Page 79 of Forgotten No More

She ducked her head and remained silent.

“We have almost arrived, Mr. Jakeston,” Applewood called from ahead of them. “We are down the docks on the left.”

Harold needed no directions when they moved into the dock area, for all was quiet but a man’s moans of pain. The sound led them quickly to where William lay upon the dirty ground, writhing in agony.

Harold dismounted his horse and jumped into action, calling for an update on his brother’s injuries and a full report from the doctor and the men involved in the accident. He learned many men had scattered shortly after the rope had snapped and the crate had been moved off William. Those remaining were the crew of the Lucky Hand and its captain, who’d been sent for Harold. The dock medic, really nothing more than a hack with some military injuries training, informed him of the suspected damages to William’s leg, back, and hip. Thankfully, he hadn’t hit his head overly hard when the crate knocked him to the ground.

“Does anyone have laudanum for his pain?” Ruby called to the crowd around them. “Should I call for Marce Davenport?”

“This is far beyond her expertise, I have no doubt,” Harold said, though he admired her ability to keep her head in such circumstances.

As he called for the doctor, she knelt by William and in hushed tones, soothed him. His moaning subsided as she rubbed his shoulder to comfort him.

“Is he able to be transported?” Harold asked the doctor.

“Shhhh,” she said quietly to William. “Harold will find help quickly.”

Harold doubted he’d have been as steadfast as Ruby, with the look of William’s mangled side and leg.

“Brother,” William whispered, “I am sorry.”

The words tore at Harold. “I should have been here, helping you, instead of…” He let his words trail off as he pushed the thought of Ruby, held tight in his embrace, from his mind. His brother needed him, now more than ever. “William, let us make it through this and I swear I will be a better partner, more committed.” If his brother made it through this. He’d do anything—promise everything, to see his brother well and whole.

Harold took his coat and laid it over William. He was helpless; with nothing else he could do, at least he would keep his brother warm.

“Relax,” he said quietly. “You will be fine.”

The doctor, indistinguishable from the other dock workers, shook his head. “I won’t be responsible for carrying him about. We have a ward only a short walk from here. If he be tied to a sturdy plank, he should be fine to be moved there, but no further. Not this night, at least.”

Harold would feel much better to have William removed to Haversham House immediately, but he understood the concern. He could have internal injuries not apparent to the eye. Harold hadn’t even the chance to leave word with Brock before they’d gone.

A group of men laid a long plank next to William, and Ruby retreated to Harold’s side as they picked up the man and slid the board beneath him. At the movement, William’s blood-curdling scream made the hair on Harold’s arms stand on end.

He was relieved when the doctor stepped forward and uncorked a small glass bottle.

“Hold him still,” he called as he lifted William’s head and brought the bottle to his lips. “He should sleep soon.”

Even with the doctor’s words, Harold was not reassured of the man’s skill.

“Harold, things will be well.” Ruby now held his arm, attempting to soothe his nerves. “We can send word to Lord Haversham’s physician as soon as we return home.”

“William, stay with me,” Harold called to his brother. “Tell me about that time we stole the old Lord Haversham’s prized telescope…” He tried to get him to talk, to stay conscious through the pain. He feared if his brother sank into sleep, he wouldn’t awaken again.

He’d been the one who allowed William to help at the docks, against his better judgment. His older brother, while versed in city life, had no experience on ships or in a seaport. He was lucky the crate hadn’t taken his life immediately.

As the men carried William the short distance to the dock’s medical ward, Harold followed, the reins of all three horses in his hand and his other arm draped around Ruby’s shoulders. He was unsure if he offered her support after witnessing such a traumatic event or if she gave him the strength to hold his own emotions together.

They waited while William was transferred to a bed. From there, he was given more laudanum to ensure he slept through the remaining hours of the night, or until Harold could send Brock’s physician to better gauge his injuries.

The night had grown cold and the breeze off the water felt like ice through Harold’s jacket. As they stepped outside and prepared to mount their horses for the return ride to Haversham House, Harold took his overcoat and laid it about Ruby’s shoulders, hoping to ward off the cold air. He would not forgive himself if she caught a chill due to exposure.

They rode in silence all the way home, and separated immediately upon their return. Ruby went up the stairs to her room, while Brock bid Harold attend him in his study. Harold had no option but to let her go, their intimate moments shattered and forgotten.

Chapter 32

The morning dawned clear and warm, which should have brightened Ruby’s spirits, but after the emotional turmoil of the day before she couldn’t convincingly be her jovial self. She sat half listening to Vi drone on and on about this lady and that lord and their plans for the remainder of the season. Through the idle chatter, Ruby noticed Vi eyeing her expectantly. Her friend craved more information about her newly discovered sister—and her father, though Vi still allowed her space and privacy. They’d known each other long enough for her to know that when Ruby was ready, she would share all.

Her mind wandered to all she’d experienced only hours before. The shock of learning she had a sister, the death of her father, and in the midst of all that, recognizing her feelings for Harold for what they truly were—love. Unconditional, unbridled love.