“I had an excellent midwife when Vivi was born. Unfortunately, I did not think to have her examine me before we came to Town.”
“You really had no reason to.” Grace picked up a lemon tart. “I, on the other hand, had a strong feeling it was just a matter of time before I would have twins.”
“I had better go.” Dotty rose. “I would not be surprised if Henrietta has not already begun to move to Exeter House.”
Grace held out her hands to Dotty and she took them. “And you. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, much better.” The dratted tears pricked her eyes again. “Thank you.” At least she felt better knowing why she was so tired all the time. Yet she could still not find it in her heart to forgive Fotherby.
“I shall walk you to the hall.” Grace stood and linked arms with Dotty.
Royston sent a running footman to find her coach, and in a few minutes she was on her way home.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Henrietta wiped her bloody hands on her skirt as she followed the footmen carrying Nate through the door of Fotherby House. The pad she’d applied to Nate’s head was already soaked. As she stepped into the hall, the butler bowed. “I am Miss Stern. I’ve sent for a doctor. In the meantime I will need hot water and bandages.” The butler sent a footman running. “Is her ladyship here? Your name, please.”
“Hulatt, miss. Her ladyship is out. However, I shall apprise her of his lordship’s injury when she returns.”
“Thank you, Hulatt.” Henrietta gazed up the stairs, wondering where Nate’s chamber was.
“If you will follow me?” the Hulatt said.
“Thank you.” She was relieved he was not going to argue with her.
Hulatt left and an older woman came scurrying into Nate’s bedroom, followed by a maid carrying what she needed. Henrietta pointed to the bedside table. “Please place the bowl and bandages there.”
The maid nodded, and the older woman joined Henrietta at his bedside. “I’m Mrs. Garford, the housekeeper.”
Henrietta gave the housekeeper a quick smile. “I am sorry to meet you under these circumstances, Mrs. Garford. I am Henrietta Stern.”
The housekeeper nodded to herself, as if a question had been answered. “His lordship’s betrothed. I’m glad to meet you too, miss. George, the footman sent to get me, said your coachman had gone to fetch a doctor.”
She had not known if Nate had told her staff, but it was clear that he had. “Yes.” She glanced at him. “I must clean the wound and change the bandage.”
Mrs. Garford replaced the cravat Henrietta had placed under Nate’s head to protect the bed-linens with a larger cloth. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
“If you turn his head to the side, that would help.” As Henrietta washed her hands, the housekeeper did as she asked and, also, placed another large piece of linen around the front of his neck, tucking one side in. Henrietta dipped one of the pieces of cloth into the water, rubbed a bit of soap on it, and gently started cleaning the side of his head. Once most of the blood was gone, she could see the jagged wound. It was still bleeding, albeit more sluggishly now. She took a breath, forcing herself to remain calm. Henrietta had seen bad cuts and broken bones, but she had never before seen so much blood on someone she loved. “The doctor is someone my family uses in emergencies. He’ll know what to do.”
“Do you want to put some brandy on the injury?” Mrs. Garford asked.
“That’s a good idea.” The cudgel had been filthy. The blood had helped clean some of the debris, and Henrietta was sure she had got the rest of it. The housekeeper handed her a cloth soaked with spirits, and she pressed it carefully to the ragged cut on his head. The housekeeper handed her two clean cloths folded into pads. “Thank you. Can you hold these to the wound while I wind the bandage around his head?”
“Yes, miss.” The woman pressed down on the pads, and Henrietta quickly tied a strip of linen around his head. “That should keep him until your doctor gets here.”
She nodded. Nate still hadn’t moved, and she was becoming even more worried than she had been. His eyes had not fluttered even when she applied the brandy. “We will need more water and cloths when Dr. Daintree arrives.”
“I’ll have it fetched.” Mrs. Garford glanced at the maid. “Millie?”
“I’ll get it ready and bring it up when he gets here, ma’am.” She picked up the bowl of blood-tinged water and the cloths. “Miss, you have blood on your skirts.”
Henrietta glanced down at her dark blue gown. Aside from where she had wiped her hands, blood from Nate’s head had stained the skirts. “I suppose I do. Thank you for telling me.”
The maid smiled, and she turned back to Nate.
“I’ll send someone over to get you a fresh gown,” the housekeeper said.
“I will see to that.”
Henrietta glanced over her shoulder. A man dressed like a valet bowed. “I am Styles, his lordship’s valet. Shall I bring your dresser as well?”
At this point there would be no need to formally meet the senior staff. The only one she had not met was the cook. “Yes, please. Tell her to bring enough clothing for two days.”
“It shall be done.” He turned to go.
“Her name is Spyer,” Henrietta called after him.
She sank onto a wooden chair someone had set by the bed and watched Nate. He was so quiet. It occurred to her that she had never seen him not in motion. Whether it was riding his horse, walking his dog, or moving his hands when he spoke, he always gave the impression of energy. Blinking back unhelpful tears, Henrietta sent up a prayer that he was not injured too badly and would soon be conscious again. She told herself not to worry. His breathing was regular, and even though he was paler than normal, he was not a deathly shade of white. She did not know how long she had been staring at him, hoping for some sort of change, when she heard voices filtering from the hall and steps on the stairs.
“Miss Stern.”
Rising, she faced the gentleman entering the room. “Dr. Daintree, I am so glad you have arrived.”
“Tell me what happened.” He set his bag on the bed and opened it as she related how Nate had been injured and what she had done to treat the wound.
“He has lost a great deal of blood.” She moved the chair out of the way. “Or that is how it seems to me.”
“We can’t tell much from that. Head injuries do bleed a great deal.” The doctor removed the bandage. “You did an excellent job tending to the wound.”
“Thank you. I have some experience, and the housekeeper helped.” Henrietta frowned as the doctor pressed his fingers around the injury. “Will he require stitches?”
“No. But, I do want the swelling brought down.” He straightened. “Cold rags, or ice if it is available, will help.”
“I’ll fetch them, miss,” Millie offered.
“Thank you.” Henrietta had not even noticed that the maid had returned. For that matter, the number of people in the chamber had grown. She glanced at Dr. Daintree. “He has been unconscious since it occurred.”
“He is probably concussed. It will be a while before he wakes up, and when he does, he’s liable to have quite a headache.” He reached into his bag. “I’ll leave this willow bark powder with you. Do not give him laudanum. It can only harm his recovery. He should remain quiet, preferably in bed for the next few days, until he can stand up without pain or dizziness.” She took the package. “Apply the cold compresses once every two hours for the rest of the day. Not on the wound, but around it. If it looks worse tomorrow, send for me. You know to change the bandages.”