Rob pointed his cup at Agnes. “This angel come to earth did it.”
It turned out there were rolls in addition to fresh bread, the smell giving light to a dark morning.
“I’ll just fetch these up to Dr. Farley and Mrs. Corbin,” Agnes said, laying a platter in front of them. “You two eat up. You need your strength.”
Eli plunged in with vigor, but Rob found he couldn’t. Lucy arrived in a clean frock and apron with her hair piled on her head in a way that gave Rob a view of the column of her neck.
This sight across the breakfast table every day would get my days off to a good start.He realized what the random thought implied and shoved it away.Don’t be a fool, Benson!
Lucy frowned at him so deeply he wondered what his own expression had conveyed. He forced his eyes down to the coffee in front of him.
“There’s no point in sitting here all morning,” he growled. “I want to go take a look at that bridge.”
“It would feel better to be busy,” Eli agreed. “I’ll go with you.”
Before they could move, the disturbance from above stairs drove everything else from their minds.
“Robbie,” Emma screamed down the stairs. “Come!”
Rob took the stairs two at a time, his brother close beside him. Agnes and the Thatchers stood in the hallway looking worried, but the joy on Emma’s face where she leaned on the doorframe relieved him. They hurried in to find Farley leaning over the bed, examining the shoulder wound. He grinned up at them.
“He didn’t like me poking and prodding,” the doctor said. “When I started examining him, he frowned…”
“He did, Robbie,” Emma exclaimed, wringing her hands. “I saw his face move.”
Rob looked at the physician. “A good sign?”
“He also tried to lift his hand to bat me away. I would say yes.”
Emma threw herself in Rob’s arms, and he grinned at Eli over her back. Behind Eli, Lucy’s encouraging smile warmed his heart. “How long until we know more?”
“I wish I knew,” Farley answered. “I have to caution you, he isn’t entirely out of danger.”
“Understood,” Rob murmured.
“If I might make some suggestions,” Lucy said, drawing all eyes with her brisk practical tone, “Emma must eat and nap.” Emma started to protest, but Lucy overrode her. “I will sit with Mr. Benson for now. You will rest across the hall in the room Eli used last night. You’re no good to anyone if you drop. Sir Robert and Eli, didn’t you plan to have a look at the bridge? It will do you both good to have something to do. Go!” No one gainsaid her.
Rob met Eli at the foot of the stairs, eager to be about something constructive. A knock at the door kept them from heading out. They opened it to find Ellis Corbin.
“I only came to see how he goes on. Alice has the wee ones, and half of Ashmead is at the Willow clamoring for news.” He glanced up the stairs behind them, “Emma!” He ran up to embrace his wife at the top.
“Emma will bring him up to speed,” Eli said. “Let’s—”
The sound of hoofbeats in the drive interrupted him. The earl rode up alone.
“Well met,” Eli called. “Robbie and I are going to inspect that bridge.”
Rob heaved a sigh, uncertain how he felt about involving the earl.
Clarion leaned over the horse’s neck. “Does that mean he’s better?”
“Better,” Rob said, “But not out of the woods. You don’t have to join us.”
“Let me come.”
The two men stared at each other.
Could Clarion be behind the rash of sabotage? Unlikely, and yet…
