Jamie’s son had run back to Kirksbury for help while Jamie offered what assistance he could, and continued to apologize for his recklessness. It wasn’t his fault. Henry had urged the speed and now he and his friends were paying for that impatience.
“What the blazes happened, Kilsyth?” Norbright demanded as he came down the stairs.
He quickly explained. “I hope you can put us up until we recover.”
“Of course.”
“I’m not resting until I’ve had a brandy,” Keegan complained. “Then I’ll attempt those stairs.” He glared at them.
Henry could well understand, as Keegan wouldn’t be able to get up and down without assistance.
The footmen carried Pickmore in. Though Henry could tell that the servants were trying to be careful, Pickmore still moaned.
“The first empty room you find,” Norbright ordered.
Then, the coffin came in and Norbright paled. “Who?”
“Ashford,” Henry shook his head.
“Good God. Has his family been informed?”
“No.”
“They must be told. What of arrangements?”
Henry frowned at him
“Put him in the dining room for now, I suppose.”
“Dining room?” Keegan asked.
“Yes, isn’t that usually where a person is laid out? Or perhaps a sitting room, upon a table or something.”
That’s when Henry realized his error. “Ashford isn’t dead.”
“Then why the blazes is he in a coffin?”
“Because of his injuries,” Keegan answered. “The doctor didn’t wish for him to be jostled too much so he decided that Ashford would be safer in a pine box and in the back of a wagon for his journey to Harrington Manor.”
Norbright marched toward the coffin and peered inside. “He looks more like a mummy than a man.”
Henry joined him, noting the bandages around Ashford’s head, neck and shoulders. The only openings were beneath his nose, mouth and around his bruised and blackened eyes. “He has a number of cuts, scrapes and bruises. The doctor said it was easier to bandage all of him than trying not to bandage what was not injured.”
“Are these his only injuries?” Norbright asked.
“I believe so,” Henry answered. “The doctor noted bruises on other parts of his body, but doesn’t believe anything is broken.”
“Well, that is good. I was afraid that he was completely wrapped up beneath that blanket.” Norbright turned to the servants. “Prepare rooms for Ashford, Keegan and Kilsyth as well.”
A maid bobbed a curtsey then hurried up the stairs while the footmen followed with the coffin.
Norbright turned to Henry. “I’m glad you’ve come to visit, but may I ask why?”
“He’s in love,” answered Keegan. “Now where is your brandy?”
“Love?” Norbright looked into Henry’s eyes. “You? In love?”
“Keegan exaggerates,” Henry answered. “However, I could do with a brandy myself, and then I’ll tell you why we are here.”
