Page 13 of Lord Trafford's Folly
“I am afraid I have involved you in a murder plot, Miss Gideon. We ought … I need to …” Julius clenched his hands while he tried to think what to do about the young woman. Was she in danger now that she had interceded? From the perspective of his attacker, Miss Gideon might be involved in the attempted blackmail.
He unbuttoned his damp overcoat, thinking to toss it aside and looking about for a place to set it. Across from him, Miss Gideon’s gaze dropped. Her brow furrowed gently, and she bit her plump lower lip, scattering his thoughts into carnal disarray.
“I should … take care of that.”
She pointed a trembling finger toward his jacquard waistcoat. Julius looked down to find his clothing had been slashed through, a wound welling blood into his ruined garments. His nostrils filled with the metallic stench, and beforeanother thought could enter his head, Julius dropped to the floor with a painful thud as the vestibule faded to black.
CHAPTER 4
“The man who has sufficient power over himself to wait until his nature has recovered its even balance is the truly wise man, but such beings are seldom met with.”
Giacomo Casanova
Audrey wanted to kick herself. She should have verified if Lord Trafford was injured the moment they had entered the sanctuary of the townhouse, but she had been distracted. As a result, he had lost more blood than if she had sprung into immediate action.
“The needs of the patient outweigh any other considerations.”
Audrey held a lace handkerchief she had found in Lord Trafford’s pocket to the bleeding gash, while reaching over the trunk. After lifting Flapper’s birdcage to set it on the floor along with her cape, she fumbled with her free hand to unlock thetrunk and throw the lid open. Feeling around, she lifted her valise from its gaping interior, set it beside her, then fumbled it open with trembling fingers. She struggled to lift him so she might wind a bandage around him to hold the handkerchief in place. Then, she could get him moved.
To be fair, we had to attain security before I could begin treatment.
Lord Trafford’s eyes fluttered open to her great relief, his face abnormally pale in the dim interior. “Am I to die?”
Audrey scoffed, despite her misgivings. “Of course not! The cut is not that deep, but we need to get it treated and stop the bleeding. Can you stand so we can move you, or shall I summon a footman?”
What she had stated was true, but there were other complications to be addressed.
“I can rise.”
Lord Trafford clutched his side and stood, but Audrey noted he was unsteady on his feet. The injury needed to be stitched and bound urgently to stem the bleeding.
Swaying, Lord Trafford made a declaration she was not expecting. “I need … to leave.”
“Leave!” Audrey’s exclamation was a shriek that made both of them jump.
“Before … they … return.” Trafford pointed across the street. “I shall go to Aunty Gertrude’s. Rose and Patrick will be in residence to care for me.”
Audrey shook her head. “You need medical attention. You are still bleeding.”
“Rose will have to take care of it. I cannot remain here. It is too dangerous for the household. For me … and for you.” Lord Trafford bit his lip, clutching his side and struggling to remain on his feet.
If the assailant returns, I will be in danger, regardless. The scoundrel might believe I can identify him.
It was not the time to argue. But Lord Trafford was injured, and moving him seemed ill-advised.
“This is the home of an important earl. No one would attempt to attack you within its walls, so we will remain here.”
“No!”
Audrey flinched.
Lord Trafford’s face contorted into immediate contrition. Dropping his voice, he continued. “These people killed a baron. And they attempted to abduct a baroness. It is not safe for me to be here.”
Under normal circumstances, Audrey’s head would be clear and she would know with precision what she needed to do to assist her patient. However, these were not normal circumstances. Her hands were still shaking from the earlier violence she had witnessed, and the unexpectedness of it all scrambled her thoughts. The attacker had intended to kill the lord who was currently blinking in a disoriented daze. It had been brazen and vicious.
“I shall accompany you. I must ensure that your injury is treated correctly.”
It would be fine, she assured herself. She would assist him to Lady Hays’s home, bind his wound, and instruct Rose how to care for the patient.
