He managed to drain the glass before slumping back against the cushions, and Jane took it from Rose as Rose counted the seconds, waiting for the alcohol to kick in and give him some ease.
‘The doctor is on his way?’
Her father placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. ‘He is, but it is a good ride from Winchester.’
The knowledge did little to comfort Rose. This was no time for delay.
Aiden’s breathing gradually became more even, and Rose got to her feet and turned around. Her father was eyeing her with sympathy, but it was Jane’s gaze she sought.
‘I need to get him home, Jane. As soon as he’s been attended to.’
Jane pursed her lips, and Rose frowned. Had there been a fleeting look of concern on the lady’s face?
‘Jane—’
A loud rap came on the door and the housekeeper entered to announce the apothecary, and Jane insisted on Rose leaving the room. Conscious she was trying to distract her from whatever might be happening and all that Aiden might have to go through, Rose did as she was asked, grateful to her father when he promised he would stay behind to do what he could.
Mr Curtis was taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeves as they left the room, and they stood aside as two manservants came hurrying along the hall bearing hot water.
‘I will need your assistance, sir, to restrain him.’ The apothecary turned to Mr Wallace, who nodded.
Rose caught her father’s eye from inside the room, and he smiled reassuringly at her before closing the door, and reluctantly she followed Jane from the house.
‘Come, it will not do for you to hear anything.’
A moment of panic gripped Rose, and she grabbed Jane’s arm. ‘We must get him home as soon as the doctor leaves, Jane.’
Jane then inclined her head. ‘As soon as he is well enough to move.’
Trying to modulate her breathing, Rose allowed Jane to take her arm as she led her over to the terrace where the picnic had been held, well away from the house. She had no idea what they talked about, or how much time was passing, but when she saw her father walking towards them what felt like hours later, a sob rose into her throat and she ran across the gravel to him.
He held her briefly, then set her away from him, and she was relieved to see him smiling.
‘He is a strong young man, your archaeologist. And quite dedicated to his craft, I suspect.’
‘Is he okay? Will he be okay?’ Rose stopped. ‘What do you mean?’
Christopher let out a short laugh. ‘The brandy has loosened his tongue.’
‘He only had a glass!’
‘He has consumed a few more since you saw him. Seemed to be in some confusion about where he was, thought he was on a dig somewhere.’
Rose’s mouth formed a silent O, and she was torn between amusement and her overriding concern.
He laughed. ‘It was not only Curtis who was fascinated by his ramblings, though. What is this talk of…’ He paused. ‘Imaging surveys, I think he said. And geophys?’
‘It’s ways they have of scoping out what might be lying beneath the soil before they dig.’
‘Ah, I see.’ Christopher sobered. ‘As to your question, he is as well as one could expect in the circumstances. Curtis is confident the concussion is mild and of little consequence. He has reset a dislocated shoulder, done what he can with his arm, but we must await Lyford’s arrival before the fracture is set. There is also likely to be some bruising to his ribs.’
‘But will we tell if the arm has been set properly without an X-ray?’
‘Dear Rosie.’ Her father put her arm on his and they walked back towards where Jane was waiting, watching them. ‘From what I have observed, he has had the best care that is available so far. That is all we can ask, for now. The apothecary seems well versed in the need for keeping the wound clean and has secured the arm to await Lyford’s arrival, who is as good as any bone setter I have seen.’
Rose winced, and her father patted her arm.
‘Trust me, Mr Trevellyan has been well tended. The cuts beyond the gash in his arm are all superficial.’ He looked down at Rose and smiled. ‘His fine features will bear no lasting harm from his adventure.’
‘I wouldn’t care if they had.’
Her father smiled and patted her arm. ‘Nor do I suspect would he.’
Rose couldn’t help but smile at her father’s wink. ‘I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t with me.’ It was a bittersweet thought.
‘I have not been there for you for so long, child. Though I would not wish the gentleman ill, it brings me great comfort to be able to support you now.’
The afternoon was waning as they returned to the house, and Rose hurried into the hallway only to find the door to the side room wide open and no one inside.
‘Where is he?’ She spun around to look at Jane.
‘He will have been removed to his chamber. I will enquire. Please, Rose, show your father into the drawing room, and I shall arrange for tea.’
‘But I need to see him.’
Christopher placed a hand on Rose’s arm, and Jane, who had set off down the hallway, turned back and came to stand before her.
‘Dearest Rose, for dear you are to me.’ Jane took her hands in her own. ‘Recall your situation. Though we,’ she gestured between the three of them, ‘and my siblings are fully versed whence you and Mr Trevellyan came, the servants are not.’ She sighed. ‘And servants are prone to gossip. Would you have your reputation so maligned?’
‘Miss Austen has the right of it, child.’ Christopher laid a hand on her shoulder. ‘You cannot take unnecessary risks.’
Unnecessary? Rose almost stamped her foot. Didn’t they understand just how necessary it was she see Aiden, find out how he was coping with the pain?
‘Your air and countenance betray you.’ Jane smirked. ‘Yet you must do as I say. You comprehend, do you not, that any stain upon your own reputation will harm your sisters too?’
Her sisters? Rose turned to her father. ‘I’m so sorry. Was I selfish? I hadn’t thought… because they don’t know who I am…’
‘But they will, as will all our acquaintances, before long, Rose. You must adhere to the conventions of the day.’
Rose was torn between anticipation over getting to know Mary, Olivia and Anne, and having them know of their close connection, and her agitation over Aiden, but she knew she had no choice but to accept both Jane and her father’s advice.
‘Take the time to write to your friend, Rose.’ Jane turned away again, speaking over her shoulder as she headed towards the service door to the kitchens. ‘You would do well to advise her of today’s occurrences.’
Morgan would be able to help! Of course she would. She would arrange for Aiden to get to a hospital. He wouldn’t be able to drive his own car, and Morgan wouldn’t be insured to, but she would sort it out somehow.
Rose hurried into the great hall, relieved to find Cassandra in there, writing a letter of her own.
‘Miss Wallace, Mr Wallace, do come in.’ She got to her feet to greet them both, dropping a curtsey to Mr Wallace, who bowed formally. ‘Sir, please, take a seat. Shall I call for some tea?’
‘Jane has gone to do so.’ Rose’s gaze drifted to the writing implements on the desk. ‘I must write to Morgan, Miss Austen.’
‘Yes, of course. Here.’ She pulled the chair out from the desk and waved Rose into it, pulling out fresh paper and handing her a quill. ‘I was so sorry to hear of Mr Trevellyan’s accident, but Mr Lyford is a good man and an experienced one. He has set the bones of three of my brothers in the past, and they remain hearty and whole.’
Rose smiled her thanks, turning her attention to the ink and quill and pulling forward some blotting paper, tuning out the voices of her father and Cassandra.
Morgan, Aiden has had a fall and we’ll be returning as soon as it makes sense to do so. Can you be ready with a car to take us to the hospital? Will write with an exact time. I’ll just end with… wish you were here
. Rose xx
She read it through quickly, then applied the blotter as she had been shown before folding it up and addressing it as neatly as she could, just as Jane entered the room, followed by Edward and a servant bringing the paraphernalia for tea-making.
‘Mr Lyford has just arrived, Miss Wallace. My brother is attending him, along with Curtis.’
Relieved, Rose thanked him, getting to her feet and joining Jane at the console table, where she was dispensing hot water from the urn.
‘It is done; how soon can you send it?’
‘I shall go once we have taken tea. All will be well.’ Jane handed her a cup, and Rose resigned herself to being patient, though her thoughts were upstairs with Aiden.
The conversation drifted around her, but Rose’s gaze went repeatedly to the clock in the corner, and it was a good while, and more tea, later that Charles joined them to report on Aiden.
‘Curtis is gone. Lyford says he will remain for an hour or so and will check on the patient before leaving. He is attending to his appearance and will join us directly before returning upstairs.’
Jane turned to Rose. ‘I will go to the cottage on my errand.’ She paused. ‘Or perchance you would care to accompany me?’
If she couldn’t be with Aiden, then perhaps it would be the best thing? She would talk to Jane about how soon they could get him safely home, and it would give her time to think about whether she ought to go with him. It didn’t mean she couldn’t return, once he was safely under modern-day medical care, did it? Surely she could stay just a little longer? James wouldn’t mind in the circumstances, she was certain, and she was getting used to the taste of the powder used for cleaning teeth even if she did find the bristle a little too harsh. Besides, hadn’t she always longed for a sibling?
She looked over to her father, and he smiled reassuringly at her. ‘Go, Rosie. I shall await your return before I take my leave, lest I may be of service to the gentleman in any way.’
Rose smiled her thanks and followed Jane from the room. Rather than turning for the front door, however, the lady grabbed Rose’s arm and tugged her back along the hallway in the opposite direction.
‘I cannot bear to be the cause of your unrest, dear Rose. Come with me.’
Jane hurried through the service entrance and Rose followed, her heart picking up its beat in anticipation. Her guide was looking left and right, and then opened a door built into the panelling and ushered Rose inside. A set of stone steps led upward and she followed Jane, only to be pushed unceremoniously into a deep alcove.
‘What is it?’
Jane placed a finger to her lips. The sound of humming was drawing nearer, and then a young maid passed by without noticing them.
‘Make haste.’
They hurried up the remaining steps, and Jane looked around again before pushing open the nearest door, urging Rose ahead of her. ‘I shall lock this from the outside and take the key, that you may not be disturbed by a servant. You must not linger beyond a few minutes, Rose, and leave by the main chamber door. You will be safe for the moment, as everyone is engaged downstairs.’
‘Thank you, Jane.’ Rose’s smile faltered as Jane closed the door. She heard the key turn in the lock, then looked around.
The room was of elegant proportions, with a fire burning in the grate and, despite the fading day, light pouring in from the large windows. Edging towards the bed, Rose could see Aiden lying back against the pillows. He was wearing a clean shirt now, open at the neck, his arm much more professionally bandaged and bound with two leather straps to a firm-looking piece of shaped wood.
He had lost his earlier pallor, a flush staining his cheeks, and she tiptoed closer, anxious not to disturb him but, unable to resist, she leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
‘Rose. Is that you?’ His voice was hoarser than ever, and he struggled to swallow but didn’t open his eyes. ‘I was telling them.’ He stopped, his head going from side to side. ‘“No, no, no,” I said. “You can’t do it that way. The erosion from the water… in the cath… cath… cathedral…”’ The word ended in a hiccup, and Rose tried not to smile.
Gently, she took the hand of his uninjured arm. ‘Aiden? Can you hear me? How are you feeling?’
There was no response for a moment; then, he stirred, opened one eye and then, as though with the greatest difficulty, the other. He stared at the canopy of his bed, then slowly turned his head on the pillow.
‘I can hear you but I can’t see you. Where are you?’
‘I’m here.’ Rose leaned forward so that she was closer, and his eyes gradually focused in on her and he gave a lopsided smile, then winced.
‘Ow.’ He moved instinctively to raise his other hand to his face, then groaned in pain.
‘Shhh, lie still.’ Rose held onto his hand. ‘You mustn’t disturb what the doctor has done for you.’
‘Done for me? Hmph!’ He snorted weakly. ‘I fear I am all but done for.’ Then his eyes widened and flew from left to right. ‘He’s not still here, is he? I don’t like him.’
Rose frowned. He didn’t sound drunk so much as drugged, but before she could question him further, the door opened, and she dropped Aiden’s hand as though it was a hot coal and turned around.
Chapter 21
‘I thought as much.’
Christopher Wallace walked into the room, a stern eye on his daughter. ‘Do you take no heed of my advice?’
‘I’m sorry.’ Rose bit her lip. It felt incongruous that she was twenty-seven years old and only now feeling the censure of her own father! Then, she frowned. ‘How did you know I was—?’
‘Miss Austen set off down the driveway alone. I was at the window drinking my tea.’
‘But how did you know this was Aiden’s room?’
He shook his head at her. ‘How do you think, child? I helped carry him here earlier!’
Of course he had.
Rose walked over to him. ‘I’m sorry. Really, I am. But I needed to see him with my own eyes. Only,’ she glanced over her shoulder, ‘he’s a bit… strange. Is it the brandy, do you think?’
Christopher walked round to the other side of the bed and looked down at Aiden. His eyes had closed again, but he was still muttering under his breath about erosion and removing stones.
‘’Tis merely the laudanum.’
‘Opium?’ Rose hurried back to the bedside. ‘He’s had opium and brandy?’
‘It dulls the pain but affects the senses. Come, Rose. We must let him rest.’
‘Rest?’ Aiden’s eyes flew open, staring at the canopy again. ‘Yes! That’s what I said. Let it be, don’t disturb it!’ He became quite agitated again, his head moving to and fro on the pillow. ‘Things must not be disturbed… It’s not good… not good practice, to be disturbed…’
Rose took Aiden’s good hand in hers once more. ‘Shh, Aiden. No one is going to disturb anything.’
His head turned slowly towards her. Then, he smiled faintly. ‘Me.’
‘You… what?’ Did he have any idea how adorable he was in this state? Rose chided herself for the thought, trying to remember her father was stood on the other side of the bed watching them.
‘Me. I was the one who was disturbed. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.’ He pouted like a little boy. ‘Why don’t you listen to me? You disturbed me.’
‘Oh!’ Rose’s gaze flew to her father’s, then back to Aiden. ‘I’m sorry. You were sleeping. I’ll let you rest.’
‘No! Don’t go! You don’t understand.’ He grasped her hand tightly and tried to push himself up, but Christopher put a steadying hand on his shoulder, forcing him back onto the pillows.
‘Rest easy, young man.’
Rose squeezed the hand she held. Aiden’s eyes had closed again, and she leaned forward to brush a lock of hair from his forehead.
‘Tell me about it. What was the disturbance?’
‘You – you were. I saw you… clapping… Those gorgeous auburn curls in the sunlight…’
Feeling warmth invade her cheeks under her father’s amused gaze, Rose stared at Aiden. ‘Yes, yes, I know. They had to re-do the take. I remember.’
‘Never forgot… nice, steady life. Work. Lots of work.’ Aiden frowned, swallowing with difficulty. ‘You disturbed me… my life. I never forgot you…’ His voice faded, and his eyes drifted closed again.
Rose looked up at her father. ‘We have to get him back home as soon as we can. I’m scared his wound will become infected.’
‘Of course you are right.’ He sighed. ‘And does Miss Austen require aught of preparation, for her charm to do its duty?’
Rose shook her head. ‘No, it’s instant.’
‘I see.’
Rose felt as though she were being torn in two. She could not, would not endanger Aiden in any way, but to see her father’s emotion at the prospect of her leaving was equally unbearable.
‘And then I said,’ Aiden had roused again and was beaming at her father, ‘history is the cornerstone of our soul. The past once lived and breathed with the same passion, the same soul as we! We cannot bury it to forget it forever. We are our pasts…’ Aiden squinted at them both, then nodded slowly. ‘And that’s why I was arrested the first time.’
Spent, he lay his head back against the pillows and closed his eyes, and Rose stared at him in disbelief.
Christopher’s lips twitched. ‘He’s quite the young man, your Mr Trevellyan.’
Rose couldn’t help but laugh. ‘He’s usually very taciturn. I think I counted the words between us before this last week at under fifty, despite knowing each other for three years.’
‘Well, if my opinion counts for aught, you have my approval.’
Rose blushed deep red, then reached across to take her father’s hand. ‘Of course your opinion counts. I love you.’
Christopher’s face contorted for a moment. Then he whispered, ‘And I love you, Rosie. More than you can possibly imagine.’ He sighed. ‘It seems our long overdue reunion is to be curtailed. Let me sit awhile with you, whilst opportunity favours us.’
They walked over to two armchairs drawn close to the fireplace, Rose casting a lingering look back at Aiden, but he appeared to have drifted off to sleep.
The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen Page 19
