to keep his expression neutral. The Sheridans’ initial euphoria at having their sister returned to them was quickly turning to anger at her condition. Clarence suspected blame would soon again be apportioned to him, which was only right and proper since that was where it belonged.
“Oh my goodness!” The duchess took in Clarence’s words, and looked close to losing consciousness herself. “The poor, poor child.”
“Her determination held until she got home. Now she feels safe, her body has closed down so it can heal.” Or at least, Clarence hoped that was the case and there was nothing permanently wrong with her.
Faraday came in with the broth Clarence had asked for.
“Make sure there’s a good fire in Lady Annalise’s room,” Winchester told him. “And have the bed warmed, and put plenty of blankets on it.”
“Arrangements are already in hand, your grace.”
“Lady Annalise.”
Still holding her hand, which was gradually warming, Clarence squeezed it and spoke loudly to his brave, damaged, totally exhausted angel. Eventually her eyes fluttered open, and this time they looked a little less cloudy.
“Lord Romsey?” She blinked. “Where am I?”
“Sheridan House,” the duchess said, wiping away tears. “You are quite safe now, my love. Take a little broth. It will warm you.”
When the duchess placed the spoon to her lips, Clarence was pleased to see a few sips slide down her throat.
“No more,” Lady Annalise said, pushing the spoon away. “I feel like I will choke on it.”
“Doctor Fisher,” Faraday said from the doorway.
The doctor introduced himself to Anna. Having examined her, he dressed her various cuts, declaring none needed stitching, and said she was now warm enough to be removed to her chamber.
“She ought not to be left alone overnight,” he said. “Call me again if her situation deteriorates.” He packed up his bag, shaking his head. “Terrible business. I don’t know what the world is coming to.”
Once the doctor left, Winchester went to lift his sister from her chair, but Lady Annalise raised her arms towards Clarence instead. The brothers exchanged another of their speaking looks.
“I’ll show you the way,” Winchester said curtly.
Clarence gently picked Lady Annalise up. She was as light as a feather in his arms, but thankfully more aware of her surroundings than when he last lifted her. The duchess followed them up the stairs.
“Her maid and I will take turns watching her,” she said.
“So, what happens now?” Vince asked when Clarence and Winchester returned to the drawing room.
“We must wait until later today, when hopefully Lady Annalise will be able to tell us more about who took her and where she was held. Then we will decide.” Clarence yawned. “In the meantime, I suggest we all get some sleep.”
“I have arranged a chamber for you here, Lady St. John,” Winchester said. “Faraday has sent round to the Bexley residence for your things. I would be happier if you remained with us until we get to the bottom of this matter. It is clearly you who was the target of this atrocity, and I feel responsible for you.”
Frankie nodded. “Very well. I feel responsible too, despite what you say. Anna should not have had to suffer on my account.”
“We are all tired,” Winchester said, stifling a yawn. “Let’s leave the recriminations for later.”
“I shall return this afternoon,” Clarence said, shaking Winchester’s hand. “Hopefully Lady Annalise will be in a position to talk to us then.”
***
Was she dead? When Anna felt an agonising pain rip through her shoulder, she wished she was. But she was fairly sure one didn’t feel pain once one died. Now the pain had gone completely, and she could move her shoulder. Yes, definitely dead then, but it was almost worth it to be rid of the pain. And to feel warm again.
Strong arms lifted her, carrying her up a flight of stairs, murmuring reassurances in a melodic voice that she found
“Oh my goodness!” The duchess took in Clarence’s words, and looked close to losing consciousness herself. “The poor, poor child.”
“Her determination held until she got home. Now she feels safe, her body has closed down so it can heal.” Or at least, Clarence hoped that was the case and there was nothing permanently wrong with her.
Faraday came in with the broth Clarence had asked for.
“Make sure there’s a good fire in Lady Annalise’s room,” Winchester told him. “And have the bed warmed, and put plenty of blankets on it.”
“Arrangements are already in hand, your grace.”
“Lady Annalise.”
Still holding her hand, which was gradually warming, Clarence squeezed it and spoke loudly to his brave, damaged, totally exhausted angel. Eventually her eyes fluttered open, and this time they looked a little less cloudy.
“Lord Romsey?” She blinked. “Where am I?”
“Sheridan House,” the duchess said, wiping away tears. “You are quite safe now, my love. Take a little broth. It will warm you.”
When the duchess placed the spoon to her lips, Clarence was pleased to see a few sips slide down her throat.
“No more,” Lady Annalise said, pushing the spoon away. “I feel like I will choke on it.”
“Doctor Fisher,” Faraday said from the doorway.
The doctor introduced himself to Anna. Having examined her, he dressed her various cuts, declaring none needed stitching, and said she was now warm enough to be removed to her chamber.
“She ought not to be left alone overnight,” he said. “Call me again if her situation deteriorates.” He packed up his bag, shaking his head. “Terrible business. I don’t know what the world is coming to.”
Once the doctor left, Winchester went to lift his sister from her chair, but Lady Annalise raised her arms towards Clarence instead. The brothers exchanged another of their speaking looks.
“I’ll show you the way,” Winchester said curtly.
Clarence gently picked Lady Annalise up. She was as light as a feather in his arms, but thankfully more aware of her surroundings than when he last lifted her. The duchess followed them up the stairs.
“Her maid and I will take turns watching her,” she said.
“So, what happens now?” Vince asked when Clarence and Winchester returned to the drawing room.
“We must wait until later today, when hopefully Lady Annalise will be able to tell us more about who took her and where she was held. Then we will decide.” Clarence yawned. “In the meantime, I suggest we all get some sleep.”
“I have arranged a chamber for you here, Lady St. John,” Winchester said. “Faraday has sent round to the Bexley residence for your things. I would be happier if you remained with us until we get to the bottom of this matter. It is clearly you who was the target of this atrocity, and I feel responsible for you.”
Frankie nodded. “Very well. I feel responsible too, despite what you say. Anna should not have had to suffer on my account.”
“We are all tired,” Winchester said, stifling a yawn. “Let’s leave the recriminations for later.”
“I shall return this afternoon,” Clarence said, shaking Winchester’s hand. “Hopefully Lady Annalise will be in a position to talk to us then.”
***
Was she dead? When Anna felt an agonising pain rip through her shoulder, she wished she was. But she was fairly sure one didn’t feel pain once one died. Now the pain had gone completely, and she could move her shoulder. Yes, definitely dead then, but it was almost worth it to be rid of the pain. And to feel warm again.
Strong arms lifted her, carrying her up a flight of stairs, murmuring reassurances in a melodic voice that she found
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