Page 34 of Regency in Color

“I do. He spoke to me yesterday about it. Neither he nor I considered it would happen so soon. It is nothing to worry about as far as anyone else’s safety. The attackers had only Thomas in mind.”

As she expected as soon as Vivian was dressed, she hurried to help with Thomas. They took turns keeping cool cloths on his forehead because a fever took over and he vacillated between being drenched in sweat and shivering from being cold.

“I have never seen someone injured so horribly,” Vivian said to Mary when they’d been left alone with Thomas. Moira and Lottie had gone off to cook a meal for the family.

None of them had much of an appetite, especially with the constant smell of blood that filled the room.

It was several hours later, that not only the doctor and the constable arrived, but also Father Matthews.

The priest hurried into the room with the doctor. “I should administer last rights,” he said with a sad expression. “I will come and fetch you when I am done,” he continued, sending Mary and Vivian out.

They went to the foyer just as Mr. Yarnsby and Harold went into the study with the constable. Vivian looked to Mary. “Do you know anything?”

“Only that your husband was aware that someone was looking for Thomas and that we should not worry about our safety.”

Both looked to the closed door. Vivian blew out an exasperated breath. “We should ask Moira what she knows. Harold did speak to those awful men.”

As soon as they entered, Moira shuffled over with bowls of steaming food, motioning for them to sit. “This is horrible,” she said and wiped away a tear with the hem of her apron. “Just horrible. That poor boy.”

“Who are the men who harmed Thomas?” Vivian asked.

Moira looked to the doorway, as if expecting to be overheard. “They are from the town where Thomas grew up. He told Harold that a woman he’d been involved with died, and he is blamed for her death. Apparently, she drowned herself.”

“Scorned,” Vivian said. “Goodness. I cannot imagine anyone wishing to die over a broken heart. But I suppose it happens.”

Mary frowned. “These men, who blame Thomas and came to seek revenge. Am I right to assume they are the woman’s relatives?”

“Yes,” Moira said. “Brothers. This is why Thomas has been meeting with Father Matthews and considering the priesthood. To atone for what he considers a horrible sin.”

“That is absolutely ridiculous, and I will inform him so once he recovers,” Vivian said. “One cannot just choose to become a priest. The priesthood is a calling.”

“I agree,” Moira said. “But the boy feels horrible about it.”

“And he should,” Mary interjected. “Men come and go as they please, ruining women without a second thought. Episodes like this happen because of it. I do not agree with what the woman or her brothers did, but I think it should serve as a warning for roguish men.”

At both the women being struck silent, she released a breath. “That said. I feel badly for Thomas and plan to care for him until he recovers.”

“Thank you, Mary,” Vivian said. “I am sure your presence will give him incentive to heal faster.” At Vivian’s smirk, Mary gave her a droll look. “The man is barely conscious, and you think he would give care to who is in the room?”

“I do.”

The sounds of voices were followed by Vivian’s sister Clara rushing into the room. “William is with Alex and the constable,” she informed them referring to her husband. “I had to come and ensure you are well and to help.”

The Humphries were like family to Mary. She’d been with them since very young, hired as a companion for the quietest of the three sisters when she was fifteen and Vivian just ten. Now almost eleven years later, she could not fathom life without them.

Clara hugged her sister and then rushed to Mary and did the same. “How is he?”

“Very badly hurt. In and out of consciousness,” Vivian said. “He is unrecognizable.”

“Oh dear.”

Mary and the sisters went to the sitting room to wait for the doctor to emerge.

Father Matthews finally appeared and told them the doctor would only allow Lottie in the room since Thomas was bereft of clothing.

Lottie traveled back and forth between Thomas’s room and the kitchen doing the doctor’s bidding, her expression glum. Meanwhile, Moira boiled water and emptied the basins as needed.

While Vivian told Clara what she knew, Mary fetched tea for them and poured. Time passed slowly, with Lottie giving them updates of what she understood went on in the room.