Kingston knelt at Jaclyn’s side, feeling for a pulse as his mind raced. He leaned down, tilting her head back to clear her airway before gently pinching her nose and breathing into her mouth. His heart thundered in his chest as he administered the breaths, praying she would respond. After a few moments, her chest rose and fell, shallow at first, but at least she was breathing. “She’s breathing. Barely,” Kingston muttered, his voice rough with relief. He looked up at Lord Easton. “I’m taking her to Easton Abbey. Fetch a doctor immediately. She needs proper care.”
Easton nodded swiftly, already turning his mount to head toward the house. Kendal, however, took Kingston’s coat from the ground and with quick movements, draped it over Jaclyn’s damp, shivering body, her soaked gown clinging to her frame.
Next to Lord Kendal, Lady Melisande stood in nothing but her shift. It was nearly transparent from her swim in the pond. Kingston glanced away not really caring about the other girl. All of his concern was for Jaclyn.
“Ye should have more sense, Lady Melisande,” Lord Kendal remarked dryly, but there was no malice in his tone. His eyes lingered on Jaclyn’s unconscious form as he settled the coat more firmly around her shoulders. “This behavior is far too scandalous, even for someone of yer disposition.” He motioned toward Jaclyn. “Ye could be in a similar situation.”
“I’m not a clumsy fool like her,” Melisande spat out.
“Ye silly foolish lass,” Kendal said in a scathing tone. He was no longer looking at her in a disinterested fashion. Anger seeped through his gaze as he stared up at her. “She could have died and we do not know the extent of the damage done tae her yet. Not until a doctor has seen tae her.” He stood and pulled off his coat and then draped it over Melisande. “Get yer gown. I am escorting you and your other friend back to the school.” Kendal glared at her. “I will have a word with yer headmistress about yer behavior here.” He turned toward the other girl. “What is yer name, lass? I doona believe we have been introduced.’
“I… I…” She reached up and brushed a stray flaxen lock behind her ear. Her golden eyes were stark with terror. “I am Lady Ella Winslow,” she finally said.
“It is a pleasure to make yer acquaintance Lady Ella,” Kendal replied smoothly. “Help me with yer friend’s garments. We will inform yer headmistress of what has happened and where yer friend will be taken to be seen by the doctor.” With those words he started forward practically dragging Melisande along. Lady Ella fell into step beside them. Kingston did not care what happened with the other two ladies. All of his concern was for Jaclyn.
Kingston stood holding Jaclyn carefully, keeping her close as if afraid that the world might pull her away from him. The tension in his chest had not yet released; his mind was still racing over the sight of her drowning in front of him.
“Easton,” Kingston said in an even tone, though it was laced with urgency. “We need to get her to the Abbey now. I am going to hand her over to you and mount my horse. Then I want you to lift her up to me so I can get her there faster.”
Easton gave him a curt nod. “I will be right behind you with the doctor.”
Kingston nodded, appreciating Easton’s practical approach. He would ensure Jaclyn’s health was seen to first. “Thank you,” Kingston muttered, turning back toward his horse. He handed Jaclyn over to the marquess and quickly mounted his horse. Once Easton lifted her up to him and he had her settled in his arms, he flicked the reins. His horse flew into a gallop as he raced toward the abbey. His mind barely registered Easton’s own mounting of his horse and his departure toward the doctor. The pounding of his heart and the weight of Jaclyn in his arms dominated his senses. He was not prepared for the emotions stirring within him, but for the moment, he forced them down. He would protect her. He would do whatever it took to ensure she was safe.
It did not take him long to reach the abbey. Once there he carefully dismounted keeping Jaclyn nestled in his arms. As he crossed the threshold of Easton Abbey, the cold water from the pond still clinging to his clothes, he was aware of nothing except Jaclyn and the terrible fear that had gripped him.
Kingston's heart was pounding as he carried Jaclyn through the foyer of Easton Abbey. He could feel the dampness of the water soaking into his breeches and the chill still clinging to his skin, but it barely registered. The only thing that mattered was the woman in his arms. She was still unconscious, her breath shallow, and though her pulse had strengthened slightly, he was not certain of her condition. He could not let her slip away, not when he had come so close to losing her. He had almost lost her in that pond, and that fear still gripped him, tightening his chest as though a vise were slowly crushing him. Kingston could not fathom why this all suddenly mattered to him. He only knew that it did. That she did…
The staff at Easton Abbey bustled around, but Kingston’s gaze remained fixed on Jaclyn. His grip tightened protectively as he maneuvered through the hall toward the drawing room, where he knew a fire had been lit. He needed warmth, he needed her to wake, and he needed the reassurance that she would be fine. He could not lose her—he would not.
“Sir, let me help you,” a maid exclaimed, rushing to assist him as he crossed the threshold. He barely acknowledged her; his attention solely focused on the fragile form in his arms. He carefully laid her down on the settee by the fire, his fingers brushing her cold skin. The sight of her, pale and drenched, was almost more than he could bear.
“A bedchamber needs to be readied,” Kingston barked. “Immediately.”
The maid scurried off, leaving him alone with Jaclyn. He sat beside her, holding her hand gently, his eyes never leaving her face. His mind raced. How had this happened? The events from earlier were still too fresh in his mind. Her struggle in the water… He could not erase the sight of her body being pulled under the surface, and the terror he had felt in those moments… It was not something he would soon forget. It had taken everything in him to reach her in time, to pull her from the water, but now that she was here, he had to pray she would wake. Pray that she would be fine.
Lady Easton appeared at the door. “What has happened?” Her voice was full of panic as she stepped closer to them. She lifted her hand to her chest as she stared down at her friend.
Kingston barely nodded at her in acknowledgment; his gaze still fixed on Jaclyn. He could not make sense of the emotions swirling within him. He had thought he wanted revenge, and perhaps he still did, but for now he could set that aside. Jaclyn meant something to him. Something he was not ready to identify.
He had never imagined himself feeling anything but disdain for her, yet here he was, unable to shake the feelings that had risen with every heartbeat. The more he thought about it, the clearer it became. She had been a part of his life for such a short time really, and only in scandal—but something had shifted. Something important and he could not lose her before he unraveled it all.
“Will she be all right?” Lady Easton asked.
Kingston glanced at her. He could see she was concerned, and he should offer her some comfort, but he had little answers to offer her. “She’ll be fine, I think. The doctor will know more once he examines her.” He offered her a faint smile. “Your husband had gone for the doctor. A maid is preparing a chamber for her. We will settle her there once it is ready.”
Lady Easton stared at her friend. “I will check on the progress. She will be all right. I will not accept anything less.” She turned and left the sitting room.
Kingston exhaled a slow breath, and for the first time since the ordeal began, he allowed himself a moment of reprieve, but his thoughts were anything but calm. Pushing aside the tumult of his emotions, Kingston leaned closer to Jaclyn, brushing a stray lock of damp hair from her forehead. "You are stronger than you seem," he murmured, though he did not expect her to hear. "And I swear, I will not allow you to leave me."
Minutes later, the Lady Easton rushed back into the room. “The chamber is ready. Follow me, Your Grace.”
He lifted Jaclyn into his arms and fell in step behind the marchioness. They went up a grand staircase and headed up to the west wing of the house. She stopped outside of a bedchamber that was not far from Kingston’s own room. He couldn’t help wondering if Lady Easton had arranged that on purpose.
They went inside and he settled Jaclyn on the bed. “Her wet clothes need to be removed,” he said.
“I will see to it,” Lady Easton told him. “Once you leave the bedchamber.”
He did not want to go, but he knew he had to. It was not proper for him to be in the room as her clothing was removed. “I will wait for the doctor downstairs and direct him where to find her.”
