Page 8 of The Wise Daughter
“You are by the bridge at the southeast edge of Ravenglass, just a few paces from where I found you. I pulled you here so the river wouldn’t wash you away, which it was shockingly close to doing. As far as I can tell, there is no immediate danger, other than our being extremely wet in this chilly air.”
“You found me?” His eyes locked onto hers, stirring her insides like a fire iron. “Youpulled me here?” He looked her over as if taking her measure.
“Yes.” Nora scooted back a ways and held her knees to her chest, deciding what she thought of him now that he was awake.
“Thank you.” He breathed heavily as he clutched his stomach and sat straighter, leaning against the stone wall. “I’ll have you know I am much lighter than a horse.” He met her gaze with the smallest tilt of mouth.
“You heard me?” What else had he heard? “If you were conscious, why did you make my task so difficult?”
“I thought I was dreaming. I couldn’t pull my mind out of the fog until you splashed my face with water.” He let out a small, wheezing cough, then groaned again. “Do you often promenade through villages rescuing nearly drowned men?”
It was difficult to tell with his raspy voice, but she thought he was teasing her.
“Oh, yes. I save every drowning man I come across, and you, my good sir, have the honor of being the first.”
He tried to laugh, but the movement tightened to a wince.
She wanted to help further if she could but didn’t know what to do next. If she simply took her leave of him, was he capable of bringing himself to safety? Had he any broken bones? She had no money to spare on him, but perhaps all he needed from her was a little humor, something to lighten his heart. Truthfully, being able to jest lightened hers too.
“I’m honored, indeed.” He smiled at her, then looked over himself. “Do you know what happened to my cloak?”
“I’m afraid I had to take it off you. It appeared to be choking you, and I couldn’t get a decent grip under your arms with that slippery thing in the way.”
“Yes, but where is it now?”
“I left it by the water. I’m sorry, but I think the current washed it away.” She bit her lip, unsure how embarrassed she should be.
“Ah well.” He shrugged. “I suppose you had other matters pressing you, like how to save my life. At least, it wasn’t a favorite.”
“That’s a relief. It gave you a much too rapscallion appearance anyway.” She pinched her lips together, hiding her smile. Where had this brazenness come from? All she knew was that after the exhausting journey from West Riding, the tension inside her was finally loosening.
“Rapscallion?” he repeated. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely. I’m glad to finally be able to say it. How awkward it was keeping that in while I pulled you up here. In any event we’re even. Saving you has cost me my dress and riding habit, which were favorites.”
“That’s a pity but not quite the same. The river hasn’t carried off your things. And I'm guessing a fine lady like you has several other favorite gowns to choose from.”
The jesting inside her withered. “No, actually. I don’t.”
She didn’t need to see his face to feel his gaze on her. Hugging her knees tighter, she waited for the question that would follow, asking her to explain what she meant.
Instead, he asked, “What is your name?”
She almost didn’t tell him, but there was something about his face and smile and easy way of talking in the midst of this strange trouble that made her less afraid of him.
“Honora Lacy. My father is only just up the road at the inn,” she added in an effort to still be cautious. “He’ll be looking for me any minute, I’m sure.” She waited for his reaction in case he was contemplating anything unvirtuous, but this statement did not seem to bother him at all.
“Do you have anything to drink, Miss Lacy?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t. There’s a tavern at the inn, but…”
“No, that won’t do.”
He pushed to his knees and stood, but after one step and a deep grimace, he reached for the bridge’s stone wall and fell back to the ground on his knees. Something must have been wrong with his leg or foot. The same urgent tug on her sympathies that struck her when she first saw him washed over her again.
“Sir, you need help! I can return to the tavern and send for a doctor, though you’ll have to instruct me if there is someone specific you want. I’m not from these parts.”
“I see.” He nodded as if considering this. “Never mind a doctor. I’d like to know where you are staying so I may call on you when this is all over.”
