A Certain Threat (The Merriman Chronicles Book 1) by Roger Burnage

sure he did his best, but he missed one.  I’m surprised that the wound has not festered.  If it had you would have been fortunate not to have lost your arm entirely.  I strongly recommend that you allow me to deal with it as soon as possible.”
    Merriman sat down with a bump, cl utching his arm, his eyes closed in anguish at the thought of more surgery.
    “ I know what you are thinking” said the doctor, “You’re like most people, you would rather face an enemy broadside than the surgeon’s knife.  However, I can promise you that you will not feel anything at the time though there will be some discomfort while it heals.”
    “ Very well then, you had better do what you think is best Doctor.”
    When they returned downstairs they found Mrs. Merriman waiting in the hall.
    “Oh Doctor, how is it, how is James’ arm?”  she asked anxiously.
    “ Don’t fret Ma’am, all will be well.  I must open the arm and remove a piece of shot, but I am sure that it will heal satisfactorily.  Now if my carriage can be called I’ll go home to collect what I need and return as fast as I can.  The sooner I do this the better.”
    “ Thank you Doctor, you see James, I was sure that you needed help.”
    “ Yes Mother, you were right as usual.” said Merriman resignedly,  “I must go and have a large brandy before the good Doctor starts cutting me up.”
    “ No Sir, no spirits of any kind.  As your doctor I forbid it.  I shall be giving you a draught to make you sleep and it does not mix well with spirits.”
    The doctor departed and Merriman and his mother joined the rest of the family and guests to tell them what was to happen.
    “ Pleased to hear it,” said Captain Merriman, “we were sure that something could be done for you.”
    In due time the doctor returned with his bag of necessities and he and Merriman retired upstairs after instructing a maid to bring up some boiling water.
    “ Please strip to the waist and lie down James.  I trust that you do not mind if I call you James.”  He busied himself with a small phial of some clear liquid.  “Now James I want you to drink this.  It will send you into a deep sleep and all will be over when you waken.”
    It was even so.  Merriman came to his senses some time later to find his mother sitting beside him holding his good hand.  His other arm was bandaged from the elbow to the fingertips but apart from a dull throbb ing he could feel nothing.
    “ The doctor tells us that you will be right as rain in a few days,” she said .
    “ That’s right James” said another voice.  He turned his head to see the doctor on his other side.  “Would you like to keep a souvenir of my efforts?”
    The doctor extended his hand.  “This is what I removed from your arm whilst you slept.”  Merriman saw a piece of metal about an inch long together with a small nail.
    “ Thank you Doctor, I was foolish to doubt you.  I suppose I was frightened to admit I needed help.”
    “ Never mind that James.  Now If you feel able to sit up, your mother and I will make you presentable.  Everybody wants to come and see you.”
    Merriman sat up on the edge of the bed. The room spun round a few times then settled down.  His mother an d the doctor helped him on with a fresh shirt and the doctor tied a cloth round his neck supporting his arm.  “I want you to keep your arm as still as possible for the next week,” he said, “it will help the wound to heal.”
    They helped him into a chair and his mother fussed around him, sponging his face and combing his hair.  “Mother, I’m not a complete invalid,” he protested.
    “ I know dear, but it gives me great pleasure to do it for you.  It’s been too many years since I could.”
    The whole family wanted to s ee him.  His father cheerful and hearty, Emily giving him a kiss and a hug and brother Matthew rather subdued, perhaps only now really understanding what the King’s service demanded in terms of pain and