A tear slipped down her cheek. And then another.
All of a sudden, the bedcovers shifted slightly and then she felt Dominic’s hand move. It came to rest lightly upon her head. Even though her pulse leapt, she froze, not even daring to take a breath as his fingers stroked over her hair in a ghost of a caress. “Artemis…” Her whispered name, a mere thread of broken sound on his lips, was the sweetest, most beautiful thing she’d ever heard.
And then his hand slid back onto the bed. Ever so slowly, Artemis raised her head. Dominic’s eyes were closed, and his breathing was shallow. Sweat sheened his upper lip. “Dominic?” she murmured and squeezed his all but lifeless hand. “Can you hear me?”
But he didn’t respond, and when Artemis touched his cheek, she noticed he was warm. Perhaps too warm. He was covered with several blankets as well as the heavy counterpane and the fire was burning brightly.
Surely Dominic didn’t have a fever. Not yet. However his hand, which had been cool only moments ago, now felt hot and clammy too…
Panic seared through Artemis’s chest, stealing her breath. Despite Dr. Hamilton’s best efforts, what if infectionhadset in?
She rose from the chair and, with the utmost care, loosened the bandage covering Dominic’s left shoulder. The wound, although small, looked angry and red beneath the neat stitches. The doctor had only finished attending to it a short time ago, but he’d also suggested applying more chloride of lime if there were any concerns.
And if the solution stung, maybe Dominic would stir again.
With trembling fingers, Artemis soaked a fresh pad of gauze in the astringent-smelling liquid. Returning to the bedside, she carefully removed the old gauze from underneath the loosened bandage and slid the new one into place. Dominic immediately flinched and then his eyelids fluttered open a split-second before he grasped her wrist, his grip surprisingly strong. “Bloody, blistering ballocks, Artemis,” he muttered from between clenched teeth. “What the devil are you doing to me?”
Relief whooshed through her in such a great wave that Artemis felt giddy. “Being cruel to be kind,” she said, pressing the pad firmly but gently against the wound. This earned her a hiss and a deep groan. “Now lie still and be a good patient.”
“What…what happened?” Dominic was peering at her from beneath heavily hooded lids. But his gaze was lucid. “Sweet Jesus, my head hurts.” He raised his right hand to the bandage covering his gashed forehead. “And my shoulder. It feels like someone’s taken a mace and a flaming broadsword to me.”
“You don’t remember?” she asked, trying to keep her tone light even as a frisson of worry slid through her.
A deep furrow formed between his brows. “No…I–I remember you. Here. You told me about your sister and then we said good night…” His mouth twitched with a smile. “You didn’t run me through with a poker, then hit me over the head with it because I said something inappropriate, did you?”
She couldn’t help but smile in return as she tightened the bandage and secured the ends. “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve done that. But no, it wasn’t me who hurt you.” Her eyes met his. “Someone shot you, Dominic. You were found in the vicinity of Duke Street.”
Confusion clouded Dominic’s gaze. “Shot? In Duke Street?”
“Yes. You don’t recall what happened?”
“No. No, I don’t,” he said faintly. “Not a thing. Other than I was furious with Gascoyne for what he’d done to your sister. I might have gone to look for him…but I’m not sure. I don’t remember anything after you left. My mind is drawing a complete blank.” He turned his head slightly and winced. “Is there something to drink? I’m parched.”
“Of course. How thoughtless of me not to offer you something straightaway.” Artemis filled a tumbler with water from the pitcher on the washstand.
She’d just eased Dominic back down onto the pillows after he’d had a few sips when there was a light knock at the door and Horatia and Edward entered.
“Dominic! You’re awake!” Horatia cried, rushing over to the bed. “Oh, thank God.”
“Nice to see you back with us, old chap,” remarked the earl. “I’m off to Ashburn in a tick to bring Celeste back. If that’s all right with you. Horatia and I thought it might be a good idea under the circumstances.”
“Yes. Of c-course.” Dominic had sunk back against the pillows. The grooves bracketing his mouth were deep and his teeth had begun to chatter. It was clear the infection was taking hold.
After making sure Dominic was as comfortable as possible, Artemis drew Horatia and her husband aside. “Even though Dr. Hamilton has just left, perhaps we should summon him again,” she said and shared her concerns. “Dominic might need some laudanum to help him with the pain too. I also learned he doesn’t recall anything about the attack. Nor why he was in Duke Street.”
“Hmmm,” said Lord Northam. “The blow to his head must have caused a degree of memory loss. I think you’re right about sending for Hamilton. We should hire a nurse too. The more hands on deck, the better.”
“I agree,” said Horatia. “I will arrange everything. You’d best set off for the station, Edward. Otherwise you’ll miss your train.”
“I c-c-c-can hear you all whispering about m-m-me.” Dominic’s eyes were closed, but his ears were obviously still working. “It’s rude t-t-t-to whisper, y-y-you know.”
“And you should be resting, not fretting,” Artemis chided gently and returned to his side. She nodded a farewell to the Northams, then felt Dominic’s hot cheek. “Do you need anything? A cold compress perhaps?”
“Only y-y-your hand,” he murmured, slipping his out from beneath the covers. “Stay with me,” he whispered as she slid her fingers through his.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she returned softly. “I’m here for you.”
She’d never been more sincere about anything in her life.