“Goodness!” Lady Norbright placed a hand against her breast. “I’ll see that the doctor is sent for immediately.”
“Mrs. Wiggons has already sent for him,” the blond student reminded them. “I’ll direct him here first since the injuries are more pressing than a simple case of the measles.”
Measles weren’t exactly simply, but in the grander scheme of things, when one takes ill, all anyone could do was to make them as comfortable as possible, whereas injuries should be treated immediately.
The three turned for the door but the blond stopped. “We’ve had the measles, so if you need anything we can help.”
Lady Norbright laughed. “I am certain we will get along fine. Now run along. I’m certain that Mrs. Wiggons may need your assistance if the entire school comes down with the disease.”
As Lady Norbright shut the door on the girls, she turned, catching Henry’s eyes. “Have you had the measles, Lord Kilsyth?”
“No. I have not.”
“Then it appears you won’t be seeing your Miss Doyle for some time, but you are welcome to remain here as long as you need.”
Damn and blast. He’d ridden all this way, literally risking life and limb, and now he’d be denied for who knows how long before he could see her again.
There was a quick knock at the door and Lady Norbright opened it, revealing the three girls again.
“Yes?”
“We thought we had better warn you,” the redhead announced.
“About?”
“The curse!”
“Eliza, I am warning you, do not even think—.”
“—No, you don’t understand,” Eliza interrupted. “I am too mature to believe in such nonsense. But our newest students are convinced that the accident and the measles were caused by the curse of the mummy that Lord Kilsyth brought with him from Mayfair. Now that you’ve suffered three injuries in quick succession, I’ll never be able to convince them otherwise.” She blew out a long-suffering sigh.
Henry practically choked. “What mummy?” he asked.
“Your friend, who was in the coffin and wrapped up like one. It’s silly, of course, but those three are young and tend to believe nonsense.”
Lady Norbright choked and looked to the blond who simply shook her head and shrugged.
That mummy was Ashford, who had yet to gain consciousness.
Henry’s stomach tightened in fear for his friend. The doctor said they’d simply need to wait to see if he woke, or didn’t.
If Ashford died, it would be all his fault. Henry had been the one to insist that Ashford and Keegan accompany them, as they knew where to find Harrington Manor. It was stupid. He could have gained directions from anyone once he arrived in Kirksbury, but Henry hadn’t been thinking all that clearly. Now his friend may die because Henry had been too panicked and irresponsible when he set out after Eve.
The redhead tilted her head and studied Henry. “I understand you are from Mayfair, Lord Kilsyth. By chance did you come in contact with the mummy before it was taken?”
Did this girl actually believe in the curse after all, or was she accusing him of theft?
“I did not,” Henry chastised. “Only Pickmore had that honor and I can assure you that neither of us took the thing.”
Eliza’s eyes widened. “Of course not. I’d never assume such a thing. I was simply curious, that is all.”
“Curious?” Lady Norbright asked in disbelief.
“Yes!” Eliza readily answered. “I’ve been reading the journals from Rosemary’s mother, when she had been in Egypt. I had hoped for another accounting of what a mummy looked like.”
“Well, you won’t be bothering Captain Pickmore for information, as he needs to recover from his injuries.”
“Yes. Of course,” Eliza dutifully dropped her chin as if scolded.
