Page 12 of To Seduce A Rake
Chapter 7
He noted that Rebecca’s eyes were closed, and there was a bump on the side of her head. She was completely soaked from being in the elements and her skin was freezing to the touch.
“Wake up, Rebecca,” he cried out to her, but she didn’t move.
Terrified to do so, he placed his hand on her heart and then released a deep sigh of relief when he felt her heartbeat.
“My lord,” the maid called to him, her tone fearful. “You must get her back to the inn. The others are alive, just injured. Send back someone to transport them, and I’ll tend to them as best as I can until they arrive.”
Harrison was unsure but finally nodded and carefully cradled her in his arms, uncertain if moving her was the right thing to do. But her maid was right that he must get her to safety, else she might end up in a far worse state.
“I have you,” he whispered to her as he carried her towards his horse.
It took far longer than he would have liked to get atop his horse and secure her for the ride, but he finally managed it with the help of her maid.
Once he started his horse, he couldn’t move very fast, but with each minute that passed, he was closer to getting her to safety.
After what felt like hours, he reached the inn, riding into the stable and safe from the rain.
“Help me with her,” he called over to the groom.
The man jumped up and helped lift Rebecca down, who still hadn’t come to.
“Give her back to me,” Harrison said when his feet reached the ground. His tone was harsher than he intended, his voice riddled with fear. “Go for the doctor now and bring him to me. Tell him Lord Mulgrave requires his presence immediately. Do not return without him.”
He spotted another groom. “You there,” he started. “There is an overturned carriage a couple of miles down the road there. Take a few men and help transport them back here. The doctor shall be here soon.”
The men all set off to do as they were instructed and Harrison moved as quickly as he could, rushing back into the rain while he cradled Rebecca. When he reached the entrance to the inn, he swept inside.
“Send up a bath to my chamber. And have the doctor brought to me as soon as he arrives,” Harrison called out to the man. He continued up the staircase without stopping, taking her to his chamber.
He kicked the door closed behind him, then laid her down on his bed. Images of the previous evening flashed through his mind, and his heart pounded harder with worry.
“I’m going to get you out of these wet clothes,” he said to her, uncertain that she could hear him.
Before he did so, he rushed to his wardrobe and pulled out one of his shirts for her. It was the best he could do to protect her modesty once he removed her clothing.
Returning to her, he carefully removed all of her wet garments and tossed them to the side. Then slid each of her arms into his shirt and buttoned the front so she was covered. His shirt only fell almost to her knees, but it was better than nothing.
He positioned her so that her head lay on his pillow and then covered her with the blankets. Next, he restarted the fire in the chamber and added a few more logs until heat filled the room.
Harrison drew a deep breath and then returned to her side, sitting beside her on the bed. Using his hand, he brushed her wet hair back from her face. He was certain she didn’t even realize how beautiful she was. Closing his eyes and fighting to calm his breathing, he hoped he’d have the chance to tell her so.
It was all his fault. If he had just gone to her right away, she never would have left. Or at least they would have been together and he could have kept her safe.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. “Enter.”
“My lord,” a tall, slender man said, entering the room carrying a leather case. “I am Doctor Falls. Tell me what has happened.”
Harrison recounted what little he knew and pointed out the bump on Rebecca’s head.
“If you will wait outside,” the doctor said, “I shall examine her.”
“I’m staying,” Harrison commanded. No part of his tone indicated that he’d be moved on the matter.
“Are you her husband?” the doctor asked, assessing him.
Harrison released a deep sigh. “No. At least not yet.” He’d decided during the agonizing moments when he held on to her in the rain, pleading for her to survive, that he was marrying her. As long as she’d have him.
