Page 48 of The Heir and Spare
Distant voices brought a feeling of relief and dread all at once. “I think they are coming.”
“Yes.”
For a moment, neither said anything. But then Arthur pressed his mouth to the top of her head. “Will you be all right if I stand?”
“I think so.”
He used his shoulder to brace against the muddy wall and rose with her in his arms. Then he placed her back on the ground. The dog snuggled right up next to her.
Arthur called out, “We’re here! Over here. Come quick!”
The voices got closer, and soon a light bobbed above them.
“Arthur.”
“Fitz.” The relief in Arthur’s voice made Elizabeth smile. He loved his brother, and he relied on him.
A rope dropped down to them. Arthur helped her stand. “Let’s get you out of here first.”
She nodded and clung to him, the world spinning crazily about her. “I’m so dizzy.”
“We will get you taken care of.” He tied the rope about her waist. “Hang on to this.”
She gripped the rough fibers through her gloves.
“She’s ready.”
Soon she was lifted in the air, steadily, slowly and then into the arms of Fitz. “Are you well?”
“I think so?”
Other hands guided her to a cart and wrapped her in blankets. Someone handed her a warm bowl. “Drink this.”
The warm fluid went down in a beautiful thickness that sent warm tendrils throughout her body. She smiled. “Thank you.”The blanket, the warmth, the safe feeling brought such a drowsy feeling, she closed her eyes.
“Don’t let her fall asleep,” a familiar voice called out.
She whipped her eyes open.
And then a dog jumped up beside her. “Oh, hello. Didn’t I tell you Mr. Darcy would get you out?”
And then a maid climbed up beside her with a young child in her arms. “And this little fellow was down there too.”
“What!” She couldn’t believe it.
“The dog showed Mr. Darcy.”
“Is he… Will he be all right?”
“He’s breathing. He is warming up. The doctor is at the house waiting.”
She nodded. What a strange thing to happen. What a beautiful, magnificent, horrible, wonderful thing to happen to a person. She smiled to herself and drank more of the soup. She didn’t have any energy to think about what it all meant. She focused on staying awake and watching the child for any signs of life. Thanks to Arthur, everyone was going to be well. They had to be.
Chapter 25
Arthur
Arthur paced in frustration outside Elizabeth’s room.
