Unable to think of such a possibility right now, Viola started readying the supplies that would soon be required, like compresses, bandages and the needle and waxed silk thread Florian would use for the sutures.
It took longer than Viola had hoped before Henry was stitched up and ready to be moved, or maybe time just worked differently when the life of a person one loved hung in the balance.
“Will you tell me what happened?” Florian asked as he and Viola followed the orderlies carrying Henry up to the room where he would be staying.
She gave him a quick outline of recent events and saw his expression darken. “Perhaps I ought to examine you next?”
“I’m fine,” Viola assure him. “I wasn’t struck too badly.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
Florian nodded. “Let me ask if Robert’s here as well then. I’ll meet you upstairs in a minute.” Florian left her, arriving as he’d promised almost immediately after Viola reached Henry’s room.
“He’s with Gilford,” Florian said in reference to another surgeon in St. Agatha’s employ. “Haines is attending.”
“Do you know if the authorities have been notified of Robert’s attempt to kill Henry?”
“Mr. Andrews was in the foyer. He and Hawthorne were keeping company with Wilmington and a Bow Street officer. I don’t expect Robert to leave here a free man, Viola.” He glanced at her over his shoulder. “Attempted murder carries the death sentence with it.”
“I know.” She went to stand on the opposite side of the bed. “He looks so peaceful right now.”
“That will likely change when he wakes.” Florian sighed. “I have to inform our parents and Mr. Faulkner too. I expect you’ll be staying here with him?”
“Naturally.”
Florian surveyed the room. “I’ll have a cot brought in so you can lie down for a bit. Call for me when he wakes, all right?”
Viola appreciated him sayingwhen, rather thanif. “I’ll do so right away.”
He met her gaze just long enough to reveal his own pain before turning away and striding back out into the hallway. There was nothing left for him to do.
Chapter 28
He was back in a bloody hospital bed with aches and pains twisting beneath his ribs. Henry sucked in a breath and felt the tight pull of his wound as it stretched in response to the effort. Christ, this had to stop happening! His brain felt sluggish, so he couldn’t quite remember... Oh yes... there it was... Robert’s attack, the fighting that followed and the penetrating sharpness that sliced through his chest
“Viola.” He could scarcely hear his own voice. Trying again, he forced out a louder sound than before and was swiftly rewarded by the touch of her hand.
“I’m here,” she whispered while carefully touching his cheek. It felt so wonderfully cool until her hand moved, settling more firmly against his forehead. “You’re hot.”
“Water,” he managed. His throat felt much like Newton’s tongue; prickly and rough.
A glass was held to his lips but swallowing the contents was a struggle when the effort of raising his head required the use of his muscles—muscles that presently screamed to be left alone.
It only got worse when Viola pressed down on his chest. “Hell and damnation,” he cried through the pain.
“I’ll be back in a second,” she said as she left his side, heedless of his groans.
“Viola!” Her name sliced through his chest and he clutched at the sheets. She mustn’t leave him. Now not. Not when he needed her most. “Viola!”
Viola skidded round a corner almost falling to her knees as she raced through the hallways, slamming doors open and nearly colliding with a couple of nurses. She didn’t care. The only thing that mattered right now was Henry and saving his life.
She burst into Florian’s office. He wasn’t there. Dear God. She drew a deep breath and continued her search, bursting into one operating room after another until she found him. “There’s infection,” she gasped. “He’s burning up.”
“Take over,” Florian told the assisting surgeon and handed him his scalpel. He followed Viola from the room, quickening his pace until he jogged behind her. “Bring a syringe and some cannulas along with a discharge tube up to room twenty,” he called to Emily as they passed her on the way.
Before they even arrived on his floor, Viola could hear creative expletives immediately followed by shouted groans and her name.
