Page 4 of Rescuing Lord Inglewood

“And where is the man who told you to use the faulty rope?” Silas asked with a growl.

The other man shook his head. “He left, my lord, before the accident even happened.”

“Give information for contacting that man to—” Silas glanced around and settled on a footman. “To this man. I want his name, address, and place of business if he has one. After you have given the information, you may deal with Lady Sparton.”

He turned to the trembling woman, now being consoled by one of the maids while the other stared at the room where her mistress lay.

“What did Miss Fox do, exactly?”

“We were watching with everyone else, my lord.” She sniffled. “But she made us stand so close.”

“Miss Fox is always daring,” the most agitated maid said. “She was talking about Hermes.”

Silas reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Names, please.” Why did moments of crisis always unhinge people’s rational thought?

"Miss Linton,” the distressed woman said with a nod. “And this is my maid, Sarah. And this is Mary.”

“Mary,” Silas said while the maid dipped a curtsy. “You seem the most composed at the moment. Did you see everything that happened?”

She nodded. “Miss Fox ran out and knocked you out of the way. The statue would’ve hit you otherwise. When the statue hit the ground, pieces flew everywhere.”

The account now fit correctly in Silas’s mind. He owed Isaac’s sister his life. “Very well. The doctor is with her now. I will stay with the young lady and I think it is best she is not moved until the doctor gives other instructions. Miss Linton, I suggest you return to Miss Fox’s family, with the very helpful Mary, and tell them what has happened. I am certain someone will wish to come see to her well-being. Are you far from Miss Fox’s residence?”

“It’s a street over, my lord,” Mary said, bowing her head.

“Then walking will be faster than ordering a carriage.” He pointed to another Sparton footman. “You, lad. Go with them.” He could help the rattled women back and then return with whatever relative came in search of Esther.

Orders given, Silas turned and went back into the room occupied by the wounded young savior. He took in a deep breath as he approached. The doctor knelt beside the couch, and a servant stood against the wall waiting for orders.

“You have had a nasty bump on the head,” the doctor was saying, his voice low. Silas’s eyebrows lifted. Had she wakened? “But it isn’t so bad as it seems. Head injuries bleed excessively, even with the smallest of wounds. Most likely a piece of that statue clipped you as it flew by, causing no lasting damage. You are fortunate, miss.”

The tightness in Silas’s chest eased.

“Where am I?” Esther Fox’s voice, a pleasant alto, asked. From his angle, Silas could not see her face from behind the arm of the couch.

“Lord and Lady Sparton’s home,” the doctor answered. “How does your head feel?”

“As though it has been cleaved with an axe.”

The doctor chuckled, then covered the sound with his fist. He glanced up at Silas and immediately sobered. “I am told it was a stone depiction of Hermes that assaulted you, miss. And that your actions likely saved the life of another.”

She took in a shuddering breath. “The gentleman. Is he all right?” She made as if to move, her skirts rustling and her brown curls lifting above the arm of the couch for a moment before she groaned and laid back down, assisted by the doctor.

“He is perfectly fine, my dear. Please, lie still. I do not think you ought to move for at least an hour. Rest. You will likely have a headache, perhaps some nausea. It is best you do nothing to excite yourself for the rest of the day, perhaps two days, at the very least.” The doctor stood. “I believe you will be well again after some rest. I suggest you clean your hair very carefully, lest you reopen that wound. But you ought not need stitches. Merely time to heal.”

“Thank you, doctor.” Her voice was soft, resigned.

The doctor approached and fixed Silas with a most serious frown. “You heard my direction to the lady. I trust you can ensure she rests peacefully and is returned home with the least possible excitement.”

“Yes, doctor. Thank you.” Silas started to bow but the doctor interrupted the movement with a quick shake of his head.

“That girl saved your life, that is certain, but I am concerned that she will pay for her kindness with more than a nasty bump on the head.”

Silas narrowed his eyes. “I am not sure what you mean, doctor. I will see to it that Miss Fox is granted the rest and care she needs to recover from the ordeal.”

The doctor did not look as though he believed Silas. He pulled gloves from a pocket and put them back on his bare hands. “I will call on the young lady tomorrow morning. Fox, you said?”

Esther’s low voice came from the couch, evidence that she remained awake and alert. “I am staying at the home of my stepbrother, Mr. Aubrey.”