Page 107 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
Chapter Thirty-Seven
It was almost two hours before Jenny could see him. During that time, Luke had popped into the room and greeted them, although quickly and worriedly. He disappeared again soon after, saying he had to deal with the culprit.
Jenny shuddered as she climbed the stairs, wanting to see Sebastian but dreading what she would find. The physician waited outside the room for her.
“Is he—?”
“The injury is not as bad as it could have been, given the close proximity of the pistol,” the physician said, his voice soft and secretive. “However, he is somewhat more injured than he is claiming. I think a lot of his bravado came from the shock of it, but now that has worn off, he has agreed to stay here, in bed, where we can keep an eye on him.”
“More injured?” Jenny squeaked, her hand to her mouth. “He’ll be all right, though?”
“Oh, yes,” the physician said emphatically. “The bullet wound was not that deep, and the bullet easy enough to retrieve. He will be in pain for a while, of course, and he has a fever at the moment. We must keep an eye on him, but I suspect that will pass in a day or two. I have given him something for the pain. It may make him a little drowsy, so keep your visit short. He needs to sleep so that his body can repair itself.”
“I understand,” she nodded.
He nodded, then pattered down the stairs.
“Sebastian?” Jenny asked as she entered the gloomy, stuffy room. It was a small room, with a single bed and a small cabinet, but nothing more.
“I’m here,” he said, his voice raspy with pain.
She closed the door and went to him. His flesh was clammy and his eyelids drooped, but his cheeks at least had a bit of color to them now.
“I’m so glad you’re all right.”
“I told you,” he said, allowing his eyes to close. “It’s barely a scratch.”
“Funny, that’s exactly what the physician said,” Jenny said with a smirk. He tried to laugh but all it did was make him cough, then wince, and close his eyes against the pain. Jenny settled into a concerned silence while he righted himself.
“’Tis a painful scratch, though,” he admitted with a weak smile.
“You saved my life.”
Her heart raced as she said those words. She didn’t smile, she didn’t cry, but she poured love and gratitude out of every fiber of her being.
“Did I?” he asked. “That was not my intention.”
She laughed again, but he looked serious.
“I jest,” he said slowly, his weakness emanating from his words. “But the truth is, I didn’t even think about it. It was the most natural thing in the world.”
“You are the most special thing in my world,” she said, taking hold of his hand and stroking the back of it. “And I will never forget what you did for me today. I don’t know how I can repay you.”
“There is no debt to be paid,” he said, closing his eyes again. His words became softer, slower, but he continued to say them. “You have saved me several times over, and you will continue to do so once we… we are… marr—”
He fell asleep before he could get the last word out, but still it made Jenny grin with delight.
She leaned forward and kissed him gently on the forehead, then she turned and left the room.
* * *
“Yes, he’s tied up in the kitchen. I have sent for the Constable, but as the hour is late, I suspect he may take his time.”
Jenny paused outside the door to the parlor, curious at this new voice and at his words.
“Well done, Mr. Clarke, you have outdone yourself.”
Jenny let herself in the room to find quite a gathering. There was Luke, Alison, and Teresa of course, but Lady Diana had arrived and so had Thomas. And then there was the gentleman who had grappled the shooter to the ground.
