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This morning, though, she’d merely been swimming because the frigid waves had sounded far more appealing than remaining a moment longer in that forsaken room she’d been attempting to sleep in at the Golden Arms. The swim was supposed to have been brief, just long enough for the sun to rise so she could begin her walk to Sennen. Then that net had appeared.

Revealing all of that would lead to other questions, though—where was her family? And where was she headed to alone?

Tears flooded her eyes, but she forced them away with annoyance. Now was not the time to wither away like the dormant grass of winter. And yet, what could she say?

“I…I don’t…” She stopped, unable to lie yet unable to speak the truth.

Mrs. Honeysett rested a gentle hand on her arm. “Ye can stop now, dear,” she cooed. “I know it be ’ard for ye to remember.”

Morvoren froze, the pathway before her illuminated by the woman’s bright words. Slowly, she nodded, allowing Mrs. Honeysett’s explanation to be her own.

“Yes, ’tis difficult to remember,” she mumbled.

Morvoren should have corrected Mrs. Honeysett, should have told her that she remembered everything perfectly. But she would not snub the lifeline thrown toward her.

“That be more ’an fine,” Mrs. Honeysett continued. “Ye’ve been through a terrible thing. Rest now. Dr. Kent’ll be ’ere soon.”

As the ache in Morvoren’s head steadily spread to her temples and splayed out across her forehead, the physician finally arrived, and he and Mrs. Honeysett whispered quietly in the corner of the room.

Morvoren could only guess what the two of them were speaking about, but with exhaustion, cold, and aches spreading throughout her person, she was beginning to care less and less about anything but going to sleep again.

No, she couldn’t sleep. She needed to stay awake. She needed to get back to St. Just. She’d sit in the inn for the next twelve hours if she needed to, so long as she boarded that stagecoach.

After another moment, Mrs. Honeysett led the physician forward. “This be Dr. Benjamin Kent. Dr. Kent, Morvoren ’Ollow.”

Morvoren nodded, and the man greeted her with a kind smile. “Good day,” he said in an accent even more proper than Uncle’s—or rather, what Uncle had changed his to be. “My name is Dr. Benjamin Kent. I understand you’ve had quite the morning, Miss Hollow.”

Morvoren nodded in silence, clearing her throat and trying to sit upright. How could the Honeysetts afford such a fine physician? Surely they didn’t expect Morvoren to be able to afford him.

Dr. Kent raised a hand, signaling for her to remain still. “I should like to conduct a quick examination of your wounds, Miss Hollow, just to ensure all is well. Will that be all right with you?”

Morvoren glanced to Mrs. Honeysett with a wary eye. “I…I can’t pay for a physician.”

“Ye needn’t worry ’bout that, dear,” Mrs. Honeysett responded.

Morvoren lowered a brow. Not worry about payment? This could not be simple charity work for the physician. And surely such fine care could not be afforded by a fisherman’s mother—and a fisherman’s wife, perhaps? Where was the man of the house?

Dr. Kent placed the vase of white flowers at the back of the table to allow room for his medical bag. “Mrs. Honeysett and I have an agreement,” he explained. “I’m quite partial to her stargazey pies, and since my lovely wife cannot make them—she can’t stomach the smell, right now, you see—Mrs. Honeysett delivers me a lovely warm pie every time I see to one of her family members or friends.” He leaned forward, pretending to lower his voice. “Just between you and me, I receive the better end of the bargain.”

“Oh, I think not,” Mrs. Honeysett piped in with a soft laugh.

Dr. Kent went about his examination, checking Morvoren’s pulse, listening to her breathing, feeling the bump on her head, then requesting to see her ankle. All the while, Mrs. Honeysett and Poppy remained in the corner of the room, silent, as the doctor asked a few clarifying questions about Morvoren’s injuries and jotted a few notes down on a piece of paper.

After his assessment, he stood, rinsing his hands off in the bowl of water Poppy had brought in earlier.

“Well, Miss Hollow, I’m pleased to tell you that I have no concerns with your current state. I expect you to make a full recovery, despite all you have been through this morning.”

Finally, some good news.

“However…”

Her stomach tightened.

“Since we are unaware of where your family is at the moment, I feel it is important for you to remain under Mrs. Honeysett’s care until that knowledge returns. I should also like to ensure the rest of the water has been fully expelled from your lungs, so I would advise that you remain abed at least until tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Morvoren asked, unable to hide her distressed tone.

Dr. Kent studied her, drying his hands on a rag. “I’m afraid so. Your head wound is minimal and should not bother you for long if you receive plenty of sleep and rest. As for your ankle, fortunately, there is no sign of anything but a small sprain. I recommend elevating the foot and remaining off of it for a full day. Wrapping it with a cool compress or salve ought to help, as well. When the swelling dissipates, you may begin to take small walks, but I would recommend that you avoid long distances for a week, at the very least.”