A Debt From the Past (23 page)

‘Oh, well done,’ she praised. ‘I’ll take one now and come back if more are needed.’

The doctor made her put it on a small table beside James. As she did so, she heard Helen say gently, ‘You may swear if you wish; I shall excuse you on this occasion.’

His fingers closed around Helen’s. Then, with a grim expression, he said, ‘Let’s have done with this, doctor.’

Half an hour later Helen sank to her knees beside the chair and let out a ragged sigh. The bullet had been removed, and James had mercifully passed out. That had given the doctor the chance to stitch the wound and bind it without causing James any more pain.

The doctor checked his patient. ‘There shouldn’t be any permanent damage, but we must watch him carefully and hope he does not take a fever. You may allow the others to come back now; the men can help his lordship into bed.’

‘I’m not going to bed! We still have work to do this night.’

‘Ah, you are awake. I expected you to be unconscious for a while yet.’ Helen wiped his face with a clean, cool cloth. ‘You are a brave man; you did not curse at me once.’

He gave a weak smile. ‘How did you know what to do to stop the bleeding?’

‘I have been tending the estate workers and their families for some years, and I have received instruction from a physician.’

‘I am grateful.’ James tried to move and groaned.

‘Stop that, young man,’ the doctor admonished. ‘You have lost a lot of blood and are going to need to rest.’

James leant his head back and closed his eyes. ‘I thank you for what you have done for me, doctor, and you also, my dear Helen.’

Taken aback that he should call her that, Helen felt his brow in alarm, but he was quite cool.

It was difficult making James go to his bed, but the doctor was firm, and, with Stanley’s help, they practically carried him up the stairs, as he continued to curse under his breath.

‘He always has been fiercely independent,’ Alice said. ‘Even as a young child, he insisted on doing everything himself, and if he didn’t know how to accomplish the task, he persisted until he got it right. He will hate being incapacitated and having to rely on others. Especially tonight. He will want to be out there with them.’

‘He is too badly hurt to be able to do anything for a while, so he will just have to rely on us for a while.’ Helen looked down at her stained gown and grimaced at Beth. ‘We’re both in a mess and ought to change our gowns.’

Before they had a chance to go to their rooms, the front door burst open and Henry Greenway rushed in. ‘They’ve got one man cornered in the main barn. Alex and Daniel are dealing with him. The other one is heading for the stables, we believe.’

‘Let’s go and get him!’ The grandfather actually ran, his age and infirmities forgotten for the moment.

‘Father, come back!’ Alice called desperately, but to no avail. Both men rushed for the back entrance of the house and disappeared.

The footman appeared at the top of the stairs and looked over the banister. ‘What’s going on, Miss Langton?’

‘They think one of the men is heading for the stables. Mr Greenway and Lord Sharland’s grandfather have gone after him. Would you go and help them, please?’

Without a word, Stanley came down, several steps at a time, and ran with great speed to catch up with the others.

Taking a deep breath, Alice took a moment to compose herself and control her fears for her family. ‘I had better check that James is comfortable and ask the physician if he could stay a while longer. We might have need of him again before this night is over. If Edward was here now, I would give him the sharp end of my tongue for placing my family in such danger. I have told them time and time again to leave this in the past, but they would not listen to me.’

Still talking angrily to herself, Alice went up the stairs while the girls watched, not able to comfort Alice in this situation. One of her family had been shot, and the other two were in great danger. What could they do or say?

‘What is happening is terrible for all of us, but for Alice it must be terrifying,’ Helen said, shaking her head in dismay. She studied her ruined gown again. ‘I was going to change into a clean gown, but I think I will wait and see what happens. Let us pray there are no more serious injuries, but this is a dangerous situation, Beth. Our men are determined to catch these villains.’

‘And with no thought for their own safety.’ Beth studied her friend thoughtfully. ‘You have just referred to everyone involved as “our men”.’

‘Did I? Well, I suppose that is how I consider them now. They have become a part of our lives.’

‘Yes, they have,’ Beth admitted. ‘When James began to fill the house, I was determined not to trust or like them, but slowly my feelings towards them have changed. Not only do I trust them – especially Dan – but I have grown to like them. And Alice is a dear.’

Helen gave a weary smile. ‘How things have changed.’

‘And they will change again, Helen. The time will soon come when they will all leave here, and it is unlikely we shall see any of them again.’

‘That will be a sad time.’

‘Yes, it will.’ Beth forced the disquieting prospect from her head. ‘We can’t stand around doing nothing, so let’s go to the kitchen and see refreshments are prepared for the men. They are going to need something later.’

Cook was already at work preparing enough food for a feast. The large stew pan was already bubbling away, giving off an appetizing aroma. Several large savoury and fruit pies were cooling on racks, and the scrubbed wooden table used by the staff had been set ready for use.

‘We’ll eat in here,’ Cook announced. ‘The men can come in when they’ve done with what they have to do this night. They won’t mind eating in here for once.’

‘That’s very sensible, Mrs Howard,’ Beth said. ‘Is there anything we can do?’

‘Well, if you wouldn’t mind taking a tray up to his lordship. Poor man, he must have plenty of nourishment.’

Beth nodded agreement and couldn’t help wondering just when everyone’s opinion of James had changed. In the beginning they had all viewed him with fear and distrust, but now he was liked and respected. Somehow he had gradually crept into their hearts and minds.

Cook insisted that the physician be fed as well, so Beth and Helen took a tray each. They had just reached the bedroom door when they heard soft footfalls behind them and turned in alarm, thinking one of the villains might have entered the house.

‘Oh, Tom!’ Beth gasped. ‘You gave us a fright.’

‘Sorry, Miss Langton.’ His face was aglow with excitement. ‘I got a message for his lordship.’

‘I’m not sure he should be disturbed,’ Helen told the boy. ‘He has been hurt rather badly.’

‘I know, but Mr Edgemont said I was to tell him they’d caught both the men. He might rest easy if he knows that, he said.’

‘Ah, that’s different – and good news indeed. Open the door for us, Tom, and you had better come in with us.’

‘Yes, Miss Langton.’ He slid in front of them and pushed the door open after knocking softly first.

The doctor and James were playing chess when they walked in. Beth shook her head. ‘I thought your patient was supposed to be resting?’

The doctor shrugged. ‘This was the only way I could keep him in bed. Good, you’ve brought us some food; we are very hungry.’

Tom edged forward, bobbing his head to the men. ‘I got a message for you, sir. Mr Edgemont said to tell you they’ve caught both the men.’

‘Thank the heavens for that!’ James sighed with relief and rested his head back on the pillows piled up behind him. ‘Has anyone else been hurt, Tom?’

‘A few bumps and bruises, sir, but nothing serious, Mr Greenway said.’ Tom was so excited he couldn’t stand still. ‘Mr Greenway said it was quite a scrap. Wish I’d seen it, but Cook wouldn’t let me go out there.’

‘And quite right, young man,’ James told him sternly. ‘Those men are dangerous, and they had guns.’

‘Yes, sir. Er ... we’re all sorry you was hurt, and hope you get better quick.’

‘Thank you, Tom. If you hear any more news, I want you to come straight up here and tell me. Will you do that?’

‘Yes, sir!’ The boy beamed with pleasure. ‘I can do that, sir.’

‘Good lad. Now you go and get something to eat. It smells wonderful.’

Thrilled to be included in these exciting events, Tom bobbed his head again and hurried out.

‘Now eat.’ Helen put her tray in front of James.

Beth put her tray on a small table which she pulled over to the doctor. ‘It looks as if we won’t be requiring your services again tonight, Doctor Gregson, thank heavens, but eat before you leave.’ She then walked over to have a look at James, noting how pale he was. ‘And you really must rest after you’ve finished your meal, James.’

He didn’t have time to reply because the door swung open and Alice came in, followed by her father and Alex. ‘My apologies for disturbing your patient, doctor, but these two insisted on seeing James. Just look at them!’

The girls gasped at the sight. They were filthy dirty; Alex had a cut lip and his grandfather had the beginnings of a black eye.

Doctor Gregson was immediately on his feet. ‘Let me have a look at you.’

‘We’re all right,’ the elderly man declared, grinning. ‘You finish your meal. I haven’t had so much fun for a long time. They put up quite a fight, James, but we were too much for them.’

‘So I can see,’ James said, his mouth twitching at the corners. ‘Where are they now?’

‘In the barn, tied up nice and tight. Dan is with them.’

‘Have you sent for the constabulary?’ Beth asked.

‘Not yet.’ Alex walked over to the bed, examined James’s tray and pinched a piece of pie. ‘Dan wants to talk to them first.’

The grandfather sniggered, helping himself to something from the doctor’s tray.

‘Leave that food alone! There’s plenty in the kitchen for you.’ Beth was watching the men with a frown on her face. They were all smiling at each other in a strange way, making her suspicious. ‘What do you mean
Dan wants to talk to them first
?’

‘He’s just going to ask them who hired them.’ The grandfather took something from his grandson’s tray this time. ‘Won’t take him long. Our Dan’s a very persuasive man.’

They were all laughing now. The doctor picked up his bag. ‘I think it’s time I left, Miss Langton. I’ll come by in the morning to check on my patient.’

‘Thank you for staying. I’ll see you out.’

Beth opened the door and turned her head to look at the others in the room. It was quite crowded, and they didn’t look as if they were going anywhere. ‘I assume you are all remaining here?’

‘We’ll entertain James for a while,’ Alex told her.

‘He’s supposed to be resting,’ Helen sighed. ‘But I’ll have food sent up to you.’

‘That would be welcome.’ Alex gave them one of his engaging smiles and winced when his cut lip hurt. ‘We are very hungry.’

‘So I have noticed,’ Beth said dryly. ‘James has hardly had anything to eat. You have eaten most of it, and I don’t believe you left much for Doctor Gregson, either.’

‘Would you like to eat downstairs before you leave?’ Helen asked the doctor. ‘Cook has prepared plenty for everyone.’

‘No, thank you, Miss Langton. I’ll be on my way now my services are no longer needed. Try not to let Lord Sharland’s family tire him too much.’

‘We’ll try, Doctor Gregson, but I doubt they will listen to us.’

‘Do what you can,’ the doctor said as they made their way downstairs. ‘The bullet wounds and loss of blood would have left most men unconscious for hours, but he’s a strong, determined man.’

‘Don’t you mean stubborn?’ Beth asked.

‘That too.’ The doctor laughed quietly. ‘Ah, splendid – my horse is ready and waiting for me. Thank you, young man.’

‘We couldn’t put him in the stables because of what’s going on, sir,’ Tom explained. ‘But I rubbed him down, and fed and watered him, so he’s been quite happy – and safe.’

‘You’ve done well.’ The doctor slipped a couple of coins to Tom, and then mounted and rode away.

Beth caught hold of the boy before he scampered away. ‘Have you heard what is going on in the barn, Tom?’

He shook his head. ‘We’ve all been told not to go there. Mr Edgemont’s with the men they caught. And they ain’t sent for the law yet.’

Beth and Helen gave each other worried looks but said nothing. Tom tugged at Beth’s sleeve, his fingers to his lips.

‘He’s a spy and trained in things like this – so Charlie says,’ the boy whispered. ‘Because he’s quiet-spoken and a real gent, people think he’s harmless – but he ain’t. Wouldn’t do to make an enemy of him, as I expect these men are finding out. Do you need me any more, Miss Langton?’

‘No, thank you, Tom; you can go now.’

‘Oh, dear,’ Beth said, shaking her head as the boy tore off, eager not to miss anything. ‘I do hope this is all the imaginings of young boys.’

‘I’m sure it is,’ Helen assured her. ‘They’ve been building up stories ever since they arrived. A mystery excites them.’

‘Of course you’re right.’ Beth linked her arm through Helen’s. ‘We had better see about the food. Then we really must change our gowns and have something to eat. I do declare I am feeling quite famished after all the excitement.’

An hour later, clean and with a substantial meal inside them, the girls were feeling drowsy in the warmth of the kitchen when Dan strolled in. They leapt to their feet, anxious for news.

‘Is everything all right? Did they tell you anything? Have you sent for the police?’

A slow smile spread across Dan’s face. ‘The answer to all your questions is yes, Elizabeth. They are being taken off to gaol at this very moment.’

‘Thank goodness for that!’ Beth studied him, trying to find any signs of injury, but nothing was visible. He looked tired and strained around the eyes but was otherwise his usual self.

‘You must be hungry.’

‘I am.’ Dan smiled at Cook. ‘Would you mind if I took my food upstairs? I have to talk to the others.’

‘That will be quite all right, sir.’ Mrs Howard smiled back. ‘They are all up there, so I’ll send up trays with enough food for all of you. I expect they are still hungry.’