Page 73
No. No. No.
Something unnamed shattered inside Cassius.
He met Beatrice’s pain-filled hazel eyes.
“I believe I’ve taken a ball to the thigh,” she whispered, as though surprised by the revelation.
Her eyelids fluttered as she slipped sideways from the horse.
Fletcher caught her, then lowered her to the ground.
As he swiftly dismounted, Father signaled to one of the nearby men. “Go for Doctor Hartney at once. And send a wagon back for Miss Fairfax. Also, alert the house. Tell the duchess to prepare a chamber.”
Bent low over the horse’s neck, Farrel, one of Hefferwickshire’s coachmen, raced for the mansion.
With his heart in his throat and buzzing in his ears, Cassius slid off the horse and tossed the reins to Tobie, another stable hand. “See to it that he has the very best care. He saved our lives.”
“Yes, my lord.” Tobie bobbed his head and ran a hand down the horse’s lathered neck.
Cassius dropped to his knees beside Beatrice.
“Beatrice. My Beatrice. Oh, God.”
Was that raw, savage cry from him?
Using his body to shield her from curious stares, he yanked her skirts up. Crimson covered her ivory left thigh and a miniature river flowed from a nasty gash.
That was why she’d cried out, and yet she’d managed to stay on the horse.
His heart swelled with pride and love for her.
Yes, love.
Cassius loved Beatrice.
Admiration thrummed through him, quickly followed by searing fear.
She must be all right. She must.
He hadn’t told her how he felt.
How could he when he’d just realized the truth himself?
Fletcher kneeled beside him and, having already removed his neckcloth, tied it around her leg to form a tourniquet. He had practiced medicine before walking away from the profession over a decade before. “Father, your cravat, please. We need to stop the bleeding. She’s already lost too much blood.”
At once, the duke handed over his perfectly starched neckcloth.
Her face translucent, Beatrice remained unresponsive.
“You have to save her, Fletcher.” The broken, tormented whisper ripped from Cassius’s throat. “I…I love her.”
