Page 87 of Leap of Faith
Here was yet another who would be devastated by Joy’s demise, Dominic reflected. Freddy had become uncommonly attached to the girl.
“She was trying her tricks,” he answered. “She somehow managed to slip away when my groom’s back was turned.”
“I’ve never met a more determined girl,” Freddy said, and slumping into a chair, repeated, “How is she?”
“It is too soon to tell. The doctor has given her a draught to make her sleep. He says it may be several days before we know how grievous are her injuries.”
“So, she can’t even wake up?”
Dominic shook his head. “Only enough to enable us to force more medicine and water into her. He says that while her brain is swollen it would be dangerous for her to wake up and be agitated.”
“Good God.” Freddy put his head in his hands and did not look up.
Dominic understood. The palpable fear was almost overwhelming, and the helplessness, when all one could do was to sit about, unable to command her healing, was untenable.
“Little Freddy will barely leave her side. He gets angry when we force him to go out twice a day.”
Freddy chuckled, half-heartedly. “Loyal little devil.”
Desperate to lighten the uncomfortable heaviness, Dominic changed the subject.
“The horses were running well?”
“Seemed to be,” Freddy replied, wholly distracted and uninterested. “How are things in Town? I know it has only been a few days.”
“The girls are upset, of course. Mother is of a mind to keep them there and occupied. Miss Whitford sent a letter assuring them there was nothing they could do here—although I believe she might have allowed her sisters to take turns watching over Miss Joy. Thus far, she has refused anyone’s help but mine,” Dominic replied.
Freddy shook his head. “You cannot allow that. She will become fagged to death.”
“I agree, but it is not a matter of allowing,” Dominic retorted.
“You’ve met your match, have you? I thought so all along, but I suspect if you did not give her a choice in the matter, she would allow you to share nursing duties.”
“All I am allowed to do is to take watch at night so that she may sleep for a few hours, but she will only go as far as a cot in the adjoining dressing room.”
“You may have to force her to take the air and get away from the sickroom. Can’t have her falling ill, too.”
Dominic supposed it was as simple as that. Thus far, he had not wanted to test Faith. “Do you have any news of Sir Julian?” he asked. They had drifted back to Joy.
“Actually, my valet said he heard he had fled to the Continent,” Freddy replied.
“How reliable are the sources? We heard he’d left Town once before.”
“Servants are usually more knowing, though it was in the Society pages, too.”
“We all know the remarkable accuracy of those,” Dominic said acidly.
“But this time, they reported he was forced to flee because he has extended his credit so far he’s in the basket after losing the wager.”
“We can but hope it is true. He deserves everything that comes to him. Miss Whitford should be safe enough here for the nonce. Has there been any talk about her absence? Or mine?”
Freddy shook his head. “Only that you are tending to her sister. May I see Joy? I promise to be quiet. I just need to see…” His normally placid friend spoke rapidly, clearly tormented.
Dominic understood. Sometimes things did not feel real when they were only told to you.
“I think that can be arranged,” he said, motioning for his friend to join him.
Dominic stopped at the door and turned about. “I say, did you really leave with Windrunner running at Newmarket?”
