A shadow fell over us. It was Marlow and another one of his men. “He’s bleeding badly. Fetch the surgeon at once.” His final companion wasted no time racing off to obey the duke’s orders. “Miss Newbury,” Marlow said, softening his voice. “You must come with me.”
“Don’t you see this man?” I could hardly speak. “He needs attention.”
A muscle twitched in Marlow’s jaw, and I realized I did not know him at all. Was he angry? Offended? “His driver will transport him home.”
“Alone?” I put my hand on Charlie’s arm, and Marlow’s eyes followed.
“My carriage is here,” he clipped. “Miss Ollerton is already safe inside. I must ride ahead on horseback and alert your family. Please, do as I say and join her.”
Marlow wasn’t thinking. He was angry with me, but I could not let him punish Charlie for my mistakes. “I must insist—”
“Isaid—”
“He needs me!” I shouted.
Marlow swore under his breath, clearly more at me than at our predicament. But how could I even listen to him when his recommendation might cost Charlie his life? How could he ask me to leave right now?
Charlie shifted, moaning and writhing in pain. He’d fainted, but he was coming to.
“Charlie,” I breathed. “You’re hurt. Do not move.”
But of course he did not listen. “It’s not so bad,” he slurred, his voice pained and weak.
“Itisbad. You must come with me. Can you stand?”
He groaned, and I took that as my answer. But what could I do? I had not the strength to lift a man alone.
The Ollertons’ carriage rolled to a stop near us, and the coachman hopped down.
“She is erratic. Illogical,” Marlow said to him. “I cannot get her away from this man. Get him in your carriagenowand set off.”
I stood, seething with anger and pain and frustration, and faced Marlow directly. We were running out of time. “Your Grace, I am not asking for your permission. Mr. Winston just saved my life, and I intend on saving his. I am riding inhiscarriage.”
Marlow surveyed Charlie, then searched my face. At first glance, he was cold and unwelcoming, frustrated and understandably so, but there was something else too. I hoped it was compassion.
“Please,” I begged. “I swear I shall do whatever you ask of me when we return home.”
Jaw clenched, he motioned for help. He and the driver heaved Charlie up and carried him over. His middle swam with blood as they laid him on the carriage seat.
“He’ll slide off as soon as we start moving, miss, but I don’t see how he can sit upright either,” the driver said.
“Then I shall sit on the floor and hold him up.”
The driver nodded solemnly, moving out of my way.
I climbed into the carriage and knelt beside Charlie. His face was white, his breathing shallow.
Marlow reached in from behind me and handed me his cravat. “Apply hard pressure to his stomach if you can. And hold him steady. I’ll ride ahead to prepare Ivy Manor, and my carriage with Miss Ollerton will lead you home.”
I nodded, blinking back my tears, and he closed the door behind him.
“Rosalind,” Charlie whispered, swallowing hard. “This isn’t proper.” He spoke each word slowly.
I smiled despite myself and wiped away the moisture in my eyes. I summoned all my courage. “Now I know you aren’t in a right state of mind. I can think of many times where you and I have thrown propriety to the wind.”
The carriage jolted forward, and his body rolled toward me. Already the cabin bench and walls were stained with his blood. I pressed my hands and all my weight against him, and he moaned.
“I’ve got you, Charlie,” I whispered as he settled backward. I folded Marlow’s cravat and pressed the already drenched cloth against his stomach, trying not to focus on the sharp metallic scent of his blood.
