Page 85 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

“She went upstairs to Gil,” Annabeth told him. “Aunt Adeline took Grandmother to her room, thank goodness.”

“Has he awakened?”

“Once.” Annabeth’s voice quavered. “Potter and Bennett had to hold him down. He was so agitated that Bennett made him drink some brandy. He went back to sleep, but he’s been very restless.”

“I have to take the ball out,” the doctor said, rising to his feet. “We must move him to a table with more light.”

“The dining room,” Carlisle said. “Annabeth, go tell Bennett. Potter, you and Hargrove, help me lift him. Gently, men, gently.”

Carlisle took Nathan’s head and shoulders, wincing as Nathan let out a groan when they lifted him from the couch. They proceeded as carefully as they could out the door and down the hall, but it was impossible not to jar their patient. Nathan’s eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Carlisle. Carlisle felt him relax. “You’re here. Thank God.”

“Yes. I’m here. You’re going to be all right.”

“Diggs. He—”

“Shot you. Yes, I know. Nathan, save your energy; there’s no need to talk.”

“Gil—”

“He’s fine. Don’t worry.”

“No.” Nathan shook his head weakly. “Hurt him. I didn’t—I’m sorry. I tried...stop him.”

Carlisle stopped instantly at his words, going cold all over. Nathan let out a hiss of pain at the jerky movement. “Who, Nathan? You tried to stop whom?”

“Diggs. Help Gil.”

“Gil’s safe,” Carlisle assured him, his mind racing. “He’s fine.”

They had reached the dining room at last, and the men lay Nathan down on the table. The two footmen stepped back, but Carlisle leaned over the table to gaze into his friend’s face. “Nathan, why did Diggs shoot you?”

“Caught him...” Nathan’s gaze wavered, eyelids fluttering closed.

“No. Stay with me. Nathan...”

The doctor came up beside Carlisle, edging him aside. “Mr. Thorne... I must operate.”

“Yes. Of course.” Carlisle stepped back from the table and walked over to Annabeth, standing in the doorway. “Where’s Diggs?”

Annabeth shook her head. “I’ve no idea. What was Nathan saying? He kept muttering in his sleep all the while you were gone.”

“What did he say?”

“He said your name or Gil’s over and over, and sometimes he said he was sorry.” Tears glinted in her eyes. “Oh, Carlisle, Nathan didn’t try to hurt Gil, did he? He couldn’t have.”

“I’ve no idea what’s going on. I can’t imagine Nathan doing that either. He just told me—he seemed to be saying that he tried to stop Diggs, that he caught him. He told me to help Gil. Was the situation the exact opposite of what Diggs told us?”

“What!” Annabeth stiffened. “I knew Nathan couldn’t have tried to hurt Gil.”

“I’ve never felt so at sea in my life. I must see Noelle. And Gil.” Carlisle took her arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Stay with Nathan, will you? I have to go.”

“Of course. I’ll be right here.”

He started toward the door, gesturing at one of the footmen to follow. “Potter. Where’s Diggs?”

“I don’t know, sir.”

“Find him. I want to talk to him.”