Page 89 of An Uncommon Earl

“I jarred my legs upon landing,” Jane said. “But I would not have you worry unduly. The pain is already much improved.” She looked up at Alexander’s anxious expression. “Who is Dr. Thorndike?”

“He is the best surgeon in England.” Alexander started for the house with her father right behind him. “He has a particular interest in Asher. I believe that when he hears he is hurt, he will come.”

“Have you sent for him?” her father asked.

The rhythmic sound of hooves crossing the courtyard and heading down the drive at great speed accompanied his question.

“I have,” Alexander said. He was already making for the front doors.

The housekeeper was waiting for him in the hall. “I have a room prepared, my lord,” she said.

“Thank you, Mrs. Hunt,” Alexander said. “If you would be so good as to lead the way, we shall follow you.”

“Lord Bloxley.”

Alexander paused at the bottom of the stairs and turned to face Jane’s father. “My wife and other family members at Charwell Park will be anxious for news. Is there someone we could send?”

“Forgive me. Of course,” Alexander said. “Fink, send someone to Charwell Park immediately. Inform them that Miss Hadford and Asher are found and are being cared for at Bloxley Hall. And that Mr. Hadford is with them.”

“Right away, my lord.” Fink moved quickly from his post at the door.

“Many thanks, my lord,” her father said.

“Nonsense,” Alexander said. “I should have thought of it sooner. You have my apologies, Hadford.”

Alexander started up the stairs, the tension in his arms like iron bands. Jane reached up and softly touched his jaw. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For all that you have done.”

His pace slowed a fraction, his grim expression softening as he met her eyes. “Tell me truthfully, are you in a great deal of pain, Jane?”

“It is not so bad. Truly.”

He held her closer. “Your bravery never ceases to amaze me.”

Jane leaned her head against his chest, marveling that such tenderness and strength could coexist in one man—and that he would care so much for her.

“This way, my lord.” Mrs. Hunt was standing at an open door halfway down the passageway.

Alexander carried Jane in and gently set her on top of a magnificent four-poster bed that was covered in a yellow bedspread. Her father followed them in and laid Asher on the bed beside her. Jane reached over and unwrapped Alexander’s cloak from around the little boy, the candles in the room allowing her to see him clearly for the first time.

A one-inch cut ran across his forehead above his right eye. The skin beneath it was raised into a large bump and was deep purple in color. Dried blood caked his face and a good portion of his shirt. Dirt and leaves clung to his hair and clothing. His breeches were ripped, and mud coated his knees and shoes.

“Asher.” Jane ran her hand across his cheek, noting that it, too, was covered in dried blood and dirt.

The child moaned and turned his head toward her, his eyes still closed. Jane swallowed the lump in her throat and looked up at Alexander, who was standing beside her. “What can be done for him?”

“Mrs. Hunt, have you sent for the local physician?”

The housekeeper gave him an apologetic look. “Dr. Hemmings is off visiting his daughter in Reading, my lord. His housekeeper said she’s not expecting him back until the end of the week.”

“Then it is a very good thing you are here,” Alexander said. He turned back to Jane. “Be assured that Mrs. Hunt has had ample experience in helping injured boys. She nursed me through all sorts of scrapes in my youth—including knots on the head. Until Dr. Thorndike arrives from London, she is a marvelous resource. If you are willing, I would suggest that we put Asher’s care into her hands.”

“He will look much better once we have him cleaned up a bit, miss,” Mrs. Hunt said. “And I can make up a salve for his wound that will help with the swelling.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Hunt,” Jane said. “That sounds like a good place to start.”

With a pleased nod, the housekeeper instructed the two young maids standing beside an empty bathtub to go and fetch hot water.

“What of you, Jane?” Ever since he’d placed Asher beside her, her father’s eyes had been on her. “Although Asher’s need may seem greater to you, you must not neglect yourself in all of this excitement.”