Page 51 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

Lizzie’s eyes grew wide. “That means someone will be at your townhouse as well.”

He hated the tears that welled in her eyes. “Do not fret. I assumed as much and have that covered. Now I want you to do what the doctor tells you, so we can be on the road as soon as possible.” He kissed her hand and stepped back, gesturing to the doctor. “I will be downstairs awaiting your report.”

He’d slipped up once again, not considering someone would be here since he’d been ordered to bring Lizzie to London. The fiend had been one step ahead of him, and that didn’t sit well. Never again would anyone harm his betrothed. It mattered not what he needed to do. He had Cam, and if necessary, he could drag Bedford and Templeton into it. The four of them had brought down Loverly; now the four of them would protect his daughter.

…

Lizzie watched Hawk’s retreating back and turned her attention to the doctor. The throbbing in her arm had increased with Honora and the maid shifting her around to get her out of her dress and into her nightgown.

“I am going to have to roll you to your side to look at your injury. I understand you were shot?” The doctor shook his head. “One wonders what is going on in this world. Most likely someone target-practicing while in his cups.”

Lizzie did not dispute the doctor’s assessment of what happened, since she was certain it was the man who wanted her dead. How she wanted her nice, peaceful life back! Once she’d escaped London and began her employment at Lord and Lady Wycliff’s home, she had breathed a sigh of relief that had lasted until Lord Hawkins had arrived.

Not that it was his doing that she’d been discovered and ordered to return to the Home Office for questioning. At least she had him on her side, now.

“Move closer with that candelabra,” the doctor barked at Lady Hawkins. Apparently, doctors were not moved by honor and rank.

She winced as the doctor prodded her wound. “Unfortunately, the bullet did not pass through, so I will need to remove it. It didn’t go too far into your arm, though,” he added, seeing her panicked look. He straightened up and turned to the maid. “Please bring me hot water and as many clean cloths as you can find.”

The maid scurried off as Honora approached the bed. “Do you think it might go better if Hawk is here with you, Lizzie?”

“Yes. I think so.” She hated the sound of her shaky voice, and she was no coward, but having a bullet dug out of her arm was not something she did every day. In some ways it bothered her that she depended on him to provide her with the strength necessary to face the ordeal. However, she excused her weakness—she’d been through a lot in a short period of time.

On another note, it was probably not proper to have him here in her bedchamber while she was in nothing more than her nightgown, but propriety be damned. She needed him.

Lady Hawkins placed the candelabra on the table next to her bed. Twisting her hands, she looked down at Lizzie. “I will wait downstairs, my dear. I’m afraid I’m not very good with these things. I will have Cook prepare some tea.” The poor woman made her escape as if a stiff wind pushed her from behind.

Within minutes of her departure, Hawk strode through the door and came right to her bedside. He went down on one knee and took her hand, kissing her knuckles. “I’m here, sweeting. It might help you to know I’ve been through this myself.”

The maid followed with a pile of cloths. Next to her was a footman with a bucket of steaming water. “Where do you want this, doctor?”

Busy taking out frightening-looking implements from his satchel and placing them on the bed next to her, he spoke over his shoulder. “Put the water next to me here and the cloths on the bed.”

Hawk walked to the other side of the bed and after removing his boots, climbed in next to her. “I don’t care if this is improper, I will be beside you during this, Lizzie.”

Instead of protesting, she was grateful for his company. The warmth from his body and the slight scent of spice and leather washed over her, comforting her more than any dose of laudanum had ever done.

The doctor looked up from his work. “I am ready, my lady. This might hurt, so please be brave.”

Lizzie nodded, and Hawk took her hand. “Squeeze my hand as hard as you have to. You will not break it, I assure you.”

As the doctor began to dig into her arm with the long forceps, she squeezed Hawk’s hand, a fine sheen of sweat breaking out all over her body. She whimpered and gritted her teeth, and squeezed her eyes shut.

“Breathe, Lizzie.”

Not realizing she was holding her breath, she let out a gasp of air.

After a few agonizing minutes, the doctor said, “I’m almost finished, my lady. It’s not deep.”

Lizzie nodded. Not long after he spoke, she heard a sucking sound and cried out as the doctor held up his forceps. “I got it.” The man looked as proud as if he’d just delivered a babe.

“Thank God.” She turned her face toward Hawk. She hadn’t realized it, but he’d been brushing her hair back the entire time.

“Are you well, sweetheart?”

She nodded, not sure if her voice would work.

The doctor dropped the bullet into a small pan. “I will clean up the wound and stitch it. Then I’ll leave you with some laudanum. That will bring on a peaceful night’s sleep.”