stairs and soon entered a bedroom. Walter was lowered gently onto a bed. He sighed pitifully and rested his head on the pillow.
“We must clean the wound and see what we are dealing with. If there is a bullet, it must be removed,” Nathan said.
“There is no bullet,” Captain Sinclair said.
“How do you know?” Gabriel Deville looked at him.
“I am very good with animals. He is hurt but is not in danger of passing from his wounds at this stage—unless there is infection. As I told Mr. Deville, I will have my cousin deliver you some medical supplies to ensure that does not happen.”
“We’d be grateful. He is very important to my fiancée,” Gabriel Deville said, worry etched in his face.
